In an effort to maximize services and improve outcomes for children in families, the U.S. Senate has passed Senate Bill 3525, amending the Social Security Act. In general, the Amendments made by this bill take effect on October 1, 2006 and direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reserve a specified portion of any appropriation for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) program for grants to improve outcomes for and the safety of children affected by methamphetamine abuse and addiction. 

Some highlights of the Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006 include:

• Reauthorization of the Safe and Stable Families Program for FY2007-FY2011;
• Targeting of Increased Safe and Stable Families Program Resources to Support Monthly Caseworker Visits;
• Improvements to the Child Welfare Services Program;
• Reauthorization of the Court Improvement Program;
• Reauthorization of Program for Mentoring Children of Prisoners; and
• Availability of Additional Promoting Safe and Stable Families Resources for Fiscal Year 2006.

Funding and program highlights include:

• $40 million for states to improve frequency in caseworker visits to foster children; 
• Reauthorization of PSSF programs mandatory grants at $345 million and discretionary grants at $200 million annually;
• Reauthorization of $325 million in discretionary grants for the Child Welfare Services program;
• Reauthorization of the Court Improvement program; and
• Reauthorization of the Mentoring Children of Prisoners program.

To view the entire Act, please click here.