WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), and Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) introduced the Caregivers, Access, and Responsible Expansion for Kids Act of 2025 (CARE for Kids Act), a bipartisan bill aimed at providing crucial support for the millions of children nationwide being raised by grandparents and other relatives. This legislation seeks to expand eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals, easing the financial strain on these vital caregivers.
Over 2.4 million children across the U.S. are currently in the care of grandparents or other relatives, a number that continues to rise due to various factors, including the ongoing opioid epidemic. While the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs offer significant financial relief, current eligibility rules often exclude children in these alternative care arrangements, even when their caregivers have modest incomes.
“I personally understand the challenges family members face when taking on the responsibility of raising a child," said Congresswoman Hayes. "Ensuring all students in need can access school-based meals, regardless of their guardian or family dynamics, is fundamental to ending child hunger. The CARE for Kids Act will close these critical assistance gaps, feed children, and make things just a little easier for their dedicated caregivers.”
“Not only is a safe, loving home important for children, so is a well-balanced nutritional meal,” said Representative Bacon. “As co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I know that the CARE for Kids Act will ensure these children have access to a healthy lifestyle and their families will receive the support they need. I appreciate working with Congresswoman Hayes on this effort."
“No child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross. “Right now, outdated policies are preventing too many students from getting the meals they need at school just because they live with a grandparent or another caregiver. That’s why I’m supporting the CARE for Kids Act, a bipartisan effort to close these harmful eligibility gaps and make sure no student goes hungry."
The CARE for Kids Act has been endorsed by the National Education Association (NEA), Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), and the Connecticut Alliance of Foster & Adoptive Families.
“The National School Lunch Act is essential for children with child welfare involvement. More and more children, when they cannot live safely with their parents, are being raised by grandparents and other relatives. Having eligibility for the program already determined will assist these grandparents and relatives enormously, making it easier to ensure these children are getting a healthy and nutritious breakfast and lunch. It is well known that hungry children struggle in school. Congresswoman Hayes has seen this firsthand while she was teaching. We thank Congresswoman Hayes for helping these children with this basic need of nutritious food,” said Margaret M. Doherty, Executive Director, Connecticut Alliance of Foster & Adoptive Families.
Key Provisions of the CARE for Kids Act:
The CARE for Kids Act provides local education agencies (LEAs), including Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools, with the option to provide automatic eligibility and certification for children in several key categories:
Children Cared for by a Relative Who Receives Adoption or Guardianship Assistance: Currently, children in stable, long-term caregiving arrangements, such as those in permanent guardianship or adopted out of foster care, are not automatically eligible for free meals, unlike children still in foster care. This bill would provide automatic eligibility, easing the financial burden on their caregivers.
Children Cared for by Grandparents or Other Relatives Due to Placement by a State or Tribal Child Welfare Agency: Child welfare agencies often place children with relatives to prevent them from entering foster care or to help them leave it. This provision ensures that these children can still access free meals without ongoing welfare agency involvement.
Children Living in "Grandfamily" Housing or Receiving Housing Assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA): Children with unstable living conditions are often eligible for free meals through school district liaisons. This act extends categorical eligibility to children living in housing developments specifically for low-income families with a grandparent or older relative caregiver, or in developments receiving NAHASDA assistance.
Children Automatically Eligible for Free Meals through Medicaid Participation, but Unable to Be Certified: Some children, such as those formerly in foster care or with disabilities, are automatically eligible for Medicaid but lack the income verification needed for LEAs to directly certify them for free meals. The CARE for Kids Act rectifies this, ensuring all children categorically eligible through Medicaid participation have access to free meals.
Extends Eligibility for Children Already Receiving Reduced or Free Meals Placed under the Care of a Grandparent or Other Relative: Recognizing the challenging transition period for both children and caregivers, the bill allows for an additional year of eligibility for children who were already receiving reduced or free meals before being placed with a grandparent or other relative, ensuring continuous access to nutritious meals during this critical time.
A one-pager on the CARE for Kids Act can be found here, and the full bill text can be found here.
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