NOTICIAS

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today introduced the State Flexibility for Family First Transitions Act, legislation to extend waivers for states receiving Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, the entitlement that pays for foster care and adoption, to allow for greater funding and flexibility for foster care and child welfare recipients beyond the current federal baseline. Set to expire in September 2019, the legislation would extend the Title IV-E waiver by two years, which would allow states to receive an extension up until the full implementation of the Family First Act. It would also require that states verify to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) how they intend to use the extension to transition to the programs supported by the Family First Act.
 
“We must do all we can to support families and communities taking care of children in need,” Rubio said. “By extending this waiver by two years, this bill will ensure that foster families and families receiving child welfare have the support they need in the interim before the Family First Act takes effect.”
 
“Several California counties receive waivers that provide flexibility and allow child welfare funds to be used for additional services including case management, behavioral health support, home visitation and therapeutic services,” Feinstein said. “Our bill extends that waiver for two years to give the state and counties additional time to comply with new federal standards, while continuing to provide care to vulnerable children.”