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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 533 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 533

   Recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise 
 awareness about the challenges of children in the foster care system 
 and encouraging Congress to implement policy to improve the lives of 
                  children in the foster care system.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 17, 2010

 Ms. Landrieu (for herself, Mr. Grassley, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Levin, Mr. 
Cardin, Mr. Begich, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Inhofe, Ms. Collins, Ms. Snowe, Mr. 
Bayh, Mr. Franken, Mr. Akaka, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Nelson 
 of Nebraska, Mr. Casey, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Specter, Mr. Cochran, and Mr. 
 Lautenberg) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
                             and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise 
 awareness about the challenges of children in the foster care system 
 and encouraging Congress to implement policy to improve the lives of 
                  children in the foster care system.

Whereas all children deserve a safe, loving, and permanent home;
Whereas approximately 500,000 children in the United States live in foster care 
        each year;
Whereas children enter the foster care system for a variety of reasons, 
        including inadequate care, abuse, or neglect by a parent or guardian;
Whereas the major factors that contribute to the placement of a child in the 
        foster care system include substance abuse, mental illness, poverty, and 
        a lack of education of a parent or guardian of the child;
Whereas a child entering the foster care system must confront the widespread 
        misperception that children in foster care are disruptive, unruly, and 
        dangerous, even though placement in the foster care system is based on 
        the actions of a parent or guardian, not the child;
Whereas States and communities should be provided with the resources to invest 
        in preventative and reunification services and post-permanency programs 
        to ensure that more children in the foster care system are provided 
        safe, loving, permanent placements;
Whereas the foster care system is intended to be a temporary solution, yet 
        children remain in the foster care system for an average of 3 years;
Whereas children of color are disproportionately represented in the foster care 
        system and are less likely to be reunited with their biological 
        families;
Whereas the average child in the foster care system--

    (1) is 10 years old; and

    (2) will be placed in 3 different homes, leading to disruptive 
transfers to new schools, separation from siblings, and unfamiliar 
surroundings;

Whereas most children ``age out'' of the foster care system at the age of 18;
Whereas the number of children who enter the foster care system each year has 
        declined over the decade preceding the date of the agreement to this 
        resolution, but the number of children who ``age out'' of the foster 
        care system without placement with a permanent family has increased 
        substantially, rising from 20,000 children in 2002 to 29,000 children in 
        2008;
Whereas children who ``age out'' of the foster care system lack the security or 
        support of a biological or adoptive family and frequently struggle to 
        secure affordable housing, obtain health insurance, pursue higher 
        education, and acquire adequate employment;
Whereas, of the children who have ``aged out'' of the foster care system--

    (1) 25 percent have been homeless;

    (2) 51 percent have been unemployed for significant stretch of time, 
and

    (3) only 2 percent have obtained a bachelor's degree or higher;

Whereas, by age 19, approximately 50 percent of young women who have been in the 
        foster care system have been pregnant, compared to only 20 percent of 
        young women who have been not in the foster care system;
Whereas research reveals that children born to teen parents are exposed to 
        serious and high risks;
Whereas National Foster Care Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about 
        the special needs of children in the foster care system and to recognize 
        the important role that foster parents, social workers, and advocates 
        have in the lives of children in foster care throughout the United 
        States;
Whereas the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 
        2008 (Public Law 110-351; 122 Stat. 3949) provides for new investments 
        and services to improve the outcomes of children and families in the 
        foster care system; and
Whereas much remains to be done to ensure that all children have a safe, loving, 
        nurturing, and permanent family, regardless of age or special needs: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes National Foster Care Month as an opportunity 
        to raise awareness about the challenges of children in the 
        foster care system;
            (2) encourages Congress to implement policy to improve the 
        lives of children in the foster care system;
            (3) supports the designation of a ``National Foster Care 
        Month'';
            (4) acknowledges the needs of the children in the foster 
        care system;
            (5) honors the commitment and dedication of those 
        individuals who work tirelessly to provide assistance and 
        services to children in the foster care system; and
            (6) recognizes the need to continue working to improve the 
        outcomes of all children in the foster care system through 
        title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and 
        other programs designed to help children in the foster care 
        system--
                    (A) reunite with their biological parents; or
                    (B) if the children cannot be reunited with their 
                biological parents, find permanent, safe, and loving 
                homes.
                                 <all>
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