What is the Adoption and Safe Families Act?

The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) is a federal law passed in 1997 that established a framework to help ensure the safety of children and to speed up the adoption process in the United States. The law was passed in response to the uptick in child abuse and neglect cases that had been increasing in the United States. The primary purpose of the law is to provide children in foster care with permanent homes as soon as possible. In Pennsylvania, the law outlines that state agencies are required to make reasonable efforts to keep children with their families when possible. However, if a child is found to be in an unsafe or neglectful environment, the child must be placed in a safe and permanent home as soon as possible. This includes providing services offered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) geared towards reunification, as well as providing services for the adoption process. Additionally, if a child has been in foster care for 15 out of the most recent 22 months, the DHS is mandated to identify a permanent home either through reunification with the parent, family member placement, or adoption. If none of these services are able to be provided, they must file a petition for termination of parental rights. The Adoption and Safe Families Act works to improve the safety, well-being, and stability of children in Pennsylvania, and provides guidance for state agencies on the processes behind reunifying, placing, and adopting children.

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What is the Adoption and Safe Families Act?

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