Press Releases

LA Times: Foster Kids Spend The Day Shadowing California Members Of Congress
May 25, 2017
Press Release

WASINGTON - Leonardo Jimenez, 21, of Los Angeles said after a lifetime in foster care, he never expected to have his congresswoman speak his name on the House floor, or to become a part of the historical record of the United States.

On Wednesday, Rep. Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) spoke about Jimenez and the more than 100 other young people participating in the Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Program in a speech on the House floor.

Post Star: Tonko Hosts SUNY Potsdam Student On 'Foster Youth Shadow Day'
May 24, 2017
Press Release

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, on Wednesday announced that Sabrina Petrie, a 25-year-old SUNY Potsdam student, joined him for "Foster Youth Shadow Day," an annual event in which advocates spend part of the day with members of congress to raise awareness of family welfare issues. Petrie, of De Kalb, in St. Lawrence County, is a graduating history major who will begin a year of service in August in the Episcopal Service Corps.

CNN: Foster Care Youth Shadow Lawmakers
May 24, 2017
Press Release

Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Co-Chairs Introduce Resolution Recognizing May as National Foster Care Month (H. Res. 251)
May 5, 2015
Press Release
Co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, U.S. Reps. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Tom Marino (R-Penn.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Diane Black (R-Tenn.) and Jim Langevin (D-Rhode Island) joined 119 bipartisan co-sponsors in introducing H. Res. 251 recognizing May as National Foster Care Month and encouraging Congress to implement policies to improve the lives of children in the foster care system.
House unanimously passes Co-Chair Bass legislation to fight child link between sex trafficking and foster youth
January 28, 2015
Press Release
With the support of many Foster Youth Caucus members, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 469, the “Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2015.” The legislation will help to connect child victims of trafficking to appropriate services and prevent further exploitation.
House unanimously passes Bass legislation to fight child link between sex trafficking and foster youth
July 25, 2014
Press Release
The House of Representatives today unanimously passed the “Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2014,” legislation authored by Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.) that will help to connect child victims of trafficking to appropriate services and prevent further exploitation.
House Passes Bipartisan Amendment to Ensure Foster and Homeless Students Don’t Face Discrimination in Charter Schools
May 9, 2014
Press Release
Today the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan amendment authored by Reps. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Tom Marino (R-Penn.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) and Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) to H.R. 10, the “Success and Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act.” The amendment would help to ensure that foster and homeless youth are not unfairly disadvantaged in the enrollment process for charter schools.
Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Co-Chairs Introduce Resolution Recognizing May as National Foster Care Month
May 8, 2014
Press Release
Co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, U.S. Reps. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Tom Marino (R-Penn.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) and Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), joined 101 bipartisan co-sponsors in introducing a House Resolution recognizing May as National Foster Care Month and encouraging Congress to implement policies to improve the lives of children in the foster care system.
McDermott, Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth to Host Foster Youth Listening Tour in Seattle
May 24, 2013
Press Release
Next week, Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) and the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, in cooperation with Casey Family Programs, will host a two-day listening tour to discuss the foster care and child welfare systems in Washington.
Foster Youth to Attend Inauguration, Discuss Reforms to the Nation’s Foster Care System With Members of Congress
January 20, 2013
Press Release
Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.), co-founder and Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, announced she has invited three former foster youth to attend President Obama’s upcoming Inauguration, where they will also participate in meetings with lawmakers to raise awareness around the need for change within the nation’s foster care system.