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Madison Today
By the People, for the People
Kids to Love CEO urges Congress to reform foster care and adoption system
Lee Marshall testified on the urgent need to address challenges facing vulnerable children in America.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:05pm
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Lee Marshall, the Founder and CEO of the non-profit organization Kids to Love, spoke before Congress last week to advocate for meaningful reform in the foster care and adoption system. Drawing on over two decades of frontline experience, Marshall highlighted critical issues such as placement shortages, overburdened caseworkers, and systemic barriers that delay or prevent permanency for children in care. She urged Congress to increase accountability, strengthen collaboration, and explore solutions that emphasize faster paths to permanency, support for foster families, and workforce development opportunities.
Why it matters
The foster care and adoption system in the United States faces significant challenges that leave many vulnerable children without stable, permanent homes. Marshall's testimony shed light on the urgent realities facing these children, including the risk of abuse, neglect, and lack of access to essential services. Reforming the system is crucial to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.
The details
During the House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Marshall delivered a candid assessment of the foster care and adoption system's current challenges. She highlighted the strain on frontline workers, including caseworkers and child welfare staff, who are often overburdened with large caseloads, leaving some children at risk. Marshall also pointed to systemic barriers that delay or prevent permanency, such as placement shortages and children being housed in inappropriate facilities like juvenile detention centers.
- Lee Marshall testified before Congress on Thursday, March 28, 2026.
The players
Lee Marshall
The Founder and CEO of the non-profit organization Kids to Love, which meets the needs of foster children and works to find them adoptive homes.
Kids to Love Foundation
A non-profit organization that works to support foster children and help them find permanent, stable homes.
What they’re saying
“Those who serve on the front lines are overtaxed. Caseloads are too big. It's just not manageable. And then, as a result, what's happening that we're seeing in the state of Alabama, our children are dying in the child welfare system. Children are sleeping in county offices. Children are being housed in juvenile detention facilities, not because they've committed a crime, but because that's the only bed available.”
— Lee Marshall, Founder and CEO, Kids to Love
What’s next
Congress is expected to review Marshall's testimony and consider legislative actions to address the challenges facing the foster care and adoption system, including potential increases in federal funding and the creation of a national task force to evaluate and strengthen these systems nationwide.
The takeaway
Lee Marshall's testimony highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive reform in the foster care and adoption system to ensure vulnerable children have access to stable, permanent homes and the support they need to thrive. Her call for greater accountability, collaboration, and innovative solutions reflects a deep commitment to improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
