Sponsored by Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) and Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA)

Link to Bill Text.

Contact: Matthew.Krall@mail.house.gov

Advocates for Families Act of 2024

Introduction:
The Advocates for Families Act of 2024 is a federal law aimed to enhance the child welfare system
by ensuring that families have access to a family advocate throughout all levels of administrative
and legal proceedings. We encourage bi-partisan support on this bill and ask for your
co-sponsorship. Contact matthew.krall@mail.house.gov, for Congressman Barry Moore.

Objective:
The primary objective of the Advocates for Families Act of 2024 is to facilitate smoother and
expedited navigation of the child welfare system for families. By allowing the participation of a
family advocate, this bill intends to prevent unnecessary removals, and reduce the trauma and
instability experienced by children who are temporarily removed from their homes and placed in
foster care. Additionally, it aims to decrease the duration of out-of-home placements and
ultimately reunite children with their parents or relatives in a timely manner where appropriate.

Key Facts:

1. Each year, 600,000 children are removed from their homes and enter the foster care system.
2. Nearly 50% of these children are six years old or younger.
3. More than 60% of these children will eventually return to a parent or relative.
4. These children will spend 15 to 17 months in out-of-home placement before being reunited with
   their families.
5. NCMEC recently reported an explosion in children going missing from the child welfare system
   as well as children being sex-trafficked out of foster care.
   https://www.missingkids.org/footer/about/leadership/leadership-profiles
   Importance:
   The Advocates for Families Act recognizes the need for support and guidance throughout the child
   welfare process. By providing families with a dedicated advocate, this legislation aims to address
   several crucial aspects:
6. Improved Negotiation: Family advocates will assist families in navigating the complex
   administrative and legal procedures, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
7. Expedited Process: With the aid of a family advocate, the bill seeks to streamline the child welfare
   system, minimizing unnecessary delays and expediting the reunification process.
8. Reducing Trauma: By reducing the time spent in foster care, the bill aims to mitigate the
   emotional and psychological impact on children, promoting stability and preserving familial bonds.
9. Cost Savings: Through more efficient processes and reduced out-of-home placement durations,
   the Advocates for Families Act aims to save taxpayer dollars by decreasing the reliance on federal
   funding for foster care.

Prolonged and unnecessary separation causes severe emotional trauma:
Clinical research shows that:
● Children who are removed are “overwhelmed with feelings of abandonment, rejection,
worthlessness, guilt, and helplessness.”
● Separation floods stress hormones throughout the child’s brain and body, leading to:
difficulty sleeping, developmental regression, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes,
and decreased longevity.
● Separation causes permanent architectural changes in the brain, including lower IQs.
depression, more suicide attempts, and more problems with alcohol abuse and gambling.
● Children generally suffer worse outcomes when removed than if they had been allowed
to remain in marginal homes. In studies of similarly situated children, children who were
removed (compared to those remaining at home): have two to three times higher delinquency
rates; have higher teen birth rates; have lower earnings as adults; are two to three times more
likely to enter the criminal justice system as adults; and are twice as likely to have learning
disabilities and developmental delays.

Conclusion:
The Advocates for Families Act of 2024 represents a significant step towards enhancing the child
welfare system. By providing families with access to a family advocate, this legislation aims to
promote smoother navigation, expedite reunification, and ultimately improve outcomes for
children and their families. It is anticipated that this bill will reduce trauma, provide stability, and
save valuable resources, all while prioritizing the best interests of the children involved.
Contact matthew.krall@mail.house.gov, for Congressman Barry Moore.