In Support of the Families for Foster Youth Stamp Act
Resolution 3 In Support of the Families for Foster Youth Stamp Act
WHEREAS, the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators recognize the importance of securing safe, stable, and permanent homes and positive outcomes for children in the foster care system; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the effect of federal mandates on state judicial systems and the critical oversight role that state courts play, Congress created and reauthorized the Court Improvement Program; and
WHEREAS, state courts have completed comprehensive assessments, developed and implemented innovative solutions for improving court processes and procedures, and evaluated the effectiveness of reform efforts. Children across the country have benefited from this funding, as courts have been able to improve and expedite the processing of child abuse and neglect cases with the goals of placing children in safe, stable, and permanent homes and improving outcomes; and
WHEREAS, state courts have leveraged federal dollars to accomplish reforms, but additional enhancements are needed and Court Improvement Program funds continue to be critical for achieving these reforms; and
WHEREAS, Senators John F. Kerry and Charles E. Grassley introduced the Families for Foster Youth Stamp Act (S. 3231) in the 112th Congress, which would create a semipostal stamp to support the Court Improvement Program and the Adoption Opportunities Program to improve outcomes for children in foster care; and
WHEREAS, funds secured through stamp sales for the Court Improvement Program would support efforts to improve child welfare court programs, which may include improving legal representation for children, reducing caseloads, updating systems for efficiency, and taking steps to help courts achieve safe, stable, and permanent homes for children;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators strongly urge Congress to enact the Families for Foster Youth Stamp Act and other similar legislation.
Adopted as proposed by the CCJ/COSCA Courts, Children and Families Committee at the 2012 Annual Meeting on July 25, 2012.