Bill Overview
Title: Protecting Sibling Relationships in Foster Care Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Administration for Children and Families to establish a competitive pilot grant program for foster care agencies to increase the placement of siblings together in foster care. The bill provides funding for the grants through FY2026.
Sponsors: Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Target Audience
Population: Children in foster care with siblings
Estimated Size: 270000
- The bill aims at the foster care system, which directly involves children who are in foster care, currently almost 407,000 children in the U.S.
- It specifically targets siblings within the foster care system. About two-thirds of these children have siblings in foster care.
- Internationally, the foster care systems may have different structures and statistics, but the concept of sibling placement is a universal challenge in child welfare.
- The well-being of foster parents, agencies, and those working within child welfare will also be impacted as the processes and supports may change.
Reasoning
- The bill primarily impacts children in foster care, specifically siblings, who number around 270,000 in the U.S. It aims to improve their wellbeing by ensuring siblings are placed together more often.
- The policy may not directly affect other children in foster care who do not have siblings or those already placed with siblings.
- Foster parents and agencies are secondary groups impacted as they will need to adjust to new guidelines and may receive funding or support through the grant program.
- Cost is a factor, as $50 million is available in year 1 – this will likely mean focusing on areas with higher numbers of siblings separated in foster care.
- Long-term effects are expected since the pilot program extends through FY2026 and might set precedents for future policy extensions or implementations.
- Some individuals in the system might not notice a change due to budget constraints and focus on sibling reunification.
- Due to the competitive nature of the pilot program, areas with established needs and infrastructure may see more immediate impacts than areas with less initial support.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Kansas City, MO)
Age: 14 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I really miss my siblings and wish we could live together.
- This policy sounds like it could finally help us get placed in the same home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Foster Parent (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's always been tough splitting siblings due to space and logistics.
- If the policy provides more support, it would make such placements easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Foster Care Agency Director (Austin, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with our mission at the agency.
- We hope to be a competitive recipient for the grant to further our work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Social Worker (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There is a big challenge with limited resources for sibling placements.
- The policy funding could dramatically improve our capabilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Foster Parent (Rural Tennessee)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't expect this to change much for me personally.
- It's good for sibling groups but won't affect single child placements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 16 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I just want a chance to see my brother more often.
- Anything that can reunite us is a good thing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Case Manager (Miami, FL)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is promising, especially if it can address the logistic hurdles we face.
- I am hopeful but cautious on the implementation details.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired Social Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen many policies come and go that promised similar changes.
- I hope they have learned from past efforts and really focus on implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
College Student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy comes a bit late for me, but I'm happy for others who might benefit.
- Siblings are so important when everything else changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Student (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 12 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel lucky I already live with my brother.
- Happy to know others like us might have the same chance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $54000000 (Low: $44000000, High: $64000000)
Year 5: $58000000 (Low: $48000000, High: $68000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of the grant program depends on the capabilities and innovations of foster care agencies.
- Engagement with the child welfare community to ensure program acceptance and smooth implementation is crucial.
- Potential differences in implementation costs among various regions and agencies.