Policy Papers

This White House proclamation highlights the nation’s renewed commitment to supporting children in foster care, strengthening families, and promoting permanency. Discover how federal leadership is advancing reforms, resources, and opportunities to ensure every child has the chance to thrive in a safe, loving home.

This Heritage Foundation article explores how restoring and strengthening the family unit is essential to America’s future. It offers a conservative perspective on policy solutions that empower parents, protect children, and rebuild the foundations of a healthy society.

This America First Policy Institute piece advocates for state-led solutions that strengthen families and communities. It outlines conservative strategies to empower parents, expand local control, and promote effective, family-centered policies across the nation.

 This proclamation and executive order from Governor Jeff Landry marks Louisiana as one of the first states to join the national Foster Care initiative. Discover how state leadership is working to eliminate bureaucratic delays, protect foster youths' earned financial benefits, and ensure a ready home for every child who enters care. 

 This Congressional Research Service report breaks down how federal child welfare policy actually works — from Title IV-E foster care funding to prevention services and kinship navigator programs. A clear, nonpartisan primer on the funding streams and goals shaping child welfare systems nationwide. 

This U.S. Government Accountability Office report examines why many states continue placing foster youth in group homes and institutions despite reforms designed to prioritize family-based care. A critical, independent look at the gaps standing between children and the family settings where they thrive best. 

 This House Ways and Means Committee fact sheet outlines the Fostering the Future Act, the first major update to the Chafee Foster Care Program since 1999. Learn how expanded education vouchers, housing coordination, and legal aid access aim to give the nearly 16,000 youth who age out of care each year a real path to independence. 

 This Youth Law Center briefing offers a youth-advocate perspective on the federal policy landscape — from congregate care funding debates to how SNAP and safety-net changes ripple into stability for young people transitioning out of foster care. A valuable counterpoint for readers weighing multiple sides of current reform efforts.