,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cdbc ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,october #cj1 #bjac,mr4 ,langevin 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,wittman1 ,ms4 ,wilson of ,florida1 ,mr4 ,sean ,patrick ,maloney of ,new ,york1 ,ms4 ,norton1 ,ms4 ,bass1 and ,mr4 ,grimm7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,ways and ,means1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to ensure the safety and well-being of adopted children4 #a4 ,adoption support services 7a7 ,ensuring well-,being of adopted children and adoptive families ,section #dba of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba7 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking and at the end2 7#b7 by redesignating paragraph 7#e7 as paragraph 7#f72 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#d7 the following new paragraph3 7#e7 ensuring the well-being of adopted children and their adoptive families and promoting efforts to prevent such children from entering the foster care system through the provision of pre- and post-adoptive support services2 and 4 7b7 ,pre- and ,post-,adoptive ,support ,services ,paragraph 7#h7 of section #dca7;a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbi;a7a77 is amended to read as follows3 7#h7 ,adoption promotion and support services 7,a7 ,in general ,the term adoption promotion and support services means services and activities designed to encourage more adoptions out of the foster care system and support domestic adoptions and adoptions from other countries1 consistent with promoting the best interests of adopted children and their adoptive families4 ,such services and activities may include pre- and post-adoptive support services1 as described in subparagraph 7,b71 that are designed to support adopted children and their adoptive families4 7,b7 ,pre- and post-adoptive support services ,the term pre- and post-adoptive support services means the following3 7i7 ,pre-adoptive support services1 which may include-- 7,i7 direct services1 including training1 educational support1 counseling1 case management1 and other services for adoptive parents and families that address caregiver interests and concerns regarding common behavioral issues1 such as-- 7aa7 issues relating to emotional1 behavioral1 or developmental health needs2 7bb7 issues relating to attachment1 identity1 abandonment1 cultural differences1 grief1 and loss2 7cc7 issues resulting from birth defects due to fetal alcohol syndrome or any other substance abuse-related developmental disorder2 7dd7 the conditions that a child is being adopted from1 and how this will influence the child's emotional and social development2 and 7ee7 adoptive families should receive full disclosure of the child's background information 7non-identifying and identifying when needed or when agreed upon in an open adoption74 ,this information should include but not be limited to information from family1 agency1 court1 school1 mental health1 and medical files2 7,,ii7 the provision of educational resources for adoptive parents regarding the geographic1 ethnic1 and cultural background of the adopted child2 7,,iii7 peer-to-peer mentoring and support groups that permit a newly adoptive parent to communicate and learn from more experienced adoptive parents1 including programs that enhance communication between adoptive parents with children of similar geographic1 ethnic1 or cultural backgrounds2 and 7,,iv7 the provision of informational resources for adoptive parents1 including-- 7aa7 resources available through ,federal and ,state agencies1 including information regarding benefits for children with a medical condition or a physical1 mental1 or emotional disability2 7bb7 newsletters1 ,web sites1 and other informational resources regarding adoption-related services2 7cc7 the establishment of lending libraries containing information and resources for adoptive parents2 and 7dd7 conferences1 parent support discussion groups1 and seminars that are available to adoptive parents and other relevant stakeholders4 7ii7 ,post-adoptive support services1 which may include-- 7,i7 continued provision to adoptive parents of pre-adoptive support services described in clause 7i72 7,,ii7 the provision of accessible and reliable respite services for adoptive parents2 7,,iii7 direct services and counseling for adopted child and family1 including1 as appropriate-- 7aa7 support services for an adopted child with emotional1 behavioral1 or developmental health needs2 7bb7 support services that address issues relating to attachment1 identity1 abandonment1 cultural differences1 grief1 and loss2 and 7cc7 treatment services that are specialized for adopted children1 including psychiatric residential services1 outpatient mental health services1 social skills training1 intensive in-home supervision services1 recreational therapy1 suicide prevention1 and substance abuse treatment2 7,,iv7 peer-to-peer mentoring and support groups that allow adopted children to communicate and socialize with other adopted children1 including programs that provide for communication between adopted children from similar geographic1 ethnic1 or cultural backgrounds2 and 7,v7 crisis and family preservation services1 including respite care and crisis counseling and a #bd-;hour emergency hotline for adoptive parents4 4 #b4 ,funding for adoption support services ,paragraph 7#h7 of section #dgc7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgc7;a77 is amended to read as follows3 7#h7 ,with respect to the amount of savings 7if any7 in ,state expenditures under this part resulting from the application of paragraph 7#b77;,a77ii7 to all applicable children for a fiscal year1 a ,state shall-- 7,a7 spend a significant portion1 not less than #bj percent1 of such amount to provide pre- and post-adoptive support services 7as defined in section #dca7;a77#h77;,b772 7,b7 spend the remainder of such amount to provide to children or families any other services that may be provided under this part or part ,b2 and 7,c7 on an annual basis1 submit to the ,secretary a report that provides a detailed account of any services that were funded pursuant to this paragraph4 4 #c4 ,federal grant program for post-adoption mental health services ,subpart #c of part ,b of title ,v of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bij;bb-#c et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #ebj,l4 ,post-adoption mental health services 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,administrator1 shall award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to-- 7#a7 develop and implement ,statewide or tribal post-adoption mental health service programs for all adopted children2 7#b7 support public organization and private nonprofit organizations actively involved in ,statewide or tribal post-adoption mental health service programs2 7#c7 collect and analyze data on ,state-sponsored ,statewide or tribal post-adoption mental health service programs that can be used to monitor the effectiveness of such services and for research1 technical assistance1 and policy development2 7#d7 develop and provide educational and training opportunities concerning the mental health needs of adopted children and their families for use by teachers1 social workers1 and other community mental health service providers2 and 7#e7 develop and provide materials for potential adoptive parents1 both for domestic adoptions and adoptions from other countries1 describing the possible need for post-adoption mental health services and available resources4 7b7 ,eligible entity 7#a7 ,definition ,in this section1 the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,state2 7,b7 a public organization or private nonprofit organization designated by a ,state to develop or direct the ,state-sponsored ,statewide post-adoption mental health service program under a grant under this section2 and 7,c7 a ,federally recognized ,indian tribe or tribal organization 7as defined in the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dej et seq477 or an urban ,indian organization 7as defined in the ,indian ,health ,care ,improvement ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #afja et seq477 that is actively involved in the development and continuation of a post-adoption mental health service program4 7#b7 ,limitation ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary shall ensure that each ,state is awarded only #a grant or cooperative agreement under this section4 ,for purposes of the preceding sentence1 a ,state shall be considered to have been awarded a grant or cooperative agreement if the eligible entity involved is the ,state or an entity designated by the ,state under paragraph 7#a77;,b74 ,nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to apply to entities described in paragraph 7#a77;,c74 7c7 ,preference ,in providing assistance under a grant or cooperative agreement under this section1 the ,secretary shall give preference to eligible entities that have demonstrated success in increasing the level of adoption competency among mental health providers1 adoption lawyers1 social workers1 case workers1 and adoptive parents4 7d7 ,requirement for direct services ,not less than #he percent of funds received under a grant or cooperative agreement under this section shall be used to provide direct services1 of which not less than #e percent shall be used for activities authorized under subsection 7a77#c74 7e7 ,coordination and collaboration 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary shall collaborate with relevant ,federal agencies and adoption-related working groups to promote interaction between domestic foster care agencies and private adoption agencies in other countries4 7#b7 ,consultation ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary shall consult with-- 7,a7 ,state and social service agencies engaged in the placement of children for adoption1 domestically or from other countries2 7,b7 local and national organizations that serve foster and adopted youth2 7,c7 health and education specialists who focus on adoption and foster care medicine2 7,d7 youth who have been in foster care or adopted1 domestically or from other countries2 7,e7 families and friends of youth who have been in foster care or adopted1 domestically or from other countries2 and 7,f7 qualified professionals who possess the specialized knowledge1 skills1 experience1 and relevant attributes needed to serve adopted children and their families4 7#c7 ,policy development ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 coordinate and collaborate on policy development with the ,administration for ,children and ,families and other relevant ,department of ,health and ,human ,services agencies and adoption-related working groups2 and 7,b7 consult on policy development at the ,federal level with those in the private sector engaged in the recruitment of foster and adoptive parents1 the placement of children in foster care and for adoption1 and the provision of post-adoption services4 7f7 ,evaluation and report 7#a7 ,evaluations by eligible entities ,not later than #ah months after receipt of a grant or cooperative agreement under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary the results of an evaluation to be conducted by the entity concerning the effectiveness of the activities carried out under the grant or agreement4 7#b7 ,report ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report concerning the results of-- 7,a7 the evaluations conducted under paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 an evaluation conducted by the ,secretary to analyze the effectiveness and efficacy of the activities conducted with grants1 collaborations1 and consultations under this section4 7g7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,adopted child ,the term adopted child means an individual who is under #ba years of age and was adopted from foster care1 through a private placement agency1 or from another country4 7#b7 ,adoption competency ,the term adoption competency means an understanding of-- 7,a7 the nature of adoption as a form of family formation and the different types of adoption2 7,b7 relevant emotional and physical issues involved in the adoption process1 including issues relating to separation1 loss1 attachment1 abuse1 trauma1 and neglect2 7,c7 common developmental challenges associated with adoption2 7,d7 the characteristics and skills that allow for successful adoptive families2 7,e7 proper sensitivity with respect to the different geographic1 ethnic1 or cultural backgrounds of adopted children and adoptive families2 and 7,f7 the necessary skills for effectively advocating on behalf of birth and adoptive families4 7#c7 ,post-adoption mental health services ,the term post-adoption mental health services includes-- 7,a7 adoption competent mental health direct services1 including training1 educational support1 counseling1 and other services for adoptive parents and families that address caregiver interests and concerns regarding child behavioral issues that are common among adopted children and children in foster care1 including1 as appropriate-- 7i7 caring for an adopted child with emotional1 behavioral1 or developmental health needs2 and 7ii7 providing for the emotional needs of an adopted child1 including issues relating to attachment1 identity1 abandonment1 cultural differences1 grief1 and loss2 7,b7 peer-to-peer mentoring and support groups that permit a newly adoptive parent to communicate and learn from more experienced adoptive parents2 7,c7 the provision of informational resources and available services for adoptive parents2 7,d7 direct services1 including counseling1 peer-to-peer mentoring and support groups1 and other services for adopted children that address common behavioral and adjustment issues1 including1 as appropriate-- 7i7 support services for an adopted child with emotional1 behavioral1 or developmental health needs2 7ii7 support services that address the emotional needs of an adopted child1 including issues relating to attachment1 identity1 abandonment1 cultural differences1 grief1 and loss2 and 7iii7 treatment services that are specialized for adopted children1 including psychiatric residential services1 outpatient mental health services1 social skills training1 intensive in-home supervision services1 recreational therapy1 suicide prevention1 and substance abuse treatment2 7,e7 peer-to-peer mentoring and support groups that allow adopted children to communicate and socialize with other adopted children2 and 7,f7 crisis intervention and family preservation services4 7h7 ,funding for post-,adoption mental health services ,from amounts appropriated to carry out titles ,,iii1 ,v1 or ,,xix of the ,public ,health ,service ,act for each fiscal year1 #bj1jjj1jjj shall be used by the ,secretary in each such fiscal year to fund services and programs authorized under this section4 4 #d4 ,data collection on adoption disruption and dissolution 7a7 ,in general ,section #dgi of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgi7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 7#a7 ,not later than #ab months after the date of enactment of this subsection1 the ,secretary shall1 as part of the data collection system established under this section1 promulgate final regulations providing for the collection and analysis of information regarding children who enter into ,state custody as a result of the disruption of a placement for adoption or the dissolution of an adoption1 which shall require ,states to collect and report-- 7,a7 information on children who are adopted within the ,united ,states or from other countries and who enter into ,state custody as a result of the disruption of a placement for adoption or the dissolution of an adoption1 including-- 7i7 the number of children who enter into ,state custody as a result of-- 7,i7 the disruption of placement for adoption2 or 7,,ii7 the dissolution of an adoption2 and 7ii7 for each child identified under clause 7i7-- 7,i7 as applicable1 the country of birth for any child who was not born in the ,united ,states2 7,,ii7 the length of the adoption placement prior to disruption or dissolution2 7,,iii7 the age of the child at the time of the disruption or dissolution2 7,,iv7 the reason for the disruption or dissolution2 and 7,v7 the agencies who handled the placement for adoption2 and 7,b7 such other information as determined appropriate by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,the regulations shall require a ,state that reports the information described in paragraph 7#a7 to use the information-- 7,a7 to consolidate and expand the collection of information on adoption disruption and dissolution2 7,b7 to improve research and data collection systems in order to more accurately determine and measure the rates1 outcomes1 and causes of adoption disruption and dissolution2 7,c7 to identify pre- and post-adoptive support services 7including services described in section #dca7;a77#h77;,b77 that result in lower rates of disruption and dissolution of adoptions2 7,d7 to develop an understanding of the relationship between the rate of incidence of adoption disruptions and dissolutions and the support services that are provided to adoptive families in order to identify and develop effective evidence-based strategies1 programs1 and support services that help to prevent adoption disruption and dissolution2 and 7,e7 to develop and enhance training and educational services regarding strategies for prevention of adoption disruption and dissolution4 7#c7 7,a7 ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this subsection1 the ,secretary shall1 subject to subparagraph 7,b71 establish an advisory committee to study methods to effectively collect data regarding disruption and dissolution of adoptions that are not included in the data collection system established under this section1 including-- 7i7 data on children whose adoptions are disrupted or dissolved but do not enter into ,state custody as a result of such disruption or dissolution2 7ii7 data on adoption displacements1 whereby an adopted child is temporarily placed out of the home of an adoptive parent in order to receive medical1 mental health1 behavioral1 or other forms of treatment2 and 7iii7 such other data as determined appropriate by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,the membership and organization of the advisory committee described in subparagraph 7,a7 shall be determined by the ,secretary and shall include-- 7i7 ,state and child welfare agencies that are engaged in the placement of children for adoption domestically or from other countries2 7ii7 local and national organizations that serve adopted children and children in foster care2 and 7iii7 members of ,state and local judiciary and court staff4 7,c7 ,not later than #ab months after establishment of the advisory committee described in subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report containing recommendations of the advisory committee for improvement of the data collection system established under this section4 4 7b7 ,annual report ,section #dgi;,a of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgi;b7 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#f71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#g7 include in the report submitted pursuant to paragraph 7#e7 for fiscal year #bjac or any succeeding fiscal year1 national and ,state-by-,state data on the numbers and rates of disruptions and dissolutions of adoptions1 as collected pursuant to section #dgi7;d77#a74 4 #e4 ,,gao report ,within #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the ,congress a written report on-- 7#a7 how children are advertised online for adoption1 the number of children so advertised1 what happens to children so advertised1 the reasons why children are so advertised1 and the resources available to the government to combat the advertising2 7#b7 how home studies of prospective parents vary1 depending on whether the adoption is private1 domestic1 or international2 7#c7 how the type and amount of pre-adoptive training prospective parents receive varies2 7#d7 the availability of quality support for families to meet the post-adoption emotional and behavioral challenges faced by children2 and 7#e7 the reasons for adoption disruptions and dissolutions1 and for the sending of adopted children to live with new families without notice to the appropriate authorities4