What does Preamble of Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025 do?

This bill amends parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act. The stated purpose of the bill is to improve foster and adoptive parent recruitment and retention.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025.

What does STATE PLAN AMENDMENT. of Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 422 of the Social Security Act to require states to develop and implement a family partnership plan. The plan must be developed in consultation with various stakeholders, including birth, kinship, foster, and adoptive families, service providers, and youth with lived experience. The plan must describe how the state will identify and support relatives, develop child-specific recruitment plans, and authentically engage children in recruitment efforts. States must use data to establish goals, assess needs, measure progress, and improve placement outcomes, including increasing kinship placements. The plan requires annual reporting on foster family capacity and congregate care utilization. States must annually update a summary of feedback from foster and adoptive parents and youth regarding licensure, training, and support. The plan must include an annual report analyzing challenges to recruiting families reflecting the racial and ethnic background of children in foster care. The amendment generally takes effect on October 1, 2027, but a delay is permitted if state legislation is required and approval is pending.

What does INCLUSION OF INFORMATION ON FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES IN of Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 479A(a) of the Social Security Act. The amendment requires the Annual Child Welfare Outcomes Report to Congress to include state-by-state data on foster and adoptive families. The report must include data on the number, demographics, and characteristics of foster and adoptive families, as well as potential families not being utilized and the reasons why. The report will also summarize challenges and barriers faced by foster and adoptive parents, including recruitment, licensure, engagement, and retention. States are required to report on efforts to recruit families that reflect the racial and ethnic background of children in foster care and the barriers encountered.

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Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025

Last updated: 6/15/2026 · Introduced: 1/21/2025

Author: Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill mandates that states develop and implement family partnership plans to improve foster and adoptive parent recruitment and retention, utilizing data to track progress and increase kinship placements.
The bill requires states to report annually on foster family capacity, congregate care utilization, and feedback from foster and adoptive parents and youth.
It expands the Annual Child Welfare Outcomes Report to Congress to include state-by-state data on foster and adoptive families, including recruitment challenges and barriers.

119th Congresspassed senateHR. 579(Passed House)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

4 sections

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