Foster Care Stabilization Act of 2026

This bill would require the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services to award 3 demonstration grants of up to $1,000,000 each to local public or private nonprofit agencies, including community or faith-based groups, that serve foster youth. The grants would fund emergency relief and services for foster youth waiting for placement, such as hiring staff, buying food, and providing clothing and personal items up to $250 per youth per year. Agencies would have 3 years to spend the money and would return unused funds. The Secretary would post the grant notice publicly, make outreach efforts to rural areas and tribal and Native Hawaiian organizations, and report to Congress on how the money was used and on outcomes for youth. Funding would come from certain year-over-year increases in an existing child welfare funding stream.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Deb Fischer Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors