Bill to make children in foster care automatically eligible for state child‑care subsidy draws unanimous support

Chair Pinkney presented HB419 (Sen. Cruz as senate sponsor was not present) to make children in foster care automatically eligible for Delaware’s Purchase of Care child‑care subsidy program, removing application and verification barriers that can delay access to child care after placement.

The sponsor said Purchase of Care currently helps more than 12,000 Delaware children and that automatic eligibility would prevent gaps in care, reduce placement disruptions and ease financial strain on foster and kinship caregivers. House Amendment 1 would extend automatic eligibility to other forms of kinship care and to placements arranged under safety plans or emergency guardianships.

Meredith Sykes, chief of staff with the Children’s Department, said the bill codifies current practice and helps ensure continuity of child care; she told the committee that about 60% of children in foster care are ages 0–12. Kristen Olson, CEO of Children & Families First, testified virtually in strong support and described the measure as a simple, critical step that improves stability for children and helps caregivers remain in the workforce.

Committee members added their names as cosponsors and the bill proceeded with public comment and without recorded opposition in the hearing.