What does SHORT TITLE. of Create Accountable Respectful Environments (CARE) for Children Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Create Accountable Respectful Environments (CARE) for Children Act.

What does PLACEMENT OF FOSTER CHILDREN IN COTTAGE FAMILY HOMES. of Create Accountable Respectful Environments (CARE) for Children Act do?

This section amends the Social Security Act to include 'cottage family home' in certain provisions related to foster care. It defines 'cottage family home' as a home operated by a licensed agency that encourages family connections, supports sibling placement, and provides age-appropriate activities. The definition includes requirements for a trauma-informed approach, prohibits certain restraints, and mandates a system for children to report concerns. The Secretary is prohibited from limiting or penalizing states that treat cottage family homes as foster family homes. The amendments apply to payments under Part E of Title IV of the Social Security Act beginning on the date of enactment. A six-month delay is permitted if state legislation is required to meet the new requirements.

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Create Accountable Respectful Environments (CARE) for Children Act

Q: What does Preamble of Create Accountable Respectful Environments (CARE) for Children Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To amend part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to address or assist in resolving the shortage of appropriate foster homes for children, to develop resources to keep sibling groups together, and to provide for a system of checks and balances to ensure a child's ongoing safety and well-being, by providing for the placement of a foster child in cottage family homes and making a child so placed eligible for foster care maintenance payments,' aims to address the shortage of foster homes. The bill intends to develop resources to keep sibling groups together within the foster care system. It seeks to establish a system of checks and balances to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of children in foster care. The legislation proposes allowing the placement of foster children in cottage family homes. Children placed in cottage family homes under this bill would be eligible for foster care maintenance payments.

Last updated: 8/15/2025 · Introduced: 8/15/2025

Author: W. Steube (R-FL)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill amends the Social Security Act to allow foster children to be placed in 'cottage family homes,' which are defined as licensed homes that prioritize family connections, sibling placement, and trauma-informed care.
The legislation requires cottage family homes to establish systems for children to report concerns and prohibits certain restraints, ensuring a focus on safety and well-being.
States utilizing cottage family homes as foster family homes will not be penalized or limited by the federal government.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 1 more.

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