Foster Care Policy Analysis

Words: 394
Pages: 2

Current United States Foster Care Policies In 1980, congress passed a piece of legislature to help keep more families united. The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act was meant to "prevent the unnecessary removal of children from their families and to promote reunification if foster placement has occurred" (Alexander & Alexander, 1995). However, for foster youth who are unable to return to their families, find adoptive homes, or find permanent guardianship by the age of 18, independence becomes the only option. To help youth achieve successful transition to independent living, The John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Act (FCIA) was created in 1999. Under this act, states could receive grants to assist youth exiting the system with …show more content…
This was a significant development because the added years of foster care could prepare youth to for more stable lives afterwards, less prone to homelessness, lack of finances, limited access to healthcare and other challenges.
References
Alexander Jr., R., & Alexander, C. L. (1995). The Impact of Suter v. Artist M. on Foster Care Policy. Social Work, 40(4), 543-548. Court Case
American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) (2014) Creating Access to Opportunities for Youth in Transition from Foster Care, An AYPF Policy Brief AYPF Policy Brief Page 7-9
An Office of Administration for Children and Families Published June 18th, 2012 http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/resource/chafee-foster-care-program
Barbell, Kathy & Freundlich, Madelyn Foster Care Today http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/downloads/policy-issues/foster_care_today.pdf
Oldmixon, Sarah (2007) NGA Center for Best Practices http://www.nga.org/files/live/sites/NGA/files/pdf/0701YOUTH.PDF
Runaway Youth and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5601 note)