Vern Buchanan: “The Nation is in the grips of an opioid and heroin epidemic, which, according to States, is responsible for recent…”

“The Nation is in the grips of an opioid and heroin epidemic, which, according to States, is responsible for recent spikes in the need for out-of-home foster care placement after more than a decade of decline. Under current child welfare financing, when a family is struggling, the majority of Federal dollars are only available if the State removes a child from his or her biological and adoptive home and places that child in foster care. Even though it is often less expensive and more effective to keep a child safely at home, Federal support for these types of prevention services are extremely limited. Children who are raised by the State in foster care face increased risks of substance abuse, homelessness, teen pregnancy, and other negative outcomes. The Family First Prevention Services Act of 2016 will reverse the current trends by supporting early, evidence-based, cost-effective interventions to keep children safely at home. This will increase the likelihood of positive short-term and long-term outcomes for both children and their parents. Moreover, it will ensure that children who do not need foster care are appropriately placed with families whenever possible.…”