Kelly backs foster care, pro-family bills during Ways & Means markup

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted in favor of a series of six bipartisan bills modernizing the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood.

The markup follows a roundtable featuring First Lady Melania Trump earlier this month, during which she advocated for these pro-family policies as part of her Fostering the Future Initiative.

"Strong families create strong communities. We must ensure families and children are set up for success, so no one has to endure hardships and trauma when all they are seeking is a loving home," Rep. Kelly said. "Children are 25 percent of our population, but they are 100 percent of our future."

The bills are:

• H.R. 7432, the "Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act"
• H.R. 7463, the "Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act"
• H.R. 7343, the "Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act"
• H.R. 7529, the “Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act"
• H.R. 7655, the “Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act"
• H.R. 7995, the “Chafee Opportunities for New Networks and Existing Connection Trust (CONNECT) Act”

BACKGROUND

Each year, nearly 16,000 foster youth age out of the foster care program. Young adults who age out of foster care at age 18 experience high rates of homelessness and are less likely to graduate from high school, gain employment, or enroll in post-secondary education compared to their peers. 

The Government Accountability Office published a report last year that found states have been returning Chafee funds since at least 2007. Each year, 30 or so states return about $6 to $11 million, despite evidence of unmet need.

Learn more about Rep. Kelly's work supporting foster care initiatives here and here.