HRES 1233
Expressing support for the recognition of April as National Foster Sibling Connections Month.
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Bill overview
This resolution expresses support for recognizing April as National Foster Sibling Connections Month. It highlights the importance of sibling relationships for children in foster care, particularly those who have experienced abuse, neglect, or instability. The resolution encourages efforts to prioritize sibling placement, improve data collection on sibling separations, and raise awareness of the challenges faced by foster care siblings.
Key provisions
- Expresses support for recognizing April as National Foster Sibling Connections Month.
- Acknowledges the critical importance of sibling relationships for children and youth in foster care.
- Encourages Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies to prioritize policies that promote sibling placement and lifelong connection.
- Supports efforts to improve data collection and transparency regarding sibling relationships and separations in foster care.
Who is affected
- Children in foster care
- Foster care siblings
- Child welfare agencies
- Policymakers
- Child welfare professionals
Notable changes
- The resolution calls for improved data collection on sibling separations in foster care to better understand the issue.
- It emphasizes the need to prioritize policies and practices that maintain and restore sibling relationships.
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. RES. 1233
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the recognition of April as National Foster Sibling Connections Month.
Whereas sibling relationships are among the most important bonds in human development, contributing to children’s emotional stability and long-term well-being;
Whereas for children who experience abuse, neglect, or instability, sibling relationships often serve as their most consistent source of support and belonging;
Whereas, when children enter foster care, the preservation of sibling relationships is critical to maintaining permanency, reducing trauma, and driving successful outcomes;
Whereas it is estimated that approximately 53 to 80 percent of children in foster care are separated from at least 1 sibling;
Whereas research demonstrates that sibling separation in foster care is associated with increased placement instability, behavioral challenges, and adverse mental health outcomes;
Whereas current child welfare data systems often fail to accurately track sibling separations, particularly in cases involving adoption, resulting in a systemic undercounting of the scope and impact of this issue;
Whereas this data gap limits the ability of policymakers, practitioners, and advocates to understand and address the harms caused by sibling separation fully;
Whereas it is within the national and moral interest of the United States to make progress in ensuring that no child is separated from their siblings;
Whereas advocates across the United States are working to advance policies and practices that prioritize sibling placement, visitation, and lifelong connection; and
Whereas increased awareness of sibling separation in foster care would elevate the voices of foster care alumni and promote policies that prioritize maintaining and restoring sibling relationships: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—