Legislation To Lift Up Foster Children, Families
Foster youth often face numerous challenges that can impact their development and future. Every child deserves a safe, loving home, and this session I’m working on several bills to support and create more opportunities for Hoosier foster children.
Keeping siblings together in foster care can put them in the best position to overcome emotional trauma, and succeed at school and in life. I often hear about the challenges and results of siblings being separated when placed into foster care. According to Casey Family Programs, between 65-85% of children in foster care have a sibling in care, yet an estimated 53-80% of children with siblings are separated from one or more of their siblings while in care. I authored a new law this year to help keep more sibling groups together by requiring a court to consider whether the child will be separated from a sibling, and whether that separation is in the child’s best interest. Ensuring that these relationships are taken into consideration will help prioritize the well-being, safety and mental health of these children.
Foster youth also often face challenges when it comes to obtaining a driver’s license and car insurance, which can create more independence and opportunities as they transition to adulthood. According to the Indiana-based nonprofit Foster Success, children in foster care often pay over 40% more than their peers for auto insurance, because they don’t have an adult to add them to an existing plan. I co-sponsored legislation last year to establish the Insuring Foster Youth Trust Fund, which helps these young Hoosiers cover costs associated with getting a driver’s license. This fund uses public and private dollars to offset the cost of car insurance and supervised driving hours.
To build on our existing efforts, I sponsored legislation this session to boost funding by expanding the foster care support tax credit to include anyone who contributes to the Insuring Foster Youth Trust Fund. The legislation would also give foster families free access to state parks. This is an important step to ensure the program is funded so these foster youth have access to car insurance, and have the tools and support to be successful now and into the future.
Helping foster families and improving the foster care system is rewarding and fulfilling. I appreciate the invaluable work of Indiana’s foster parents and the providers who serve the most vulnerable among us. Please reach out to me if you would like to provide feedback on this legislation or have ideas on how Indiana can better serve those in need at h24@iga.in.gov or by calling 317-232-9833. If you’re considering becoming a foster parent or would like to volunteer to help locally, I hope you consider contacting The Villages or the Cooper House, which serve foster youth and families.
-State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel) represents House District 24, which includes portions of Boone and Hamilton counties.