Paris Hilton advocates for child welfare reform on Capitol Hill
- Paris Hilton testified on Capitol Hill about her traumatic experience in a youth rehabilitation facility.
- She called for significant reforms in child welfare to protect America's children.
- Hilton's testimony emphasized the need for sweeping changes to prevent abuse in such facilities.
In a compelling testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee, Paris Hilton shared her harrowing experience of being forcibly taken to multiple residential facilities at the age of 16, highlighting the need for reform in the foster care system. Hilton emphasized the importance of reauthorizing and modernizing Title IV-B, a program that supports family reunification and permanency for children in foster care. She drew attention to the tragic case of 16-year-old Cornelius Fredericks, underscoring the preventable nature of such situations. Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith echoed Hilton's concerns, advocating for reforms to keep children with their families whenever possible. Smith emphasized the need to shift focus towards preventing child abuse and neglect, rather than resorting to foster care placements. He stressed the significance of placing children in 'kinship care' with family members instead of strangers or facilities, aiming to reduce the time children spend away from their families. The committee's priorities for reforming the Title IV-B system include enhancing court involvement, expediting case adjudication, and improving oversight of youth residential treatment facilities. Addressing the 'caseworker crisis,' characterized by a high turnover rate in the child welfare workforce, is also a key focus. Smith urged the committee members to collaborate in finding solutions to these pressing issues, emphasizing the importance of providing adequate oversight and visibility to the problem at hand. Paris Hilton's testimony shed light on the urgent need for comprehensive reform in the foster care system, resonating with lawmakers and advocates alike. The hearing served as a platform to address systemic challenges and push for meaningful changes that prioritize the well-being and stability of children in vulnerable situations. As discussions continue on modernizing Title IV-B and improving child welfare practices, the committee faces the crucial task of devising effective strategies to safeguard the rights and futures of those in foster care.