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Feb 17, 2007

Bill To Be Introduced On Benefits For Foster Children

This is from a press release issued by First Star and Representative Fortney (Pete) Stark of California, who is the second ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee and who is on its Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, but not the Chairman of that Subcommittee:
First Star announced today that a Capitol Hill briefing will be held Friday, February 16, 2007, at 9:30AM in Room 318 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The briefing will focus on the common state practice of robbing disabled and orphaned foster children of Social Security and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits to which they are entitled. Congressman Pete Stark will introduce legislation which will enable the fair disbursement of such benefits to America's foster youth.
What: This briefing will highlight some of the real world
consequences that adversely affect the lives foster
children. Congressman Pete Stark will introduce the Foster
Children Self-Support Act that serves to ensure that foster
children are able to use their social security and SSI
benefits to address their needs and improve upon their
lives. This briefing is co-sponsored by First Star
(www.firststar.org), a 501(c) (3) public charity dedicated
to improving life for child victims of abuse and neglect.

Where: Rayburn House Office Building - Room B-318

When: Friday, February 16, 2007 at 9:30 a.m.

Why: Disabled foster children and those who have lost one or both
of their parents are eligible for Social Security and/or SSI
benefits. Unfortunately, instead of setting this money
aside to be used in the best interest of the child, states
are allowed to use this money as a funding stream by making
themselves the Social Security payee for children in foster
care and then keeping the money for themselves.

Who: U.S. Representative Pete Stark (CA-13th)
Jeff Hild, Office of Congressman Pete Stark
Shawnita T., Former foster youth
Daniel Hatcher, Esq., University of Baltimore Law School
Montella Smith, University of Baltimore Law School
Lewis Pitts, Esq., Legal Aid of North Carolina, Advocates
for Children's Services
Sherry Quirk, Esq., Co-founder, First Star and Partner,
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Deborah Sams, CEO, First Star
Whytni Kernodle Frederick, Esq., Program Director, Legal
Projects, First Star

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