The National Family Preservation Network (NFPN) appreciates that many of you pass along this newsletter to others. It would be especially helpful to pass along this month's NFPN News Notes as it contains an action item. Thanks in advance for sharing this information.

The only designated federal funding source for family preservation and reunification is the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Act (PSSF). Funds for this program go to state child welfare agencies and may be used for family support, family preservation and reunification, and adoption. NFPN was instrumental in passage of the initial legislation, which is reauthorized every five years. The funding level has been increased in recent years and $395 million was appropriated for the current fiscal year.

Bills to reauthorize PSSF have been passed by both the Senate and House with an additional $40 million in earmarked funds. The Senate bill earmarks the funds for social workers to visit children in foster care at least monthly. The House bill specifies that the funds be used for competitive grants for meth treatment for families. NFPN has expressed strong concerns about using PSSF funds for foster care services. These funds were never intended for, nor have they previously been used for, foster care as foster care has other sources of federal funding. Using the funds for foster care programs would set a precedent that could eventually result in displacing federal funding for family preservation and reunification.

Because the bills have been passed in different forms, they will now be sent to a conference committee where the final decision will be made on how the $40 million will be allocated. This is a critical time to share your views. Congress is in recess during the month of August so please contact your legislators' district offices. You can begin by thanking them for reauthorizing PSSF and providing additional funding. The House put their bill language (HR 5640) onto the Senate bill (S 3525) before passing it so, to avoid confusion, state that you support using the additional $40 million for meth treatment programs. This is also a great opportunity for you to include some information on what your organization is doing to preserve and reunify families. Invite your congressional delegation to visit your organization and learn more about your programs. Both versions of the bill require that states must now report on how the funds are spent so it's timely to demonstrate how the money can be put to good use.

To track the legislation and find out how to contact your senators and representatives, visit http://thomas.loc.gov.

Thank you for advocating on behalf of family preservation and reunification and for all of your work on behalf of families.

- Priscilla Martens
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