Bill Clinton: “I absolutely agree. And I would build on your remarks by adding that if States are not making the safety and well-being…”

“I absolutely agree. And I would build on your remarks by adding that if States are not making the safety and well-being of the child paramount they are endangering their Title-IV-E funds, which is a much larger pot of money than the small amount they receive as a bonus under the Adoption Incentives Program. However, I would also add that it becomes increasingly difficult to guarantee the safety of each child under the care of the State when caseworkers are responsible for excessive caseloads and do not have the training to effectively serve the children in the child welfare system. I would also add that I believe the next important step we need to take to make all adoptions out of foster care successful is to dedicate more resources to post-adoption services, including respite care, mental healthcare, and educational services.”