Q&A: Foster Care Month

Q&A: Foster Care Month

With U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley

Q: What prompted your advocacy for kids in foster care?

A: I work to strengthen child welfare policies, help families thrive and empower the next generation to become productive contributors in society. Three decades ago, one of my staff members - who was adopted at three-months-old by her parents - inspired me to get involved in this policy issue. I've been leading legislative and oversight work ever since. Today, that former member of my staff and proud Iowan works with First Lady Melania Trump on this issue among others.

For 250 years, the strength and resilience of the American family is the bedrock of our society. Families shape the moral code in future leaders, nurturing empathy and integrity, passing down lifelong lessons of responsibility, discipline and love for one's neighbor from one generation to the next. Time and time again, I hear from young people who've been placed in foster care that they just want a mom and dad and a permanent place to call home.

In 2009, I joined efforts with Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana to launch a bipartisan Senate Caucus to give foster youth a more direct voice at the policymaking table. Foster care is intended to be a temporary haven to keep children safe from neglect and abuse. In too many cases, children shuffle through the system and eventually "age-out" of foster care into adulthood. The Senate Caucus on Foster Youth has gathered input and ideas from foster care alumni and child welfare specialists to improve programs and fix what's not working. As co-founder of the caucus, I observed a decade of bipartisan advocacy in 2019. With current co-chair Sen. Ben Luján of New Mexico, we're continuing to give older youth a platform and welcome their unique perspectives on improving foster parent recruitment and retention and boosting better outcomes as they enter adulthood.

At the policymaking tables, I've secured and expanded incentives to help families with adoption expenses, including foster-care adoptions. From the Senate Finance Committee, I've led efforts to help troubled families stay intact, provided federal support for extended foster care services for older youth and pushed to overhaul the child welfare system to allow states to use federal money for kinship care and to provide prevention services for at-risk families.

Q: What are your most recent efforts in support of older youth in foster care?

A: No matter the age, every child deserves a safe, permanent home. When vulnerable kids are traumatized by neglect, abuse or separation, state child welfare agencies oversee the foster care system while seeking family reunification or adoption. Since 2019, the number of kids placed in foster care has been declining, but there's more work to do. At the end of fiscal year 2025, 331,747 young people were in care, including 3,365 in Iowa. Teens in foster care face unique barriers to transition to adulthood, particularly if they exit foster care without permanent family care.

Building on my efforts to improve recruitment, retention and support for foster parents, I've reintroduced bipartisan legislation to help address the nationwide shortage of qualified foster parents. My bill would direct the states to integrate quality data and best practices so that foster kids and parents have the support and resources they need.

Most recently, I introduced bipartisan legislation to help ensure older youth in foster care are better prepared for transition into adulthood. The Informed Foster Youth Act would require those age 14 years and older are aware that federal law requires their vital documents are provided to them when they exit care, including an official copy of their birth certificate, Social Security card and driver's license or state ID card. Moreover, it would ensure they are aware of the services available to them under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood and information about eligibility and enrollment for Medicaid. Plus, each time a child is placed in care, their health and education records would be updated and made available to foster parents or care providers.

As we celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I'm working to help ensure the next generation - including kids placed in foster care - can achieve their full potential and seek the promises of the American Dream.

Senator Grassley leads the annual bipartisan Senate resolution designating May as National Foster Care Month to recognize foster parents, child welfare professionals and volunteers who support kids placed in foster care.

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