MIAMI (AP) — Federal child welfare officials say they are expanding a pilot program that provides housing and case workers to homeless families most at risk for having a child enter foster care.
The five-year, $35 million expansion to several areas across the country provides permanent housing for a few hundred families who have been homeless for at least a year, and had at least one case of child abuse or neglect.
Homeless families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population and account for more than one-third of overall homelessness.
The focus on deep-rooted issues related to poverty comes as child welfare officials are pushing to keep kids safely in the home and provide services whenever possible instead of rushing to place them in foster care.
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