A Biden Child Welfare Agenda
The election of former Vice President Joe Biden provides an opportunity to end the war against poor families waged by the Trump administration. President Trump sought to deny millions of Americans – including children – health care, food stamps and cash assistance. His policies ripped children from parents escaping poverty, violence and abuse in their home countries. He refused to fight for economic security – like a living wage – that would have provided more stability in the lives of low-income families. Research informs us that these types of supports are exactly what families need to safely care for their children and prevent the unnecessary entry of kids into foster care. The Biden administration gives us hope that a broad anti-poverty agenda might be forthcoming that can provide respite to both struggling families and an overburdened foster care system. Yet, in one important area, the Biden administration should simply build on the work of his predecessor – child welfare policy.