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To: Ryan_Carey@finance.senate.gov

Repeal title 4E Federal Funding

Title IV-E of the Social Security Act provides federal funding to states for the care of children in foster care and for preventive services aimed at keeping families together. While the program has its merits, there are several reasons why it may not be appropriate in its current form and could benefit from repeal or reform to better serve families rather than states. Here are some key points:

1. **Incentivizes Foster Care Over Prevention**: Title IV-E funding primarily supports the foster care system, which can create a financial incentive for states to place children in foster care rather than invest in preventive services that could keep families together. This can lead to unnecessary family separations and a focus on reactive rather than proactive solutions.

2. **Limited Flexibility for States**: The program has strict eligibility requirements and guidelines that may not align with the unique needs of individual families or communities. This lack of flexibility can hinder states' ability to tailor services to meet the specific needs of families, leading to ineffective interventions.

3. **Focus on Compliance Over Outcomes**: The emphasis on meeting federal compliance requirements can divert attention from achieving positive outcomes for children and families. States may prioritize meeting bureaucratic standards over implementing effective, evidence-based practices that truly support families.

4. **Resource Allocation Issues**: Title IV-E funding can lead to disparities in resource allocation among states. States with more resources or better administrative capabilities may benefit disproportionately, while those with fewer resources struggle to access the funding necessary to support their families effectively.

5. **Administrative Burden**: The complexity of the Title IV-E program can create significant administrative burdens for states, diverting resources away from direct services to families. This can result in delays in service delivery and a lack of support for families in need.

6. **Lack of Focus on Family Preservation**: The current structure of Title IV-E funding may not adequately prioritize family preservation and reunification efforts. Reforming the program to emphasize these goals could lead to better outcomes for children and families.

7. **Potential for Misalignment with State Priorities**: The goals of Title IV-E may not always align with the priorities of individual states, leading to a disconnect between federal funding and local needs. This misalignment can result in ineffective use of resources and frustration among state officials and families.

8. **Stigmatization of Families**: The focus on foster care can contribute to the stigmatization of families involved in the child welfare system. Reforming Title IV-E to prioritize support for families could help reduce this stigma and promote a more positive narrative around family support.

9. **Limited Support for Non-Traditional Families**: Title IV-E funding may not adequately address the needs of non-traditional families, such as kinship caregivers or families involved in the child welfare system due to economic hardship. Reforming the program to be more inclusive could better support diverse family structures.

10. **Need for Holistic Approaches**: The current program may not adequately address the broader social determinants of family stability, such as housing, employment, and mental health services. A reformed Title IV-E could integrate these elements to provide more comprehensive support for families.

In conclusion, while Title IV-E funding plays a critical role in the child welfare system, its current structure may not effectively support families. Repealing or reforming the program to prioritize family preservation, flexibility, and holistic support could lead to better outcomes for children and families in need.

Why is this important?

As of December 19th, my children will have spent six years in foster care, completely cut off from family connections, parental visits, and phone calls. This has resulted in a profound sense of abandonment and alienation, largely due to the actions of the department. The intention behind this approach seems to be to make them more adoptable, but it only reinforces the feeling that they are unloved and unwanted. This is why I believe Title IV-E federal funding should be repealed; it no longer fulfills its original purpose.
Below are the negative failures of title 4E federal funding. I had a generated by AI... I didn't want people to second-guess me or think I didn't have my facts straight. 
Title IV-E of the Social Security Act provides federal funding for foster care and adoption assistance programs. While the intent of this funding is to support children in the welfare system and promote family stability, there can be negative results and impacts on families. Here are some potential negative outcomes associated with Title IV-E funding:

1. **Incentivization of Foster Care Placement**: The funding structure may inadvertently incentivize the placement of children into foster care rather than supporting families to stay together. This can lead to unnecessary separations and trauma for children and parents.

2. **Limited Support for Preventive Services**: Title IV-E funding primarily focuses on foster care and adoption assistance, which may result in insufficient resources allocated for preventive services that could help families avoid entering the child welfare system in the first place.

3. **Overburdened Child Welfare System**: Increased funding for foster care can lead to an influx of cases, overwhelming the child welfare system. This can result in inadequate attention and resources for families in crisis, leading to poorer outcomes for children and families.

4. **Disparities in Access to Services**: Families from marginalized communities may face barriers in accessing the benefits of Title IV-E funding. This can exacerbate existing inequalities and lead to disproportionate rates of foster care placements among certain populations.

5. **Stigmatization of Families**: The involvement of child welfare services can carry a stigma, which may discourage families from seeking help. This stigma can lead to isolation and further challenges for families struggling with issues that could be addressed with appropriate support.

6. **Short-Term Focus**: The funding may prioritize immediate placements and financial assistance over long-term solutions that address the root causes of family instability, such as poverty, mental health issues, and substance abuse.

7. **Potential for Mismanagement**: With increased funding, there is a risk of mismanagement or misuse of resources, which can detract from the intended support for families and children. This can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency in how funds are utilized.

8. **Impact on Family Reunification**: The focus on foster care placements may delay or complicate the process of family reunification, as resources may be more readily available for foster care than for services that support reunification efforts.

9. **Emotional and Psychological Effects**: The trauma of entering the foster care system can have lasting emotional and psychological effects on children and their families, which may not be adequately addressed by the services funded under Title

Updates

1 month ago

We've reached out goal of 100 however there's much more work to do
If we want the largest impact we need to reach 5000 signatures in 30 days so that the White House will issue a statement on the topic
So please continue to share the petition by post in groups, blogs or add it as your signature in your email.

1 month ago

100 signatures reached

1 month ago

50 signatures reached

1 month ago

25 signatures reached

1 month ago

10 signatures reached