Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) will convene a hearing on Tuesday, May 19, to examine the problems facing foster children in group homes and how Congress can work to achieve better outcomes.
The hearing, titled “No Place to Grow Up: How to Safely Reduce Reliance on Foster Care Group Homes,” will take place at 10:00 a.m. in Room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
“Children who experience long term placements in foster care group homes face high rates of incarceration, homelessness and other negative outcomes. What’s more, these group homes are three to five times more expensive to taxpayers than family-based placements. It’s clear there needs to be change, and this hearing will allow members to hear about the need to reduce the reliance on foster care group home and learn about effective strategies that can connect vulnerable children and youth with a permanent, loving family.” Hatch said.
The witnesses at Thursday’s hearing are:
- Ms. Lexie Gruber, Former Foster Youth, Hamden, CT
- Dr. Jeremy Christopher Kohomban, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Children's Village, New York, NY
- Mr. Matthew Reynell, Adoptive Father, Rochester, NY
- Ms. JooYeun Chang, Associate Commissioner, Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children Youth and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC
