```

[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 471 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 471

Recognizing that, during National Foster Care Month, the leaders of the 
  Federal, State, and local governments should provide leadership to 
      improve the care given to children in foster care programs.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 9, 2006

 Mr. Coleman (for himself, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. Craig) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Recognizing that, during National Foster Care Month, the leaders of the 
  Federal, State, and local governments should provide leadership to 
      improve the care given to children in foster care programs.

Whereas more than 500,000 children are in foster care programs throughout the 
        United States;
Whereas, while approximately \1/4\ of all children in foster care programs are 
        available for adoption, only about 50,000 foster children are adopted 
        each year;
Whereas many of the children in foster care programs have endured--

    (1) numerous years in the foster care system; and

    (2) frequent moves to and from foster homes;

Whereas approximately 50 percent of foster care children have been placed in 
        foster care programs for longer than 1 year;
Whereas 25 percent of foster care children have been placed in foster care 
        programs for at least 3 years;
Whereas children who spend longer amounts of time in foster care programs often 
        experience worse outcomes than children who are placed for shorter 
        periods of time;
Whereas children who spend time in foster care programs are more likely to--

    (1) become teen parents;

    (2) rely on public assistance when they become adults; and

    (3) interact with the criminal justice system;

Whereas Federal, State, and local governments--

    (1) share a unique relationship with foster children; and

    (2) have removed children from their homes to better provide for the 
safety, permanency, and well-being of the children;

Whereas unfortunately, studies indicate that Federal, State, and local 
        governments have not been entirely successful in caring for foster 
        children;
Whereas Congress recognizes the commitment of Federal, State, and local 
        governments to ensure the safety and permanency of children placed in 
        foster care programs; and
Whereas every child deserves a loving family: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes--
                    (A) May 2006 as ``National Foster Care Month''; and
                    (B) that, during National Foster Care Month, the 
                leaders of the Federal, State, and local governments 
                should rededicate themselves to provide better care to 
                the foster children of the United States; and
            (2) resolves to provide leadership to help identify the 
        role that Federal, State, and local governments should play to 
        ensure that foster children receive appropriate parenting 
        throughout their entire childhood.
                                 <all>
```