Diligent Recruitment Bills Introduced in Congress
Legislation updating federal requirements for the diligent recruitment of demographically representative foster and adoptive parents has been reintroduced in both the Senate and House.
The legislation, called the Recruiting Families Using Data Act (S. 1313, HR 3058), is very similar to bipartisan legislation introduced in the last session of Congress. That legislation did not move – primarily because the larger bill to which it would have been attached, a reauthorization of Title IV-B programs, was not taken up in either chamber. Adoption and child welfare advocates are hoping that it will be enacted this year or next.
Both of this year’s bills, which are identical and have been endorsed by Voice for Adoption, would require the following:
Family Partnership Plans: Existing state recruitment plan requirements are updated to mandate consultation with foster and adoptive families. These new plans must include –
data-driven goals and outcome measures;
notification and engagement with kin;
targeted and child-specific recruitment;
youth engagement in recruitment efforts; and
foster family advisory boards.
State Data Collection: States are directed to –
report the number, demographics, and characteristics of foster and adoptive families;
report the number of families that are not being fully utilized and why;
report the number and demographics of children in congregate care settings;
provide a summary of feedback from foster and adoptive parents regarding licensing, training, support, and reasons why foster families stop taking placements; and
provide an analysis of the state’s barriers to recruiting and using families that reflect the diversity of the kids in foster care.
HHS Report: The Department of Health and Human Services is directed to include state-by-state data (as noted above) in their annual child welfare outcomes report to Congress.
The legislation, if enacted, becomes effective October 1, 2024. Delays are allowed where compliance would require action by a state’s legislature.
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