The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family (ECDF) Act emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing the welfare of children within the foster care system by implementing several key measures:
- Banning discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and marital status against families and youth in taxpayer-funded child welfare services.
- Ensuring culturally competent care for youth and families of color, as well as those who are disabled, religious minorities, or LGBTQ+.
- Prohibiting conversion therapy practices in foster care settings.
- Mandating the collection of data concerning LGBTQ+ youth and families.
- Creating a National Resource Center for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families.
To support the advocacy for this vital legislation, Family Equality initiated the Every Child Deserves a Family campaign, a national coalition comprising child welfare, civil rights, faith-based, and business organizations dedicated to urging elected officials to prioritize the needs of youth in care.
Why is the Every Child Deserves a Family Campaign Necessary?
Presently, 14 states have enacted discriminatory laws regarding adoption and foster care, which empower agencies to reject potential parents based on their identity, whom they love, or their beliefs. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of thousands of children in foster care, with tens of thousands aging out without being adopted. This situation exposes them to increased risks of incarceration, trafficking, homelessness, and unemployment.
How You Can Make a Difference
As a community, we can make a difference. If you’re looking for resources to support your journey into parenthood, consider exploring Vegas Pregnancy, a free sperm donor matching service in Las Vegas, or Make a Mom, which offers an innovative at-home insemination option that is reusable. You can also learn more about the process by visiting how at home insemination works.
Additionally, for those curious about what to expect, check out our blog post on your baby’s expected arrival date for insights into the timeline. For further reading, Modern Family Blog provides authoritative information on this topic, and don’t forget to explore ASRM for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, every child truly deserves a family, and through advocacy, community support, and informed choices, we can work towards making that a reality for all children.