West OC Times

The House Ways and Means Committee has passed the Protecting America’s Children By Strengthening Families Act, which includes Rep. Michelle Steel’s legislation ensuring children in foster care have access to mental health services.

The bill, which reauthorizes and reforms child welfare guidelines and funding for states, includes Rep. Steel’s Foster Youth Mental Health Support Act. The American Academy of Pediatrics has cited these services as the largest unmet need for this at-risk population.

“Mental health services are critical for children in the foster system, a vulnerable population due to a lack of family stability. My legislation will create more consistent access to these needed services and improve the lives of children and families,” said Rep. Steel, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. “I want to thank my Ways and Means Committee colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting my proposal and I look forward to seeing it become law.”

Specifically, Steel’s legislation requires state Title IV-B plans to include planning and coordination with mental health service providers so children in foster care receive individualized mental health support.

“Children in foster care often experience upheaval, turmoil, and instability that takes a unique toll on their mental health. Congresswoman Steel’s bill recognizes that foster children need supportive services for their mental health just as they need a loving family to provide food, clothing, and a safe home,” said Jason Smith, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. "I want to thank Congresswoman Steel for her leadership on this issue and working to ensure states use taxpayer dollars to best meet the needs of foster children.”

Steel is a member of the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare, part of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over provisions of the Social Security Act including child and family services and foster care. She is also a member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health.