Promoting Permanency Through Kinship Families Act
Summary
The "Promoting Permanency Through Kinship Families Act" aims to improve the child welfare system by prioritizing kinship care for children who cannot safely remain in their own homes. It amends Title IV of the Social Security Act to remove barriers to kinship guardianship, foster, and adoptive placements. The Act emphasizes family finding, support services for kin caregivers, and reduces the time requirement for kinship guardianship assistance eligibility.
Expected Effects
This Act will likely increase the number of children placed with relatives or fictive kin, reducing the number of children aging out of foster care. It also mandates states to actively seek out and support kinship placements. The Act also aims to provide greater stability and permanency for children in the child welfare system.
Potential Benefits
- Increased placement of children with relatives, promoting stability and family connections.
- Reduced likelihood of negative outcomes for youth aging out of foster care, such as homelessness and involvement in the criminal justice system.
- Greater access to resources and support services for kinship caregivers.
- Streamlined processes for kinship guardianship assistance.
- Prioritization of family involvement in case planning and decision-making.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative burden on state child welfare agencies.
- Possible challenges in ensuring consistent and thorough criminal record checks for all kinship caregivers.
- Risk of overlooking potential safety concerns in the rush to prioritize kinship placements.
- Potential for increased costs to states for providing support services to kinship families.
- Possible delays in permanency if kinship placements are not thoroughly vetted.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by promoting the well-being of children and families. It also respects the Tenth Amendment by allowing states flexibility in implementing child welfare programs, while setting federal standards. The emphasis on due process and fair treatment within the child welfare system aligns with the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).