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BRIEF: Buchanan's bill meant to keep families together becomes law

The Herald-Tribune - 2/10/2018

Feb. 09--A series of measures put forward by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan to help avoid placing children in foster care gained approval this week when they passed as part of a bipartisan budget deal.

Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, had been working to pass his Family First Prevention Services Act. The measure cleared the House unanimously in 2016. It failed to gain approval in the Senate that year but was revived as part of the budget bill signed by President Donald Trump on Friday.

More funding now will be directed toward the child welfare system, including money for a program that works to prevent child abuse and neglect stemming from drug addiction. The bill also supports initiatives to "update antiquated child placement systems" to reduce wait times, help grandparents caring for grandchildren who have been removed from their homes and "provide parent training and family therapy."

"This bill makes sure that children are protected and families are not split up unnecessarily," Buchanan said in a news release. "Our current system creates a perverse incentive to place children in foster care. Breaking up families should be a last resort."

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