Residential Education in Foster Care Legislation
For the first time, residential education is endorsed as an option for children as a matter of public policy. Public Law No: 109-288, “Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006,” specifically cites residential education in “Sec. 6. Improvements to the Child Welfare Services Program” as a placement option for children in foster care, in which Congress urges states to expand the range of services for children. This reauthorization legislation, signed on September 28, 2006, will remain in effect for at least five years.
A major advocacy victory, this provision signifies that federal policy endorses residential education as a foster care option, and implies that, as a matter of public policy, residential education is a valuable option for all at-risk youth.