Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
- Committees
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 22, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to better recognize, support, and integrate kinship families into child abuse prevention and treatment efforts by amending federal law to reflect their unique needs and circumstances.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to enhance support and protections for children being raised in kinship families, often referred to as 'grandfamilies,' particularly those outside the formal foster care system. It expands representation on the Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, requires the National Clearinghouse to coordinate with kinship support networks, and directs states receiving CAPTA grants to prioritize kinship placements and provide specific services and training for kinship caregivers.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that the bill addresses a critical gap in the child welfare system by formally recognizing and supporting the millions of children being raised by relatives or close family friends outside of traditional foster care. They contend that kinship care provides stability and cultural continuity for vulnerable children, especially those affected by parental substance misuse, and that this bill will ensure these families receive the necessary resources, training, and prioritization to prevent child abuse and neglect effectively.
Opponents contend
Critics might express concerns about the potential for increased administrative burden on state and local child welfare agencies due to new reporting requirements and programmatic directives without corresponding increases in federal funding. Some may also argue that while kinship care is valuable, diverting children from the formal child welfare system could reduce oversight and accountability, potentially leaving some children at risk if kinship caregivers are not adequately vetted or supported.
The bill is short and clearly written, making it accessible for a quick and informed read.
Section 3(a)
Expand Advisory Board Representation
This provision amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to include representatives from organizations providing services to kinship families, as well as birth parents, kinship caregivers, and foster care alumni, on the Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect. This ensures a broader range of perspectives, particularly those with lived experience in kinship and foster care, are considered in federal policy recommendations.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that including individuals with direct experience as kinship caregivers, birth parents, and foster care alumni will bring invaluable real-world perspectives to the Advisory Board, leading to more effective and empathetic child abuse prevention and treatment strategies that better reflect the needs of affected families.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against expanding advisory board representation, as it generally enhances diverse perspectives without direct fiscal or programmatic mandates. Potential concerns might be about the practicalities of managing a larger board or ensuring balanced representation.
Tradeoffs
The tradeoff involves balancing the desire for broad representation with the need for an efficient and focused advisory body. While diverse voices are crucial, managing a larger group can sometimes introduce complexities in decision-making.
Section 3(b)
National Clearinghouse Coordination with Kinship Support Network
This provision requires the National Clearinghouse for Information Relating to Child Abuse to coordinate with the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center. The goal is to disseminate information about evidence-based, evidence-informed, and exemplary practices that support children being raised in kinship families, both within and outside the child welfare system.
Section 3(c)
Grant Requirements for Kinship Equity and Prioritization
This provision amends CAPTA to require recipients of certain grants (for child abuse prevention and treatment programs) to implement procedures that reflect equity for children placed with kin. These procedures must prioritize kinship placement as the first option, identify and engage kin as supports, prioritize licensing kin as foster parents, support permanent families for kin-placed children, and build strong community networks for kin families.
Section 3(d)(1) and (2)
State Plan Requirements: Prioritizing Kinship Placements and Kinship Navigators
This provision amends CAPTA to require State plans for child abuse or neglect prevention and treatment programs to include how kinship placements will be prioritized. Additionally, it mandates that these State plans coordinate with 'kinship navigators' alongside other service agencies. Kinship navigators are programs designed to help kinship caregivers find and access resources.
Section 3(d)(3)
Reporting on Children Diverted to Kinship Care
This provision amends CAPTA's reporting requirements for states. States will now need to report the number of children who were diverted from the formal child welfare system to live with kin outside of foster care and, crucially, the number of those children who did not receive services under the State program or an equivalent State program during the year.
Section 3(e)(1)
Community-Based Grants to Support Kinship Families
This provision adds a new purpose to the Community-Based Grants for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect program under CAPTA. It explicitly states that these grants should be used to 'support the unique needs of kinship families raising children inside or outside the foster care system.' This clarifies and expands the scope of eligible activities for these grants.
Section 3(e)(2)(A)
Expanded Eligibility for Local Program Services
This provision expands the eligibility for local program requirements under CAPTA's community-based grants. It adds 'families where children are being raised by kin because their parents cannot raise them' to the list of groups that local programs must serve, alongside parents who are adult former victims of domestic violence or child abuse/neglect.
Section 3(e)(2)(B)
Required Training for Kinship Caregivers
This provision mandates that local programs receiving community-based grants provide specific training to kinship caregivers. This training must cover caring for children with behavioral or mental health challenges, how to access eligible services, understanding substance use disorders, and the impact of trauma on children.
Section 3(e)(2)(C)
Collaboration with Kinship Caregivers and Foster Care Alumni
This provision amends CAPTA to require local programs receiving community-based grants to collaborate with 'kinship caregivers, and foster care alumni' in addition to parents. This ensures that the design and implementation of child abuse prevention programs benefit from the direct input and experiences of those most affected by the child welfare system.