Should a Federal Task Force Compile Resources to Help Grandparents Raising Grandchildren? (S. 1091)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is S. 1091?
(Updated November 16, 2018)
This bill was enacted on July 7, 2018
This bill would require the creation of a Federal Task Force to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren that focuses on expanding information and resources available to grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. It would identify and disseminate information to help grandparents meet the health, educational, nutritional needs of the children they’re raising — in some cases because of the opioid epidemic — while also helping grandparents maintain their own physical, mental, and emotional health.
Within 180 days, the Task Force would be required to submit a report to the Special Committee on Aging and the Senate HELP Committee including best practices and resources for grandparents and other relatives raising children in their care. The report would also identify gaps in the needs of grandparents and other relatives raising such children, and the Task Force would be required to create a process for members of the public to provide their input.
The Task Force would terminate five years after this legislation’s enactment. It would be composed of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Attorney General, the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Asst. Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, and the Asst.Secretary for the Administration of Children and Families.
Argument in favor
Grandparents raising their grandchildren, particularly those doing so because of the opioid crisis, need more information and resources at their disposal. A federal task force would help provide that.
Argument opposed
Information and resources gathered by a federal task force will be of limited help to grandparents raising their grandchildren.
Impact
Grandparents and the grandchildren they’re raising; and the Dept. of Health and Human Services.
Cost of S. 1091
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
In-Depth: Sponsoring Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced this bill to create a federal task force charged with supporting grandparents raising grandchildren:
“As the opioid epidemic expands, grandparents increasingly are being called on to become the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. Although this caretaker role can be beneficial for both the grandparents and the grandchildren, it also presents several challenges. Our legislation would spur a federal effort to identify, promote, coordinate and disseminate information, resources and best practices that assist grandparent who are raising grandchildren.”
Lead cosponsor, Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), offered the following statement in support of the bill:
“The opioid crisis is not only straining families, communities, law enforcement and health care systems, but it is also presents new challenges for older Americans. As older Americans respond by stepping in to care for their grandchildren, this legislation is designed to say that you are not alone and that we have your back, with a focused federal effort to providing the information and supports grandparents need.”
Of Note: About 2.6 million children are currently being raised in “grandfamilies,” and the number is rising because of the opioid crisis.
Media:
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Sponsoring Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) Press Release
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Bangor Daily News
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The Grandparent Effect
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Opportunity Lives
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Seacoastonline
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Ripon Advance
Summary by Eric Revell
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