A resolution ensuring that the adoption and foster care system in the United States is child-centered and compassionate and that young people aging out of foster care are provided with adequate support and resources to transition successfully to independent adulthood.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 516 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 516

Ensuring that the adoption and foster care system in the United States 
is child-centered and compassionate and that young people aging out of 
    foster care are provided with adequate support and resources to 
           transition successfully to independent adulthood.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 20, 2025

    Mr. Husted (for himself and Mr. Kaine) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Ensuring that the adoption and foster care system in the United States 
is child-centered and compassionate and that young people aging out of 
    foster care are provided with adequate support and resources to 
           transition successfully to independent adulthood.

Whereas more than 340,000 children and youth in the United States are currently 
        in foster care, and more than 100,000 of those children are eligible for 
        adoption, many having experienced trauma, neglect, or instability before 
        entering the system;
Whereas the purpose of foster care is to provide safe, nurturing, and temporary 
        care for children who cannot safely remain with their families while 
        working toward reunification or another permanent, loving home;
Whereas children and youth in foster care often experience placement 
        instability, separation from siblings, and educational disruption, all 
        of which require specialized care and individualized support;
Whereas the well-being of children in foster care depends on transparency, 
        accountability, and oversight to ensure that State and private agencies 
        operate with integrity, compassion, and fairness;
Whereas foster parents, kinship caregivers, and adoptive parents should be 
        equipped with the training, resources, and emotional supports needed to 
        meet children's developmental needs;
Whereas approximately 20,000 young people age out of foster care each year 
        without permanent family connections, leaving many at increased risk of 
        homelessness, unemployment, mental health challenges, and involvement 
        with the criminal justice system;
Whereas ethical and compassionate foster care extends beyond childhood, 
        requiring sustained support for youth transitioning to adulthood through 
        education, housing, employment, and relational permanency; and
Whereas the United States has a strong moral and civic duty to ensure that every 
        child in the adoption and foster care system, and every young adult who 
        leaves that system has the chance to thrive and make meaningful 
        contributions to their communities: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) affirms that compassion, transparency, ethics, and 
        accountability must guide every aspect of the adoption and 
        foster care system in the United States;
            (2) emphasizes that the safety, well-being, and long-term 
        stability of the child must remain the paramount consideration 
        in all adoption and foster care decisions;
            (3) encourages Federal, State, and local governments to 
        strengthen policies and programs that prioritize family 
        preservation and reunification whenever safe for the child, 
        provide adequate training and emotional support for adoptive, 
        foster, and kinship caregivers, and improve oversight and 
        training mechanisms designed to prevent neglect or abuse within 
        the adoption and foster care system and reduce placement 
        disruptions;
            (4) recognizes that youth who age out of foster care may 
        require support in finding education and employment 
        opportunities, housing, mental health services, and positive 
        mentors;
            (5) honors the commitment of adoptive and foster parents, 
        kinship caregivers, social workers, judges, case managers, and 
        child advocates; and
            (6) calls upon Congress, the Administration, and all State 
        and local child welfare systems to work collaboratively toward 
        a future in which every child in the adoption and foster care 
        system is cared for ethically, supported compassionately, and 
        given the foundation to thrive in stable family and community 
        relationships.
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