GAO

A new report finds many states end up giving back some of their funds from the federal Chafee program for older youth in foster care

By The Imprint staff reports Relative caregivers are parenting 2.7 million American children in kinship care. This group of caregivers often goes without critical support that is available, sometimes to the detriment of their own well-being, according to a new audit by the congressional watchdog agency.

Nearly every state in the union now has some offer of extended foster care for youths who turn 18 in foster care and do not feel ready to “age out” into adulthood.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office examined the practice of families giving up their adoptive children to another family outside of the child-welfare or court systems in a new report. Also known as a “unregulated child custody transfer” or “rehoming,” the practice has resulted in children being placed in dangerous situations where some have experienced abuse and neglect.

Democrats from the Senate Finance Committee said they planned to “play offense” on mental health services for foster youth, particularly in regard to the use of psychotropic medications. “When you have one of these kids who is the victim of intense trauma, you’re not going to have the challenges just prescribed away,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairmen Ron Wyden (D-Ore.),