WASHINGTON, DC, May 31, 2012 — Thanks to long-time champion of children, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La), the world’s most vulnerable children, including orphans, may have some assistance from the United States.
Landrieu, who is co-Chair of both the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth has secured provisions in the fiscal year 2013 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill for children.
These provisions include up to $4.5 million for the Families First Initiative, which has an especially big impact on orphaned children. It helps fund the study of and implementation of family-based alternatives for children without parents and will identify a series of interventions that result in family reunification and permanent parental care for orphans.
Additionally, the proposed provisions will allot $23 million in funding targeted at children through global health programs.
This legislation has been approved by the Senate Committee on Appropriations. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
“Children make up about 30 percent of the world’s population, but they make up 100 percent of our future,” Landrieu said. “Many children around the world are living on the streets or in institutions instead of in family care, and many suffer from abuse or exploitation. It is critical that U.S. investments abroad successfully provide vulnerable children with opportunities to reach their full potential for a brighter and more secure future.”
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