“I am delighted that Congressmen Fattah and Souder have introduced the Adoption Improvement Act in the House of Representatives,”
“Every child needs a loving family and a place to call home,” said Congressman Fattah. “Tens of thousands of children linger in foster care for years waiting for the security that a stable home offers. This legislation brings their dream of feeling part of a permanent family just a little bit closer,” Fattah added.
The Adoption Improvement Act of 2008 will assist child welfare agencies in their mission to find permanent homes for children in foster care. The legislation establishes a demonstration project to help child welfare agencies retain prospective adoptive parents throughout the complicated adoption process. Agencies will design programs based on recommendations from child welfare research and include components such as an adoption hotline; specialized professionals to answer adoption inquiries proficiently and sensitively;
A recent study conducted by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, Harvard University, and the Urban Institute found that, although there is generally considerable public interest in adopting children from foster care, there are institutional barriers within the child welfare system that prevent waiting children from finding permanent, loving homes. The study showed that due to challenges in navigating the adoption process, only a fraction of prospective parents follow through to adopt. Of the 240,000 prospective parents who inquire annually about becoming adoptive parents, only 6 percent complete the home study component, which is a requirement leading to adoption.
Senator Clinton has long been an advocate for increasing and improving the adoption of children from foster care. As First Lady, Senator Clinton worked with Congress to establish the Adoption Incentives program, and in the Senate she has fought to increase the adoption tax credit, and has co-sponsored legislation aimed at increasing adoptions of foster children with special needs.
