Sens. Scott, Warnock introduce bill to support expectant and parenting youth with past experience in foster care

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) introduced the Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act to provide young parents who have experienced the foster care system with the necessary resources that allow for healthy pregnancies, stable parenting, and successful transitions into adulthood.

This legislation aims to strengthen families, expand opportunity, and support vulnerable children and youth by supporting evidence-based services, case management, and resource coordination.

"Every child deserves the key to opportunity no matter his or her walk of life," said Sen. Scott. "I am proud to introduce the Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act, which ensures young parents from the foster care system can create stable homes for themselves and their children. By investing in these young parents and providing them with ample resources, we are strengthening families, investing in America's future, and ensuring the door to opportunity remains open for all."

"Too many vulnerable youth in our foster care system are forced to contend with early parenthood while facing the complexities of the foster care system," said Sen. Rev. Warnock. "That is why I am proud to partner with Senator Scott on this crucial bill. Together, we are putting foster youth front and center by expanding access to the Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program through Chafee and providing the resources they and their children need to build brighter, more secure futures."

To reach its goals, the legislation would strengthen the coordination between the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood and the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV).

Background:

• The Chafee Program provides support for children aging out of the foster care system by supporting education, employment, housing, and family-related needs.
• MIECHV supports voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services for pregnant women, new parents, and families with young children.
• This bill would require states to have processes in place to provide eligible foster youth who are expecting or parenting information about services that can improve maternal health, child development, parenting skills, and long-term family stability.
• This bill was included in the Fostering the Future Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
• The Congressional Budget Office does not expect this bill to affect the federal budget.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.