In late September, Congress passed important legislation that will encourage more adoptions, support kinship caregivers and make more children eligible for adoption assistance.

The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 reauthorizes the Adoption Incentives Program though 2013. This program, which was set to expire on Sept. 30, awards payments to states that increase the number of children adopted out of their foster care system.

Also included in the bill are significant changes to current child welfare law under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. Among the major provisions: 

* Creation of a relative guardianship subsidy to provide assistance to some relatives who are caring for a family member’s child. Supporting these kinship caregivers is a key way to promote permanency for children that cannot return home or be adopted and will provide a path out of foster care for many children.

* De-linking of adoption assistance from 1996 AFDC income standards. By gradually untying eligibility from these dated poverty guidelines, the bill ensures that by 2018 all abused and neglected children will qualify for aid.

* Extension of foster care maintenance payments for youth up to age 21 so foster children continue to be supported as they move towards independence after age 18.  

Additionally, the bill includes language that provides added supports to kinship caregivers, encourages siblings be placed together and improves health and educational services for foster children. 

This legislation makes the most significant reform to the child welfare system in over a decade and corrects problems that have plagued the system for many years.  Its passage is a major achievement for child welfare professionals and advocates nationwide who have been lobbying for these changes. 

There was broad bipartisan support for the bill in both chambers of Congress and it appears likely that President Bush will sign the legislation into law.