Poverty Prevention Act: Keeping Families Together Through Crisis Support
This law amends family assistance programs to allow states to fund nonrecurring, short-term crisis benefits, including support for housing, utilities, and food. The goal is to prevent child welfare agencies from removing a child from their home solely due to poverty and lack of basic necessities. States must implement new policies and training to prioritize keeping families intact by offering immediate support.
Key points
Introduction of short-term financial and material aid (e.g., housing, utilities, food) for families facing crises to prevent child removal.
Mandate for states to adopt policies and training ensuring children are not separated from parents solely because of poverty, provided immediate services are accessible.
The new crisis benefits are defined as nonrecurring and intended to address immediate needs, not ongoing financial support.
Expired
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