Strengthening Child Welfare: A Look at Federal Conversations to Try to Support Adoption and Permanency
On March 26, 2026, a group in the U.S. House of Representatives met to talk about how to better support children in the child welfare system. The meeting focused on how federal funding can help more children find permanent homes, especially through adoption.
During the hearing, lawmakers and experts discussed many of the challenges facing children, families, and the child welfare workforce. One major concern was the shortage of workers and the stress they face on the job. Another key issue was access to services, especially mental health care, which many children and families need but cannot always get.
The conversation also focused on “permanency,” which means helping children find stable, long-term homes. This can happen in different ways, including adoption, living with relatives (called kinship care), or reuniting with their birth families when it is safe to do so. Lawmakers talked about the barriers that can make these options harder to achieve and what can be done to remove those obstacles.
There was also attention on young people who “age out” of foster care without a permanent family. These youth often face challenges as they move into adulthood, and many speakers stressed the need for better support systems to help them succeed.
Another topic was the role of faith-based groups, which often help provide services and support to children and families. Lawmakers also discussed the Adoption Tax Credit, which can make adoption more affordable for families.
Much of the hearing centered on how federal programs and funding – especially those managed by the Administration for Children and Families – can be used more effectively. Programs under Title IV-E and Title IV-B of the Social Security Act were highlighted as important tools in supporting children and families.
Overall, the tone of the discussion was mostly cooperative, with members of both political parties agreeing on the importance of helping foster youth and improving the system. There were some disagreements, especially around how changes to Medicaid could affect access to mental health care.
One idea that gained attention was the creation of a national task force on foster care and adoption. Some lawmakers showed interest in this proposal to bring more focus and coordination to these important issues.
In the end, the hearing made clear that while there are many challenges, there is also strong support for finding better solutions to help children grow up in safe, permanent, and loving homes.
If you are considering adoption or have questions about your legal options, the team at Surratt Law is here to guide you every step of the way.
Kim Surratt
