Furthering Opioid Services, Training, and Education Resources Act; FOSTER Act
Summary
The FOSTER Act amends the 21st Century Cures Act to bolster support for state and local agencies addressing the opioid crisis, particularly concerning children and families. It focuses on providing resources to caregivers, kinship care families, and kinship caregivers. The bill authorizes additional appropriations through 2033 and sets aside funds for specific support services.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely increase the availability of opioid abuse prevention and treatment services for children and families. It will also provide additional funding for workforce recruitment and training in this area. Kinship caregivers will receive targeted support, potentially improving outcomes for children in their care.
Potential Benefits
- Increased funding for opioid abuse prevention and treatment.
- Improved support for kinship care families and caregivers.
- Enhanced workforce training for those addressing the opioid crisis.
- Better access to healthcare services for affected children and families.
- Potential for stronger family and community well-being.
Potential Disadvantages
- The bill's effectiveness depends on the efficient allocation and use of funds by state and local agencies.
- There might be challenges in recruiting and training a sufficient workforce.
- The 1% set-aside for subsection (b)(4)(F) may be insufficient to fully address the needs of kinship caregivers.
- Potential for bureaucratic hurdles in accessing the funds and services.
- The long-term impact on reducing opioid abuse and supporting affected families remains uncertain.
Constitutional Alignment
The FOSTER Act aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). Congress has the power to allocate funds for programs that promote the well-being of citizens, particularly vulnerable populations like children and families affected by the opioid crisis. The Act does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).