The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #4 on Resolution D046 (Supporting Child Welfare Systems and Foster Care) and moved adoption.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D046)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church affirm the need for governments, The Episcopal Church, and all people to support the child welfare system and the needs of children who are in foster care as well as  their families; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church acknowledge that children caught in the child welfare system are some of the most vulnerable individual members of our society and we all have a responsibility for ensuring their safety and well-being; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church commit to working towards a just child welfare system by supporting legislation that:

• Creates a system where children of color are not unfairly over-represented;
• Ensures protections for children in foster care of all sexual orientations, and gender identities, recognizing their unique needs;
• Ensures protections for adults seeking to be foster parents that they not be discriminated against because of their race/ethnic background, gender, age, marital status, family size, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation, or any other factor not relevant to being a good foster parent;
• Creating an equal access to resources and funding for all children who are involved in child protective and foster care systems;
• Create adequate training and funding for caseworkers in the child welfare system;
• Create a right to counsel for all parties involved in the foster care system;
• Create a continuum of care for youth aging out of foster care that includes counseling, medical care, education, housing and other resources;
• Urging full flexible funding for sufficient resources for the child welfare system, especially for guardianship, reunification, education and counseling; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church urge Episcopalians to prayerfully consider how they can support children in foster care, through fostering, mentorship, or other forms of support; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church direct the Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations to advocate to the U.S. government on behalf of The Episcopal Church for reform to the child welfare system to ensure sufficient resources, protections for children and families, and support for children as they transition; and that the Episcopal Public Policy Network assist with this issue in their capacity.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #37)