Foster Care & Congress

The Hill's Congress Blog released an article about the launch of the newly created Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth. The caucus a bipartisan effort to protect the welfare of all foster children currently in the system and those who have "aged out." It is co-founded by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.) and Rep. Jim Mc Dermott (D-Wash.) was founded in 2011.

They explained that although there have been many improvements in the foster care system, many more need to be made. They will focus on developing policy recommendation's in five primary areas:

1. Safety
2. Permanency
3. Well Being 
4. Educational Opportunities 
5. Youth, Family and Community Engagement. 

The caucus decided their first order of business will be to investigate the possible over-prescription of psychotropic drugs among foster children. The caucus also sponsored a Listening Tour headed by Rep. Karen Bass and Tom Marino. The tour served as an opportunity for Representatives to hear from those who are currently or are alumni of the foster care system, in addition to getting a first hand view of how foster care advocate organizations are run.

This video by The Fostering Media Channel to learn a little more about the Listening Tour: 

Weather your a Democrat, Republican, Independent or really could care less about politics you have to admit it is great to see the government getting involved in improving the foster care system.