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senate Bill S. 1091

Should a Federal Task Force Compile Resources to Help Grandparents Raising Grandchildren?

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.

Kelsey 's Opinion
···
07/07/2017
For right-wingers who can only see money - helping grandparents so that kids stay out of foster care will save millions of dollars in the long run. For those with hearts who actually care about kids - everything should be done to place kids with familiar people and keep them out of the disaster that is foster care.
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David's Opinion
···
07/08/2017
Sometimes I wonder about some of the comments for or against a bill, especially after I read the summary as well as the bill it's self. This bill does not intrude on the lives of Americans, this bill is designed to locate resources for grandparents and other relatives raising another family members children and pass that information on to the grandparents or other relatives. This bill would be a help to those that are stepping up to care for these children and get them the support they need.
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Rob's Opinion
···
07/07/2017
Helping people in need is all of our responsibility. Yes the government is us!
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Argument opposed

Information and resources gathered by a federal task force will be of limited help to grandparents raising their grandchildren.

Loraki's Opinion
···
07/07/2017
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???! SUSAN COLLINS MUST BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST RINOs IN THE SENATE!!! She should be PERMANENTLY RETIRED FROM POLITICS by her constituents! My jaw dropped when I saw this bill was sponsored by a member of the GOP! It sounds like it HAD to be the brainchild of a member of the COMMUNIST party! Last time I checked, we were not living in a Communist collective. Moreover, this bill is an INSULT to grandparents everywhere! Unless proven mentally incompetent to rear their grandchildren, such people in all probability have access to healthcare providers, school personnel, local government officials, friends and family, and/or others, not to mention libraries and the internet, so there's no lack of resources already available to them. Lastly, this is SO not the business of the federal government!!! You are not our nanny!! You have NO RIGHT to assume that we need you to help us manage our lives!!! I suggest that Senator Collins read the CONSTITUTION! Or better yet, find herself another job! I VOTE NAY! I really like the way Countable member Jerry M. put it: "These people already ha,ve experience raising a child successfully or no, and don't need another nanny state overseeing, investigating and controlling their behavior! To assume these people are so unintelligent as to need investigated, analyzed and assisted is arrogant in the extreme. Hubris! Congress should stay out of our business and concentrate on the common defense. They should certainly stay out of our families!" Well said, indeed, Jerry!
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MJDalio's Opinion
···
07/08/2017
I am one of those grandparents raising grandchildren. The last thing I want or need is some bureaucrat telling me what or how to deal with this. This is none of their business.
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David's Opinion
···
07/07/2017
I do not think this is the business of the Federal Government. State and local governments and/or various charitable organizations can handle this need more efficiently and directly.
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What is Senate Bill S. 1091?

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.

Impact

Grandparents and the grandchildren they’re raising; and the Dept. of Health and Human Services.

Cost of Senate Bill S. 1091

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

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:

Summary by Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Pixabay / Public Domain)

AKA

Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act

Official Title

An Act to establish a Federal Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

bill Progress

  • EnactedJuly 7th, 2018
    The President signed this bill into law
  • The house Passed June 13th, 2018
    Passed by Voice Vote
      house Committees
      Committee on Education and Labor
      Committee on Energy and Commerce
      Health
  • The senate Passed March 22nd, 2018
    Passed by Voice Vote
      senate Committees
      Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
    IntroducedMay 10th, 2017
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!
    Kelsey 's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    For right-wingers who can only see money - helping grandparents so that kids stay out of foster care will save millions of dollars in the long run. For those with hearts who actually care about kids - everything should be done to place kids with familiar people and keep them out of the disaster that is foster care.
    Like (88)
    Follow
    Share
    Loraki's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/07/2017
    ARE YOU KIDDING ME???! SUSAN COLLINS MUST BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST RINOs IN THE SENATE!!! She should be PERMANENTLY RETIRED FROM POLITICS by her constituents! My jaw dropped when I saw this bill was sponsored by a member of the GOP! It sounds like it HAD to be the brainchild of a member of the COMMUNIST party! Last time I checked, we were not living in a Communist collective. Moreover, this bill is an INSULT to grandparents everywhere! Unless proven mentally incompetent to rear their grandchildren, such people in all probability have access to healthcare providers, school personnel, local government officials, friends and family, and/or others, not to mention libraries and the internet, so there's no lack of resources already available to them. Lastly, this is SO not the business of the federal government!!! You are not our nanny!! You have NO RIGHT to assume that we need you to help us manage our lives!!! I suggest that Senator Collins read the CONSTITUTION! Or better yet, find herself another job! I VOTE NAY! I really like the way Countable member Jerry M. put it: "These people already ha,ve experience raising a child successfully or no, and don't need another nanny state overseeing, investigating and controlling their behavior! To assume these people are so unintelligent as to need investigated, analyzed and assisted is arrogant in the extreme. Hubris! Congress should stay out of our business and concentrate on the common defense. They should certainly stay out of our families!" Well said, indeed, Jerry!
    Like (37)
    Follow
    Share
    David's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/08/2017
    Sometimes I wonder about some of the comments for or against a bill, especially after I read the summary as well as the bill it's self. This bill does not intrude on the lives of Americans, this bill is designed to locate resources for grandparents and other relatives raising another family members children and pass that information on to the grandparents or other relatives. This bill would be a help to those that are stepping up to care for these children and get them the support they need.
    Like (31)
    Follow
    Share
    Rob's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    Helping people in need is all of our responsibility. Yes the government is us!
    Like (30)
    Follow
    Share
    MJDalio's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/08/2017
    I am one of those grandparents raising grandchildren. The last thing I want or need is some bureaucrat telling me what or how to deal with this. This is none of their business.
    Like (24)
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    Timnyc's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    Anyway to help grandparents with better resources and support is an excellent opportunity for us to help and support the future generations.This would fill an often overlooked population of needy families.
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    David's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/07/2017
    I do not think this is the business of the Federal Government. State and local governments and/or various charitable organizations can handle this need more efficiently and directly.
    Like (17)
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    IllWill's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    I don't see any problem with this. Grandparents are frequently in situations where they need to raise children. We should be giving them as much support as possible.
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    Diane's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    Because it makes sense. Especially for those grandparents who may be on a fixed or low income to begin with and now must raise a family again. Food and clothing and shelter are not cheap. We need to help these folks out. Just as they are helping Society as a whole bye taking responsibility for these innocent children who otherwise would end up in the system.
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    Bambi's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    Definitely yes! I raised a grandson until he was 3 yrs old and resources would have been a big help.
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    Renee's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/07/2017
    A lot of grandparents care for their grandchildren to keep them out of the foster care system. We have to provide them with resources to help.
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    Lilly.Forest's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    I've seen first hand how hard it is for a grandparent to take custody of their grandchild. The advice of lawyers, social workers, school representatives and pediatricians are just a few examples of information that is hard to find. Anything that can help this increasing dilemma should be encouraged.
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    Fred's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    They are most likely on a fixed income and could use help
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    Ray's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/07/2017
    This is a local issue, not a federal one.
    Like (7)
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    Melissa's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    Raising a child today is not the same as it was 25 years ago AND most cases of grandparents raising grandkids result from some kind of traumatic event. Grandparents can provide the love and support but may not know about the current resources available for them. My hope is that the end result will be a single portal for these "second round" parents to access everything they need to help their grandkids. Giving grandparents what they need to be successful in this difficult circumstance could keep thousands of children out of the foster system.
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    NoHedges's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/28/2017
    Yes, the number of grandparents needed to step forward is increasing at a staggering pace. We need to assist them in caring for the next generation.
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    TydalForce's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    A bipartisan bill to actually help families in need. Sounds wonderful!
    Like (6)
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    Gretchen's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    So many things have changed since many grandparents raised their own children. From car seats and auto safety to foods and new types of playground dos and don't. They need lots of help and resources!
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    siggiesmom's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/07/2017
    I can appreciate the sentiment, but the Federal Government is already too intrusive in people's lives. Local charities, churches, synagogues and mosques should do this.
    Like (5)
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    Dorothy's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/07/2017
    Children are our most valuable resource. We MUST do whatever we can to ensure that they grow up healthy and safe. Caregivers from within the family are far superior to any government appointed substitute. Whoever the caregiver is, they should be supported with respect, for the service they are doing for us all. Please vote for this bill.
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