Rubio, Casey Introduce Helping HANDS for Families Act

Press Release

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Helping Households And Neighbors Distribute Services (HANDS) for Families Act to empower civil institutions, such as nonprofit organizations and churches, to better meet child welfare needs in the communities they serve. 
 
Specifically, the bill would allow states to use funding under the MaryLee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF) program to create electronic portals that would connect child welfare cases with civil institutions ready and willing to help. 
 

"Churches and nonprofit organizations play a vital role in helping struggling families. The government should make it easy for community organizations to support families in foster care. This bill would help promote coordination and partnership between child welfare agencies and community organizations to better serve families and individuals in their community. For a foster child and family in need, this can make an incredible difference." -- Senator Rubio

 
U.S. Representative Carol Miller (R-WV) and Judy Chu (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

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