Making parents pay for kids in care
Each year, states across the country collect tens of millions of dollars from low-income parents whose children are placed in foster care. The result is longer durations of care for children. Some children never go home.
The federal government has provided guidance, encouraging states to reform state laws, regulations and practices largely to cease these child support collections. The guidance “encourages child welfare agencies to implement across-the-board policies” to assign child support “only in very rare circumstances.” To date, only a handful of states have made these important policy adjustments. Learn more about your state and what you can do to inspire local reforms.
Each year, states across the country collect tens of millions of dollars from low-income parents whose children are placed in foster care. The result is longer durations of care for children. Some children never go home.
The federal government has provided guidance, encouraging states to reform state laws, regulations and practices largely to cease these child support collections. The guidance “encourages child welfare agencies to implement across-the-board policies” to assign child support “only in very rare circumstances.” To date, only a handful of states have made these important policy adjustments. Learn more about your state and what you can do to inspire local reforms.