Some great news to report to the child advocacy community, last night, the Senate approved the Fostering Connections to Success & Increasing Adoptions Act, setting the stage for the broadest improvements for foster children since 1997.

The legislation, which gained an overwhelming support of 581 national, state, and local organizations, and 51 Senators also adding their names to a "Dear Colleague" letter calling for Congressional approval helped spearhead the final passage.

With The House of Representatives approving the measure last week, it now heads to the President where he is expected to add his signature.

Following the approval, Bill Bentley, VOICES President and CEO, remarked  that “this legislation will impact hundreds of thousands of children in foster care by providing expanded options to permanent families.

The legislation provides foster children with much greater access to achieving permanent homes by allowing supports to be provided to relative caregivers, allows for a successful transition into adulthood by extending foster care support s up to age 21, and calls for a greater coordination of the health care and education services provided to foster children.

Tribal nations—for the first time—will also be able to directly access federal support for foster care services. The legislation also strengthens the Adoption Incentives program allowing states to continue to enhance their capability to find permanent homes for the children waiting to be adopted.

VOICES is also thrilled to note that the provisions included will also allow states to address the disproportionate representation of children of color that are currently in foster care.

A full review by VOICES of the legislation is available online.