Sox stars make a pitch to help foster children

By Mike Thomas  |  Chicago Sun-Times
July 30, 2008

A couple of White Sox stars are going to bat for foster kids.

Jim Thome and Paul Konerko, who for two years have supported foster children and families through their "Bring Me Home Campaign," are now pushing for an important program to be reauthorized by Congress -- ideally before legislators recess Aug. 1.

An improved version of the nearly decade-old Adoption Incentives Program -- which is set to expire Sept. 30 and has assisted hundreds of thousands since its inception in 1998 -- successfully passed out of the House and is now in the Senate for review.

"I think the concern is it could get lost in the shuffle just because of the limited amount of time that's left in the legislative calendar," said Rebecca Brundage, vice president of policy and planning for Children's Home + Aid, with which Thome and Konerko have partnered.

The Adoption Incentives Program provides for more federal funding to states that increase foster adoptions. Additionally, it would extend the foster care age to 21.