Click here to watch a video of Chairman McDermott's opening statement.

Over the last several years, a number of States have tested innovative approaches that were designed to assist vulnerable children and families. 

These interventions, many of which have had a positive effect in improving the outcomes of children, were made possible through the child welfare waiver demonstration authority provided in the Social Security Act. 

This authority allowed the Department of Health and Human Services to permit a select number of States to waive certain Federal requirements as part of plans to improve certain aspects of their child welfare system.  The legislative authority for the demonstration projects began in fiscal year 1998 and ended in March 2006.  Although the authority has expired, a handful of States continue to have demonstration projects.

The innovative strategies that were successfully tested in States help to inform child welfare policy at the national level. 

Providing assistance to children placed in the home of a relative caretaker is a strategy that began at the State level.  Extending foster care services beyond the age of 18 to help older youth successfully transition into adulthood also began in the States. 

Both of these initiatives became federal policy when they were incorporated into the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act

Since the waiver authority expired, there have been calls to reinstate it so that States can continue to test alternative approaches that address the complex needs of the children and families within their communities. 

I plan to introduce legislation that would restore the child welfare waiver authority and I invite all of my colleagues on the subcommittee to join me as original sponsors on the bill.  The legislation would reinstate the waiver authority for the next five fiscal years, allowing HHS to approve up to 10 demonstration projects per year.  

My support for restoring the waiver authority is not meant to suggest that additional federal investments are not needed in the child welfare system.  Child welfare waivers may give some States additional flexibility in designing targeted interventions. 

However, waivers are not a panacea nor should they be considered a substitute for comprehensive solutions to child welfare financing or the insufficient amount for resources dedicated to early intervention services. 

I will continue to work with my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to develop proposals that will build on the progress we have made with the Fostering Connections legislation so that we can ensure the best outcomes for every child that comes to the attention of the child welfare system.

I look forwarded to hearing from today’s witnesses, and will yield to Mr. Linder for any opening remarks he wishes to make.