S. 162: Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025

The bill titled "Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025" aims to improve the recruitment and retention of foster and adoptive parents in the United States. Here are the key components of the bill:

Amendments to the Social Security Act

The bill proposes amendments to parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act, specifically focusing on recruitment and retention efforts for foster and adoptive families. Key changes include:

• The requirement for states to develop a "family partnership plan" that involves input from birth, kinship, foster, and adoptive families, as well as community service providers and youth with foster care experience.
• The family partnership plan must detail how the state will identify and support potential relative placements for children, develop recruitment plans for children entering foster care, and authentically engage youth in recruitment efforts.
• The plan should leverage data to set goals and assess the state's foster family capacity, the utilization of congregate care, and the demographics of children in care. It will be required to provide insights on improving stability of placements and fostering families for various special populations, such as siblings and teens.
• States will gather and report feedback from current and former foster and adoptive parents regarding their experiences, challenges, and reasons for ceasing to foster or adopt.
• The plan will analyze the barriers faced in recruiting families that match the racial and ethnic backgrounds of children in foster care.

Annual Reporting Requirements

The bill mandates annual reporting to include:

• The number and characteristics of licensed foster and adoptive families, alongside data on those not receiving placements.
• A summary of challenges reported by foster and adoptive parents, including issues related to licensure and support.
• Insights into barriers faced in hiring and retaining families that align with the ethnic and racial demographics of children in the system.

Effective Date of the Bill

The amendments will come into effect on October 1, 2026, unless state legislation is needed to comply, in which case additional time will be granted based on state legislative sessions.

Inclusion in Child Welfare Outcome Reports

The bill also adds requirements for annual child welfare outcome reports submitted to Congress. These reports must now include:

• State-by-state data on foster and adoptive family demographics.
• Summaries of challenges and barriers foster and adoptive parents face.
• Description of states’ efforts to recruit families reflective of the racial and ethnic backgrounds of children in care.

Relevant Companies

None found