MEMBER SUCCESSES /
The advocacy of SPARC members has contributed to positive changes for children and families across the country. At our 2023 convening, we asked members to reflect on major wins in their states since SPARC was first created in 2014, and the timeline below demonstrates the results of that exercise. Although this is certainly not an exhaustive list, and policies continue to evolve and change, we are proud of the advocacy and growth represented in this timeline. We look forward to seeing where child welfare policies continue to improve to better support children, youth, and families.
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
California implements Medicaid to 26 and opts to cover out-of-state youth. Medicaid enrollment for former foster youth quadruples over the next few years.
Florida creates Keys to Independence, a program that supports foster youth in accessing driver education, drivers licenses, and car insurance.
Nebraska launches its extended foster care program—Bridge to Independence.
Nebraska passes a state Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) to help ensure Native American children remain connected to their families and Tribes when an out-of-home placement is needed.
Florida affirms tuition exemption for foster youth includes graduation and professional school.
California establishes the child care bridge program to increase access to child care for parenting foster youth and resource parents.
Indiana implements a fee waiver for youth in foster care getting their driver’s license.
Indiana creates guaranteed continuous enrollment in Medicaid until age 26 for young people who turn 18 in foster care.
A federal court rules in D.O. v. Glisson that Kentucky must pay relatives who have been approved to care for children in foster care the same amount as licensed foster parents.
Florida increases support for relatives and nonrelatives and family finding.
Illinois creates protections for foster youth on who are on managed care plans pursuant to Public Act 100-0646.
Indiana legislature requires an annual report on the education outcomes of K-12 students in foster care.
Maine adds normalcy provisions to their foster youth Bill of Rights.
Michigan passed a Foster Children’s Bill of Rights.
CHAMPS-NY (Children Need Amazing Parents) was established to ensure children and youth in foster care have access to loving families – including birth, kin, foster, and adoptive parents.
Ohio begins implementing a tiered foster care model, designed to help meet the individual needs of each child and youth in care, as well as their caregivers.
Pennslyvania establishes a kin navigation program.
California enacts legislation establishing the Family Urgent Response System to provide 24/7 support to current and former foster youth and caregivers.
The Illinois legislature mandates, pursuant to Senate Resolution 403, an independent audit of DCFS’s compliance with statutory and regulatory protections for LGBTQ youth in care.
The Illinois legislature, pursuant to House Resolution 362, urges state implementation of the Family First Prevention and Services Act (FFPSA).
Indiana extends foster care services to age 23.
Iowa establishes a subsidized guardianship program to provide financial support to kinship caregivers who become legal guardians without requiring a termination of parental rights.
Kentucky begins to implement the prevention provisions of the Family First Prevention Services Act.
Kentucky expanded access to supports for kinship caregivers.
New York passes a Family First Transition Fund in their budget.
Ohio's Family First Prevention Plan is finalized.
Washington, D.C.’s Family First Prevention Plan was approved by the Children's Bureau—the first in the nation to have an approved plan.
Florida increases accountability for the state by providing required metrics and evaluation.
New York launches a Kin-First Firewall (requiring a higher level of verification that potential kinship placements have been explored) and Blind Removal Process (where cases are reviewed without identifying information to support unbiased decision-making).
New York creates new protocols for supporting youth aging out of foster care.
In Ohio $20 million is allocated for foster and kin home recruitment and retention.
The Ohio Governor’s Children Services Transformation Advisory Council – consisting of families, youth, and experts – releases recommendations for child welfare reforms including prevention, workforce, kinship and foster care.
Ohio broadens its definition of kin, so that more relatives and close family friends can be kinship placements.
Ohio establishes a new kinship support program to help kinship caregivers.
Ohio allocates $20 million to mental health providers and social workers.
DC opens Family Success Centers, offering neighborhood-based programs designed to support families through a vareity of classes, workshops, and supports.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, DC extended foster care beyond age 21, allowing youth to remain in care during an uncertain time.
California secured $222 million in state funding for prevention.
Florida expands requirements for siblings to be kept together and ensures smooth placement transitions.
Illinois established the Child Welfare Racial Disproportionality Task Force, created by Public Act 102-0506, to examine racial disparities in the child welfare system.
Illinois Governor signed Public Act 102-0649 into law that prohibits the use of shackles and chemical restraints to transport youth in care.
lllinois Governor signed Public Act 102-0502 into law that limits the child welfare agency's ability to change family visitation to be more restrictive.
lllinois Governor signed Public Act 102-0339 into law prohibits use of restraints and isolation in schools.
Indiana adds 2 seats on Committee on Improving State of Children specifically for individual with lived experience.
Indiana establishes a state tax credit to encourage private contributions to non-profit foster care and adoption organizations.
Massachusetts is awarded federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to run pre-petition programs in their state legal services programs.
Michigan creates a Kinship Advisory Council, which includes informal kinship caregivers.
Michigan increases funding for kinship navigator programs, helping connect kin with needed resources and supports.
Ohio establishes Foster Youth and Family Bills of Rights.
The Ohio Foster Youth and Family Ombudsman’s Office is signed into law.
Ohio passes law on foster parent training requirements.
DC enacts the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children.
Florida extends the tuition exemption to certain qualifying reunified youth.
Florida expands the Keys to Independence program to youth experiencing homelessness.
Florida policy establishes parity in foster care maintence payments for relative caregivers.
The Insuring Foster Youth Trust Fund is created in Indiana to offset expenses related to driving and auto insurance.
Kentucky adjusts their definition of neglect to reduce unnecessary child welfare involvement.
Maine legislation extends voluntary care extended foster care to age 23.
For the first time, Massachusetts requires the child welfare agency to provide a racial impact statement, detailing potential disparities.
Michigan awards funding for education advocates for students who are in foster care and have special education needs.
Nebraska passes a minimum wage increase through a ballot initiative.
New York's Family First Prevention Plan is approved by the federal Children's Bureau.
Ohio passes legislation that creates new pathways to employment at child welfare agencies, as a strategy to increase the foster care workforce.
Ohio Reach Program gives over $16,000 in scholarships to foster youth pursuing higher education.
Ohio extends certain COVID 19 flexibilities, such as telework policies and administrative relief, to support social workers.
Pennsylvania passed Act 118 of 2022, called the “Helping Older Foster Youth Find Permanency Act”, which focused on eliminating APPLA as a goal for youth under the age of 18, increasing requirements for family finding and identifying supportive connections, and requiring new case management and data collection efforts.
Pennsylvania passed Act 1 of 2022, which focuses on supporting graduation for students experiencing education instability. It enables school districts to remove educational and graduation barriers for students who move between school entities due to homelessness, adjudication, foster care, and juvenile justice or court-ordered placements
Rhode Island passes the Cover All Kids Bill which provides health insurance for all children regardless of immigration status.
Washington, D.C. joins the Thriving Families Safer Children Initiative. D.C.'s Ombudsperson is hired and begins to set up the office.
Florida begins to require the child welfare agency to educate youth about their rights and codifies the role of a Children's Ombudsman.
Georgia appoints a state Children in Need of Services (CHINS) coordinator.
Illinois Governor signed Public Act 103-0397 expanding the office of the juvenile ombudsperson to include oversight of juvenile detention centers.
Illinois Governor signed Public Act 103-0233 to reform Illinois child neglect statute pertaining to unsupervised minors.
Differential response is re-launched in Kentucky, and includes cash assistance for families.
Maine passes a state statute that mirrors federal ICWA legislation, prioritizing placement of children and youth in tribal communities.
Through legal advocacy, Massachusetts child welfare agency is required to provide fair hearings for a new category of cases.
New York increases monthly housing subsidy for families and youth involved in the child welfare system from $300 to $725.
In Washington, D.C., the Child and Family Services Agency soft launches the Warmline (also referred to as 211), which is the District's centralized hub for social service resources and referrals. The Warmline aims to reduce child maltreatment by increasing access to supports and services. The Warmline was officially launched on February 11, 2025.