Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) recently introducted the bipartisan Strengthening America’s Families Act (SAFA) on Thursday, July 30th—exciting news for babies and families in the child welfare system. SAFA would spread the infant-toddler court team approach to build state and local systems that support a range of comprehensive, trauma-informed infant, toddler, and family services for families in the child welfare system and in need of preventative services. At the community level, the teams work to use existing resources more effectively and become problem-solvers, removing barriers and filling gaps to better serve families. SAFA would provide seed money to states to create the state infrastructure and establish or enhance local “beachhead” sites until the approach takes hold in the state. The bill would also provide technical assistance to help guide the states and local programs. Almost 100 sites around the country have implemented this approach or are in the process of doing so.

ZERO TO THREE is spearheading a sign-on letter in support of the bill for national and state/local organizations. Please consider adding your organization’s support to help fill the gaps for babies and families in the child welfare system.

A link to the sign on letter can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zmytXvL2SnPRp18YEw97jbcuzmq9vyno/view?usp=sharing 

A link to the bill text can be found here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7868/text?r=25&s=1

A link to the bill one-pager can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yHnRV76z354pZoi80RlcCc431fFu5SC8/view?usp=sharing

A link to the Dear Colleague can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1opUcboyseuWtxxDBrj00qymzlu8esmWp/view?usp=sharing

The deadline to sign on is Monday, August 31st by COB.