January 28, 2002

Bush signs bill aiding adoption
___WASHINGTON (RNS)--President Bush signed into law Jan. 17 legislation aiming to build stronger families by encouraging adoption, helping children leaving foster care and providing mentors for kids with imprisoned parents.
___His action expands the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program by providing additional resources to states to help promote adoption and strengthen parental relationships. It also will help states provide benefits to young adults who are "aging out" of foster care.
___"The Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program has a great goal, keeping families together whenever possible," the president said before signing the legislation. "It helps to prevent the removal of children from their homes. And if that must happen to protect a child's safety, it supports efforts to correct the problem that broke the family apart and reunite the family safely and quickly."
___Bush said his budget for next year will propose $505 million in funding for the program, an increase of $130 million from this year.
___The president also voiced his pleasure that the law enacts a portion of his "Armies of Compassion" agenda by helping children who see their imprisoned parents infrequently.
___"Government cannot love a child, but it can support those who do--parents and family members and neighbors and caring adults who have heard the call," Bush said.

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