A Home for Every Child Initiative Welcomed by Montana Governor

The Montana weather as of late has been making most of the headlines, with many wondering about the pending heat and of course wildfire season.  Even this week, Governor Greg Gianforte was meeting with wildland fire agencies to learn more.

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And while fire is definitely important to many in our state, Governor Gianforte was also busy hosting Assistant Secretary Alex Adams of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF).  The meeting at the capitol was to announce a new national initiative aimed at "improving outcomes for children and strengthening the foster care system."

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A Home for Every Child Initiative Welcomed by Montana Governor

A Home for Every Child is the new initiative announced through the governor's official press release.  In making the proclamation, Gov. Gianforte said that "every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable, and loving home."

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The ACF program proposes to "ensure that for every child who enters foster care, a licensed foster home or kinship placement is available" and "to achieve a home-to-child ratio greater than 1:1 across participating states."

Real Time Outcomes That Matter in Montana Says DPHHS Director

The Montana Department of Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton echoed the Governor's comments, stating that the ACF program real-time outcomes that are most important including "improving the foster home to child ratio while prioritizing kinship placements, child safety, and permanency."

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According to the press release from the governor's office, since taking office in 2021 Governor Gianforte has championed efforts to reduce the number of children in foster care.  Statistics show the state had nearly 3,300 foster care children in early 2021.  That number has been reduced to 1,749 currently, for a 47 percent decrease in the number of kids in care since the governor took office.