On April 27, 2023, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to improve recruitment, retention, and support for foster parents. Across the nation, states are facing a growing shortage of appropriate foster placement for children, undermining federal legislation and policy that has pushed to reduce the use of congregate care and leaving children sleeping in hotels, offices, and other unsafe circumstances.
The Recruiting Families Using Data Act would make the diligent recruitment plan requirements currently in Title IV-B more robust and require states to use a data-driven approach to recruiting foster parents. Additionally, it would call for states to provide more opportunities for input from foster parents through foster parent advisory boards when making these plans.
Representatives Dan Kildee (D-MI) and Randy Feenstra (R-IA) will introduce companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, ensuring bipartisan support in both chambers. This bill could potentially be included in a reauthorization of Title IV-B later this year.
