2024 Year in Review: Key Child Welfare Legislation

As we say farewell to 2024, let’s take a moment to pause and reflect on the strides made in child welfare policy over the past year. This year brought forward pivotal legislative efforts designed to address deep-seated challenges, modernize outdated systems, and prioritize the well-being of children and families nationwide.

For the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), these legislative advancements resonate deeply with our mission to champion the mental health needs of adoptive, foster, and kinship families while advocating for systemic changes that foster stability and care. Each of thebillslisted below from this year serves as a testament to the growing recognition of the complexities faced by children in the child welfare system and the urgent need to provide them with comprehensive support.

From measures focused on workforce development to proposals that aim to strengthen kinship care and youth transitions, the policy landscape in 2024 has been marked by hope and progress. These efforts highlight not only the importance of collaboration between policymakers, advocates, and communities but also the undeniable potential of creating a brighter future for this vulnerable population.

The following legislative highlights illustrate this momentum:

• Strengthening family preservation through initiatives aimed at addressing economic challenges and fostering access to relevant support.
• Investing in the child welfare workforce to ensure that professionals are well-equipped to meet the nuanced needs of children and families.
• Enhancing post-adoption and kinship services to provide a safety net for caregivers and help families navigate their unique journeys.
• Improving transitions for youth aging out of foster care with resources to promote stability and independence.

H.R. 8814: Strengthening Evidence-based Prevention Services Act
This bill focuses on reforming the Federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Clearinghouse to ensure timely review and approval of community-based, evidence-informed programs like those offered by C.A.S.E. By promoting transparency and efficiency, the legislation aims to expand access to innovative child welfare services.

• Status: Under committee review in the House Ways and Means Committee.
• Relevance to C.A.S.E.: This bill’s goals align with C.A.S.E.’s advocacy for adoption-competent therapy to be recognized as an essential intervention for adoptive and foster families.

H.R. 8810: Ensuring Legal Representation for Child Welfare Act
This bipartisan legislation proposes federal funding to ensure that children and families in the child welfare system have access to qualified legal representation, safeguarding their rights and promoting fair outcomes.

• Status: Progressing through the legislative process, gaining bipartisan support and endorsements from child welfare organizations.
• Relevance to C.A.S.E.: By reducing systemic barriers, this bill aligns with C.A.S.E.’s mission to support family stability and mental health through its adoption-competent therapy and advocacy efforts.

H.R. 8793: Foster Care Adoption Oversight and Support Act

Aimed at strengthening oversight of foster care adoption programs, this legislation prioritizes funding for post-adoption services, ensuring that children and families receive the support needed for long-term success.

• Status: Early stages of legislative consideration.
• Relevance to C.A.S.E.: Highlights the critical role of post-adoption services, reinforcing the need for adoption-competent mental health care that C.A.S.E. provides.

H.R. 9076: Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act

A comprehensive bill aimed at modernizing child welfare systems to better serve children, families, and caseworkers. This legislation reauthorizes child welfare programs under part B of Title IV of the Social Security Act and strengthens State and Tribal child support enforcement programs. By addressing systemic barriers and introducing critical supports for children and families, particularly those navigating the challenges of adoption, foster care, and kinship care, the bill takes a holistic approach to improving child welfare outcomes.

• Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
• Relevance to C.A.S.E.: This legislation aligns closely with C.A.S.E.’s missionby addressing critical issues such as family post-adoption services and support, strengthening kinship care, and workforce development.

What’s Next in 2025

As we step into 2025, C.A.S.E. remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for policies that address the unique and complex needs of families impacted by the child welfare system. Building on the progress and momentum of 2024, we will continue to champion innovation, collaboration, and systemic reform to create meaningful, lasting change for children, youth, and families.

With a shared vision of support, we will carry forward the work of shaping a brighter future—one where every child and family is empowered to thrive in a nurturing and stable environment. Together, we are transforming the landscape of child welfare and fostering hope for generations to come.