Gwen Moore: “Today I am pleased to comment on H.R. 3058, the Recruiting Families Using Data Act. There is an undeniable shortage of…”

“Today I am pleased to comment on H.R. 3058, the Recruiting Families Using Data Act. There is an undeniable shortage of foster care placements in America, and an even more drastic lack of foster families with individual foster parents that can care for our Foster Youth. Furthermore, it is imperative that Congress ensures that foster children receive the highest standards of care in all current and future placements. This includes ensuring the availability placements that can be respectful of all of the individualities that foster youth hold. That is why, in my capacity as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, who has jurisdiction over this legislation, as well as the Chairwoman on the Congressional Caucus on foster youth (otherwise referred to as CCFY) I am proud to support this bill. I will also point out that Congressman Kildee is one of our strongest advocates on the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, and I am a proud cosponsor of this legislation alongside my fellow CCFY cochairs, Representatives Bacon and Scanlon. I often reflect on an instance that occurred when I was age 14, upon a visit to my aunt in my home town. I was awakened in the middle of the night with the police at the door. They ushered in a family of twelve children. My aunt was identified as an emergency placement for these foster youth out of a limited number of adults who had been previously vetted to be foster parents.…”