Technical corrections only. The changes between v1 and v2 reflect the bill's progression through the House, including the addition of sponsors and reporting information. The substantive legislative text remains identical, with no policy changes.
CONNECT Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
- Committees
- Ways and Means Committee (primary)
- Last action
- May 11, 2026
Bottom line
The bill reorients the Chafee Foster Care Program to explicitly prioritize relationship-building and peer support for youth transitioning out of foster care, aiming to foster lifelong connections.
What it actually does
This bill, known as the "CONNECT Act," amends the Social Security Act to update the statutory purposes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood. It introduces new objectives focused on helping youth who have experienced foster care develop and maintain sustained, supportive relationships with adults, mentors, and peers, and supports their participation in permanency planning and access to peer support. The bill also mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on these new purposes.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the bill reflects critical research and the lived experiences of youth, demonstrating that strong, long-term relationships are fundamental for successful transitions to adulthood. They contend that explicitly incorporating relationship-building and peer support into the program's core purposes will significantly improve outcomes for foster youth by combating isolation and establishing vital support networks.
Opponents contend
Opponents might express concern that while the intent is laudable, the bill introduces new programmatic priorities without providing additional funding, potentially straining existing resources for other essential transition services like housing or education. They may also raise questions about the practical challenges of implementing and measuring the effectiveness of relationship-focused interventions.
The bill is exceptionally concise and clear, allowing ample time for any interested reader to fully understand its provisions and implications.
Section 2(a)
Updating the Purposes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program
This provision amends Section 477(a) of the Social Security Act, which defines the purposes of the Chafee Foster Care Program. It strikes an existing paragraph and inserts two new ones. The first new purpose directs the program to help youth aged 14 or older who have experienced foster care to develop and maintain sustained, supportive relationships with adults, mentors, and peers, aiming to reduce isolation and build lifelong support networks. The second new purpose supports youth still in foster care (age 14 or older) in exercising their rights to participate in permanency planning and facilitates pre- and post-permanency peer support, mentoring, and connections with kin.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that these updated purposes directly address a critical gap in current foster care transition services by prioritizing the development of stable, long-term relationships, which are vital for the well-being and success of youth transitioning out of care. They emphasize that research and youth input highlight the importance of these connections.
Critics contend
Critics might express concern that by explicitly adding these new purposes, states and agencies could be compelled to reallocate resources from other established transition services, potentially diluting the overall effectiveness of the Chafee program without additional funding to support the new mandates.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the need to address the social and emotional well-being of foster youth through relationship-building with the potential challenge of implementing these new priorities within existing program structures and funding levels. It seeks to integrate a more holistic view of success beyond just independent living skills.
Section 2(b)
HHS Guidance on New Program Purposes
This provision mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), within one year of the bill's enactment and after consulting with youth with lived foster care experience, issue guidance to States and Tribal child welfare agencies. This guidance must include examples of services eligible for federal funding, best practices for facilitating peer support and connections (including minimum qualifications and training for mentors), standards for outreach to eligible youth, and protocols for documenting support activities in case plans.