Why It Matters

Foster Adopt Connect Inc., a Missouri- and Kansas-based foster care nonprofit, entered the federal lobbying arena for the first time this month. The organization engaged Penman Group LLC and lobbyist Kaycee Nail to lobby federal policymakers on family issues, adoption, welfare and budget matters. The registration did not identify specific legislation Foster Adopt Connect aims to influence.

By the Numbers

Foster Adopt Connect Inc.'s new client registration with Penman Group LLC, filed September 3, covers Family Issues/Abortion/Adoption, Welfare and Budget/Appropriations issue areas. Kaycee Nail, listed as Director, Government and Public Affairs at Penman Group LLC, serves as the registered lobbyist.

Federal lobbying records identify Foster Adopt Connect as a client of Penman Group. The House lobbying database lists the organization under Penman Group's federal registration.

Broader Context

Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, which provides 56 percent of federal child welfare funding, supports federal foster care, adoption assistance and related child welfare programs.

The Administration for Children and Families, which administers Title IV-E foster care and adoption assistance, has experienced workforce reductions through DOGE-related cuts. More than $5 billion in federal funding was placed at risk by an Office of Management and Budget directive, including funding for child care, social services for low-income families and direct cash assistance. Research cited in congressional communications shows that up to 46 percent of youth exiting foster care experience homelessness by age 26.

Between The Lines

Congress has considered several bipartisan proposals affecting foster youth and adoption. Reps. Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Mike Carey (R-OH) introduced the CONNECT Act to update the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood by emphasizing meaningful relationships with adults and other support networks for foster youth.

The CONNECT Act was incorporated into H.R. 7432, the Fostering the Future Act, which combined six bipartisan foster-care measures and passed the House on May 19. The legislation also included the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act, which seeks to improve housing access for youth aging out of foster care by strengthening coordination between the Chafee program and federal housing assistance.

Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) is also involved in several adoption and foster-care proposals. He is co-leading the bipartisan ADOPT Act, which would target unlicensed adoption intermediaries, and introduced the Hospital Adoption Education Act, which would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to develop training and resources for health care professionals discussing adoption with expectant mothers. Husted has also introduced a Senate version of the CONNECT Act.

The Bottom Line

Foster Adopt Connect's first federal lobbying registration comes as Congress considers bipartisan legislation affecting foster care, adoption and support for youth aging out of the foster care system. The filing signals the nonprofit is seeking a direct role in federal policy discussions, although it does not identify specific legislation the organization plans to influence.

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