DeLauro, Cole Lead Effort to Improve Foster Care Services for Most Vulnerable Youth

WASHINGTON D.C. – Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced legislation today to improve foster care services for thousands of America’s most vulnerable youth. The Quality Foster Care Services Act increases access to quality care by clarifying Medicaid policy that directly affects foster children with special behavioral health needs and/or medical disabilities.

Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) is the evidence-informed, trauma-informed, and highly effective placement of children and youth with serious medical, psychological, emotional and social needs. Under the TFC model, foster parents are given special training to address the needs of youths with major mental health challenges and children receive intensive in-home services to sustain them in the community.

“Our nation’s foster children are among our most vulnerable,” said DeLauro. “Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) is a common-sense alternative to costly and restrictive mental health institutions for struggling foster children and families. But without a standard, national definition that promotes accountability and broadens funding options, TFC will remain out of reach for too many children. I am proud to join Congressman Cole in introducing the Quality Foster Care Services Act of 2014 and urge others to join us in helping some of the most vulnerable children in America today.”

Cole said: “I am pleased to join Congresswoman DeLauro in introducing the Quality Foster Care Services Act. Oklahoma has already shown great leadership in providing quality therapeutic foster care through state licensure and national accreditation of TFC agencies. Extending this same idea in every state would help individuals received quality care but also serve as a check on Medicaid funding.”

TFC provides critical services to about 40,000 foster children across the country. The model works to keep its particularly vulnerable youth out of costly and often ineffective institutional care. Additionally, it provides needed clinical therapy options to youth in lieu of overmedication.

Despite the clear benefits of TFC, current law does not provide for a standard definition of TFC under Medicaid. Though TFC services are provided across the country—and are reimbursed under Medicaid and other child welfare funding streams—the lack of a federal standard definition impairs TFC quality and access. The Quality Foster Care Services Act fixes this problem by establishing a federal Medicaid definition for TFC. This commonsense clarification will promote accountability for states offering TFC, identify financing options, and drive personnel training and standards.

Under the bill’s definition, a qualified TFC program:

· Is licensed by a state and accredited by the appropriate organizations

· Provides structured daily activities and support services

· Offers foster care parents specialized training and consultation

The legislation is endorsed by a significant number of national children’s and mental health organizations including: The Alliance for Children and Families, Child Welfare League of America, Children’s Defense Fund, First Focus, Foster Family-based Treatment Association, KidsPeace, National Council for Community Behavioral Health, National Foster Care Coalition, and Voice for Adoption. Companion legislation is being introduced in the Senate by Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Rob Portman (R-OH).