THE FOSTERING CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS AND INCREASING ADOPTIONS ACT OF 2008

In response to the growing need for federal foster care reform, President George W. Bush signed into law the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act (P.L. 110-351) on October 7, 2008.

The act promotes family permanence for children waiting to be adopted and enable more children to leave foster care safely and permanently to the security of relative guardians. In addition, provisions in this act greatly contribute to improving the lives of children currently in foster care by extending and enhancing previously available services, particularly to American Indian children and older youth.

This landmark legislation provides clear mandates to public child welfare systems to support lifelong families for children in foster care, as well as for better long-term outcomes after exiting care. The National Foster Care Coalition (NFCC) is dedicated to supporting public systems in responding to the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act by sharing information provided by our members and offering technical assistance to child welfare systems.

To learn more about the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, please review the following summary documents:

• The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act Summary, the National Foster Care Coalition (2009)
• Older Youth Provisions of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, the National Foster Care Coalition (2009)
• Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Summary, Children's Defense Fund and Center for Law and Social Policy (2008)
• FAQ: Youth and Young Adults Provisions of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, the National Foster Care Coalition (2009)
• Guiding Principles for Implementation of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 Provisions Addressing Older Youth, the National Foster Care Coalition (2009)

Additional resources related to the Act, include:

• New Help for Children Raised by Grandparents and Other Relatives: Questions and Answers About the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
• Draft Compilation of Changes to Titles IV-B, IV-E, and Related Sections of the Social Security Act as a Result of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
• Extending Support for Foster Youth Beyond Age 18: State Bills Introduced in the Wake of the Fostering Connections Act
• The Fostering Connections Channel on YouTube

If you are an NFCC member, and would like to add resources to this list, please contact Kathi Crowe.

MEMBER PROJECT PROFILES

Helping Teens Help Themselves

The Healthy Teen Network recently released, “Helping Teens Help Themselves." Pregnant and parenting teens exiting foster care face the challenge of trying to raise a child, often without a network. Access to supportive housing programs is one way to provide shelter and the social supports necessary for successful transitions. Healthy Teen Network’s blueprint represents a multi-year, multidisciplinary approach to increase supportive housing options for pregnant and parenting teens exiting foster care.