Jay Rockefeller: “I rise before you today to introduce the Keeping Families Safe Act of 2008 which seeks to keep families together when a…”

“I rise before you today to introduce the Keeping Families Safe Act of 2008 which seeks to keep families together when a parent is in a residential substance abuse treatment facility. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of keeping families united as a parent undergoes substance abuse treatment. In fact, one study found that 60 percent of mothers who participated in the Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Their Infants program were completely clean and sober six months after their discharge. This same study found that 88 percent of these children were still with their mothers six months after the mother was discharged. However, only 5 percent of all substances abuse treatment facilities are able to accommodate children. Congress has shown support for comprehensive family based substance abuse treatment facilities in the past. In 2006, Congress passed the Deficit Reduction Act, which included a $40 million grant program, to promote two key goals, substance abuse services for families in the child welfare system, and regular caseworker visits. The Keeping Families Safe Act is one way to invest in children and families. This legislation would allow children, who are in foster care, to be with their parent while he or she is receiving treatment at residential comprehensive family-based substance abuse treatment centers. These facilities provide comprehensive services to both parent and child.”