VFA Policy Intern Blog Post: Every Child Deserves a Family Act
Although I have only spent a few weeks working with Voice For Adoption, and participating in the advocacy work for our nation’s waiting foster care children; I knew even before having this experience that no matter what, every child deserves to be a part of a family and be loved. I was truly blessed with an incredible family and know without a doubt that I have matured and developed because of their constant love and support. Due to this privilege, it breaks my heart knowing that there are children in our country that our hindered because they are without something that many of us take for granted, a family.
"...it breaks my heart knowing that there are children in our country that our hindered because they are without something that many of us take for granted, a family."
The Every Child Deserves a Family Act was proposed to the Senate in June of 2017, which states that no adoption or foster care agency can discriminate against a family or foster child due to their sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.[1] This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring that these families are able to adopt and foster, a child is not delayed or denied foster care and/or an adoption placement, and that no further screening is required due to this identification. The Every Child Deserves a Family Act has been cosponsored by 8 other senators and is now being reviewed in the Senate Finance Committee.
It may seem like a given that this bill would be supported and passed through, however the many organizations that have joined the campaign are facing resistance because individuals are failing to put the child’s best interest first. Many of the counter arguments that are proposed express a concern that certain agencies are going to have to go against their own beliefs and wishes if this bill is passed. However, with this view point in mind, you are placing the members of the agencies ahead of these vulnerable children, which goes against their purpose to begin with.
Additionally, based on scientific evidence through extensive research, there are countless developmental, psychological, and physical benefits to having a caretaker/family. From a developmental standpoint, Betty Hart and Todd Risley from the American Psychology Association conducted a study comparing a child with a family/support system at the age of 1 and 2 years old versus another child whom was without that family network. The striking results from this comparison showed that the child who had the privilege of a family had more advanced vocabulary skills, a higher IQ score and overall a greater performance in school related task. [2] Continuously, an abundance of research has been developed in regards to the attachment theory. An overwhelming amount of psychologist have concluded that the psychological and mental health issues that children will face with an insecure attachment to a parental figure, compared to a secure attachment, is devastatingly large.[3] For example, research suggests that those with an insecure attachment in their adolescents are the most prone to anxiety, depression and a diminished ability to maintain healthy social relationships with others.[4] Overall, in addition to the joy and support that families can potentially provide to these children, there are countless other benefits that are taken for granted.
Clearly, the prosperity of having a family and loved ones to care for an individual are substantial. Therefore, it is obvious that children in the foster care system are facing a great risk. As a nation we should ensure that once a family attains their foster care license there are no other extraneous limits on their ability to foster and adopt children. Especially since there is a desperate need for more families to volunteer their home and support these vulnerable children, it almost seems implied that our agencies would not want to limit them any further. However, that is simply not the case. Many states are pushing to allow agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ and religiously diverse families and foster children. Some even declaring that these families are unfit and once again go against the beliefs of the agency. However, this action deliberately goes against many of the efforts of not only these agencies but also many of the nonprofits and corporations advocating for these vulnerable children.
Overall, at VFA we are advocates for these waiting children therefore we support this bill in hopes that it will accomplish one of the goals of this organization which is to find homes for all of these vulnerable children. As a member of the campaign for this bill, we are lobbying to have bipartisan support in order to have this bill quickly passed through the Senate and House. If you would like to help in these efforts you can contact your representative. (To contact a representative: Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard to Connect with your legislators office by phone: (202) 224-3121, A switchboard operator with connect you directly with a legislators office that you request.) Overall, at VFA we are anxiously waiting for more to be done and for this bill to become a law.
[1] “S.1303 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Every Child Deserves a Family Act.” Congress.gov, 7 June 2017, www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1303.
[2] Hart, Betty, and Todd R. Risley. Meaningful differences in the everyday experience of young American children. Paul H Brookes Publishing, 1995.
[3] Bowlby, John. A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. Basic books, 2008.
[4] Same as above.
