Create Accountable Respectful Environments (CARE) for Children Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
- Committees
- Ways and Means Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Aug 15, 2025
Bottom line
This bill expands federal foster care funding eligibility to a new category of residential care facility, aiming to increase placement options and improve care standards for foster children, particularly sibling groups, while preserving state flexibility.
What it actually does
This bill amends Title IV-E of the Social Security Act to expand eligibility for federal foster care maintenance payments to include children placed in 'cottage family homes.' It establishes a detailed definition for these homes, requiring them to be state-licensed, support family connections, facilitate sibling group placement, provide age-appropriate activities, implement trauma-informed care, and prohibit certain restraints, among other standards. The bill also exempts children in these homes from existing time limits on federal foster care payments.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue this bill addresses the critical shortage of appropriate foster homes, facilitates keeping sibling groups together, and ensures a child's ongoing safety and well-being by establishing clear, high standards for 'cottage family homes.' They contend these homes offer a valuable, family-like alternative to traditional foster homes and larger institutional settings, providing professional oversight and trauma-informed care.
Opponents contend
Potential opponents might argue that expanding federal funding to a new category of residential care, even one designed to be family-like, could inadvertently divert resources or policy focus away from traditional family-based foster care, which many child welfare advocates prioritize as the ideal placement. Concerns could also be raised about ensuring these homes genuinely replicate a family environment rather than becoming another form of institutional care.
The bill is very concise and clearly written, allowing for a quick and thorough understanding of its provisions.
Section 2(a), amending Section 471(a)(37) of the Social Security Act
Inclusion of Cottage Family Homes in State Plans
This provision requires state plans for foster care and adoption assistance to formally recognize and include 'cottage family homes' as an approved placement option. This means states must integrate these homes into their child welfare systems to remain eligible for federal funding under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act.
Supporters argue
Supporters contend this ensures states formally recognize and can utilize cottage family homes, thereby expanding the range of available, federally-supported placements for foster children.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this administrative update, assuming the underlying policy of incorporating cottage family homes is accepted.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances state autonomy in managing child welfare systems with federal requirements to ensure a consistent standard of care and eligibility for federal funding.
Section 2(b), amending Section 472(a)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act
Federal Funding Eligibility for Children in Cottage Family Homes
This provision makes children placed in 'cottage family homes' eligible for federal foster care maintenance payments under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. This means the federal government will reimburse states for a portion of the costs associated with caring for children in these specific types of homes, provided the homes meet federal criteria.
Section 2(c), adding Section 472(c)(3) to the Social Security Act
Detailed Definition and Standards for 'Cottage Family Home'
This section provides a comprehensive definition of a 'cottage family home,' outlining ten specific requirements. These include being state-licensed, encouraging strong family connections, facilitating sibling group placement, providing age-appropriate activities, implementing a trauma-informed approach, prohibiting certain restraints, having a child feedback system, using continuous quality improvement, being a single-family style residence with limited children per bedroom, and having live-in 'parents' who use the reasonable and prudent parent standard. It also explicitly preserves state flexibility in how they classify and treat these homes.
Section 2(d), amending Section 472(k)(2) of the Social Security Act
Exemption from Time Limits for Cottage Family Homes
This provision exempts children placed in 'cottage family homes' from the existing time limits on foster care maintenance payments that apply to certain other residential care settings. This means federal funding for children in these homes can continue indefinitely as long as the child remains eligible for foster care, providing financial stability for long-term placements.
This clause explicitly states that the Secretary of Health and Human Services may not prohibit, limit, penalize, or bring legal action against a State's determination to treat a cottage family home as a foster family home or to treat an entity as a cottage family care home, as the State deems necessary to serve the best interests of children or families.
Section 2(c), new Section 472(c)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act
Why it matters:This is a protective measure for states, common in federal legislation, to clarify the balance of power and prevent federal overreach in the implementation of new programs. It aims to ensure states retain flexibility.
Case for: Supporters argue this ensures states retain crucial flexibility in how they interpret and apply the new federal definition, allowing them to tailor implementation to local needs and existing child welfare structures without fear of federal penalties.
Case against: Critics might argue that such broad flexibility could lead to inconsistent application of standards across states, potentially undermining the federal intent of establishing a uniform baseline for quality and safety in cottage family homes.
Estimated impact: Potentially significant impact on the consistency and rigor of cottage family home implementation across different states, allowing for varied approaches.