September 26,2006

Baucus Applauds Final Passage Of Family, Child Welfare Measures

Baucus hails passage of measure that improves foster care system, fights methamphetamine effects in families

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, today applauded the final passage of the Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006. The legislation, which reauthorizes and improves the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program and the Child Welfare Services Act through 2011, will now go to President Bush to be signed into law.

“I am very pleased to see this legislation go to the President, so that we can begin making the essential improvements that this country’s child welfare system desperately needs,” said Baucus. “This law will provide more methamphetamine and substance abuse treatment and prevention services, more funding to child welfare services and more social workers, which are essential tools that will put us on the road to making sure that all children have a safe and valuable childhood.”

The Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006 was co-sponsored by Baucus and Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine). The legislation includes $145 million over five years in competitive grants that Baucus helped to secure in order to address the problems of methamphetamine and substance abuse. The legislation also reauthorizes the Safe and Stable Families program, supports the training and hiring of more social workers and ensures more social worker visits for children in foster care.

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