Edgewood Praises U.S. Senate Action on Major Child Welfare Legislation

For Immediate Release
September 10, 2008

Edgewood CEO Nancy Rubin joined the Child Welfare League of America in praising the action of the Senate Finance Committee this morning in passing the substitute Improvements in Adoption Incentives and Relative Guardianship Support Act (S 3038).

The Senate bill is part of a two-house strategy (S 3038 and HR 6307) that may eventually lead to one comprehensive child welfare bill that could be sent to the President before the end this month. Both bills reauthorize the adoption incentive program, extend access to federal funds to tribal governments, extend federal adoption assistance and foster care funds to some kinship families, allows states to extend foster care to age 21, and requires states to provide more stable access to education for foster children.

The major differences in the bill include a Senate provision that would eliminate the outdated eligibility requirements for adoption assistance, and House provisions that would allow private child welfare agencies access to federal training funds and a provision that would require better planning and provision of health services to children in foster care.

About Edgewood
Edgewood Center for Children and Families (Edgewood) helps children and families take back their future by working with them to overcome severe challenges like abuse, neglect, mental illness and crisis. The oldest children's charity in the western U.S., Edgewood has evolved to meet the community’s changing needs. What began as a refuge for Gold Rush orphanage more than 150 years ago is now a nationally recognized, multifaceted agency. Edgewood serves more than 5,000 children and families in the Bay Area each year through community and residential programs.

Media Contact
Daniela Ogden
Communications Manager
415.375.7582