HR7419-119

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Social Security Act section 426 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award three demonstration grants of not more than $1 million to foster care stabilization agencies. Grantees have three years to spend the money and return unused funds. Applications must explain emergency relief and pre-placement service uses, and HHS must post solicitations on the Administration for Children and Families website with special dissemination to rural areas, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. Permitted uses include hiring personnel, clothing and personal necessities up to $250 per foster youth per year, food and equipment, abuse and neglect prevention or response, emergency assistance for safety and self-sufficiency, and other Secretary-approved purposes. HHS reserves $45,000 for administration, oversight, and technical assistance, and must report to Congress on spending, services, clothing and necessities, case outcomes, and home transfers.

Who Benefits and How

Foster youth waiting for placement benefit from emergency relief, clothing and necessities, food supports, safety services, and improved pre-placement support. Local public and nonprofit foster care stabilization agencies benefit from grant funding and a three-year spending window. Rural communities, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations benefit from required outreach about grant opportunities.

Who Bears the Burden and How

HHS and the Administration for Children and Families must run the grant competition, reserve administrative funds, oversee grantees, provide technical assistance, and report outcome data to Congress. Foster care stabilization agencies must apply, document intended uses, track spending, provide services, return unused funds after three years, and provide data on clothing, services, case outcomes, and home transfers.

Key Provisions

• Requires HHS to award three demonstration grants of up to $1 million each to foster care stabilization agencies.
• Allows grant funds for personnel, clothing and personal necessities up to $250 per foster youth per year, food equipment, abuse and neglect services, emergency assistance, and Secretary-approved uses.
• Requires public ACF posting and special outreach to rural areas, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
• Requires grantees to spend funds within three years and return unused amounts, with $45,000 reserved for administration, oversight, and technical assistance.
• Requires a congressional report on emergency relief, pre-placement services, necessities provided, case outcomes, and home transfers.