Sec. 2. Findings
206 words·~1 min read·
/bill/118/s/5214/is/section-2·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress finds the following: In some circumstances, upon a family first coming to the attention of a child protective services agency, for various reasons, a child may newly enter a hidden foster care arrangement either as a direct or indirect result of contact with the child protective services agency. While a hidden foster care arrangement may be in the best interests of a child, there is no measure of the extent to which hidden foster care arrangements are used by States.
Because hidden foster care arrangements are made upon the initial contact of a family by a child welfare agency, such arrangements are also the first opportunity States may have to provide support to the new caregivers to a child who is in a hidden foster care arrangement and serve the best interests of the child. However, due to a lack of understanding of the instances in which hidden foster care arrangements are used throughout States, it is difficult to determine how the needs of children, their new caregivers, and families can be best supported in cases of hidden foster care arrangements as well as the manner in which Federal funds or oversight could be best directed to support States in their work with these cases.