Improving Foster Care for America's Children
I believe we have no greater responsibility as a society than to care for children who have been removed from their home as we would for our own children. Nationwide, over half a million children live in foster care. Our state of California has the largest share; close to 100,000 children in its foster care system. Eight years ago, my wife and I adopted two of our children from foster care. Since then, I have advocated on behalf of adoption and foster children in the California Assembly and in Congress.
 Although foster care was never meant to be a permanent placement for kids, an insufficient number of foster parents and high rates of child abuse have extended foster care stays in recent years, making foster care reform more important than ever.
That is why I am a fighting advocate for the needs of this vulnerable population of children. Additionally, I strongly believe that children in abused and neglected cases need to have specially trained representation in court so that their needs do not get muddled in judicial proceedings and the best interest of the child is safeguarded.
Each year during the month of May I work with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass a resolution recognizing May as National Foster Care Month and declare the sense of the House of Representatives to improve the foster care system in the United States.
Priorities
• Caring for orphans and foster children as our own: Every year 26,000 children are emancipated from foster care on their 18 th birthday loosing critical health coverage. Although we would all like to believe children are self-sufficient at age 18—we know they are not. While most children are nestled into healthcare plans under their parent's policy until age 23, foster children are denied services. I believe it is our moral and societal imperative to care for and provide for these children and we would our own. Parents don't walk out on their kids at 18-neither should we.
• Making sure foster children are not forgotten: Each year by declaring May National Foster Care Month, Congress recognizes the successes and failures of our current foster care system and brings the plight of our foster children to the forefront.
• Defending the child's best interest in the court room: I believe strongly that we must do everything possible to ensure that EVERY foster child has a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer. Without trained advocates we are depriving children who have been abused or neglected critical representation in family court.
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Accomplishments
• I was honored to receive the Child Welfare League of America's “Congressional Voice for Youth” award in February of 2008 in recognition of the work I do in congress on behalf of foster children.
• Foster children are at higher risk to suffer from a myriad of health and social problems. I have introduced legislation that would ensure children who age out of the foster care system receive necessary healthcare until the age of 21.
Press Release on H.R. 1376; See the bill as introduced
• I have introduced legislation that will provide incentives to states and require a Court Appointed Special Advocate be appointed for every child. This will guarantee that all children receive the special attention and care that only CASA volunteers can provide. H.R. 3283 has been referred to the Committee on Ways and Means where it awaits further action.
Press Release on H.R. 3283 ; See the bill as introduced
• On Tuesday May 15, 2007-The House of Representatives passed a resolution I authored, recognizing May as National Foster Care Month and declaring the sense of the House of Representatives to improve the foster care system in the United States . H.Res. 263 was approved by unanimous consent.
Press Release on H.Res. 263 ; See the Resolution as Approved
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