Jay Rockefeller: “at least half a million American children are living in this country's foster care system--a system that was never…”

“at least half a million American children are living in this country's foster care system--a system that was never designed and never intended to provide a permanent home for children who have been abused and neglected by their parents. Tragically, many of these children could be adopted, but are forced to wait to become a part of a new family because the current child welfare system has become tired and broken. Most vulnerable among this already fragile population are those children with special needs--children who, without help and strong governmental support, will never have the opportunity to become a part of an adoptive family. Acknowledging our collective obligation to let no child fall through the cracks of the system--especially those facing severe emotional, physical, and other circumstantial limitations--I am pleased to have the opportunity to lend my vote and full support to the Promotion of Adoption Safety and Support for Abused and Neglected Children [PASS] Act. This legislation, the produce of a series of hard-fought and sometimes painful compromises, represents a positive first step in a long journey of essential work to be done on behalf of abused and neglected children.”