What is the primary concern of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA)?

The primary concern of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) is to prioritize children's health and safety above all else. This legislation was enacted to ensure that the well-being of children is the foremost consideration in child welfare cases. By establishing safety as the paramount concern, ASFA aims to create a framework where decisions regarding children in the foster care system or those facing abuse or neglect are made primarily through the lens of ensuring their physical and emotional safety.

This focus on health and safety encourages agencies and professionals to take proactive measures to protect children, identifying and addressing any risks they may face in their current family environments. While other aspects, such as family reunification and maintaining contact with biological parents, are important, the act emphasizes that these goals should not supersede the immediate need to protect children from harm. This aligns with the law's intention to expedite the process of finding permanent homes for children, ensuring that they are in safe, secure, and nurturing environments as quickly as possible.