In the world of foster care, adoption and kinship care there is ample room for change and improvement. The following issues are the current focus on our Legislative Advocacy work in 2024:
New York State Legislative Issues
The following legislation and issues are current priorities of the Coalition during this legislative session.
Enforcement of Foster Care Maintenance Payments | NYS S7054/A4027
This bill would stop the counties form collecting child support/ foster care maintenance payments from impacted parents who have children taken into care and assists with successful family reunification.
Family Miranda Rights | NYS S901/A1980
Requires child protective services to disclose information to parents and caretakers who are the subject of a child protective services investigation regarding the rights of the person under investigation.
Considering a KinGap Expansion for Permanency in Older Children | 2024
We believe the extension of the definition of a “prospective relative guardian” for those older children stuck in foster care will provide additional permanency options for youth in danger of again out.
Support Anti-Harassment in Reporting Bill | S902/ A2479
The Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York strongly advocates for the passage of Senate Bill S902; this legislation seeks to replace the system of anonymous reporting with one of confidential reporting.
The Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York has signed on in support and/or is part of the following New York State based initiatives:
- The Child & Family Wellbeing Fund
- The Children and Families Reinvestment Act
- Raise the Age Coalition
- New York Office of the Child Welfare Advocate
Fair and Legal Foster Care Reimbursement Lawsuit
In July 2010, the Coalition filed a lawsuit against the State of New York to compel the state to reimburse foster parents for the actual costs associated with children placed in their care; as these costs are described in the Child Welfare Act. On December 22, 2021, the Coalition and New York state reached a settlement!
Federal Legislation and Policy
On a national level, the following bills and proposed policy changes are worthy of attention:
The Equal Citizenship for Children Act | federal bill HR1386
IN SUPPORT: Equal Citizenship for Children Act would help intercountry adoptees who are without US citizenship by amending current immigration law, plus making the changes and the law retroactive for people born after 1940.
The Adoption Counts Act | federal bill HR6700
IN SUPPORT! HR 6700 would require state courts to report the number of private adoptions each year to the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The ADOPT Act | federal bill HR6220
IN SUPPORT: HR 6220 seeks to reduce unregulated and unethical practices in adoption and prevents the commodification of children.
The PAPA Act (Protecting All Parents and Adoptees) | federal bill HR6529
The Protecting All Parents and Adoptees (PAPA) Act would link existing state putative father registries creating a comprehensive national resource to "protect" father's rights and remove barriers in domestic infant adoption.
As New York’s foster, kinship and adoptive family association, the Coalition is the voice for all families touched by the child welfare system. Since our founding, we have worked to create positive change that will directly benefit the children in our care. This work continues today and throughout the year.
On a systemic level, our efforts have resulted in:
- Increased foster care boarding rates across the state.
- Three separate vetoes of the concerning Preserving Family Bonds Act
- Improved adoption and foster care regulations and legislation.
- Statewide post adoption services.
- Restored equality to adult adoptees to access their original birth certificates.
- Establishment of a strong adoption subsidy program.
- Expanded publicity for children waiting for an adoptive family.
- Improved training for adoption and foster care caseworkers.
- Greater accountability from the NYS Office of Children and Family Services and local Departments of Social Services
Do you have a question about the Coalition’s position on an issue? Contact Pat O’Brien, Executive Director at 646-688-4321 or pat@affcny.org.