Advocates for Families Act of 2025

This bill amends the Social Security Act to mandate that states facilitate access to family advocates for parents, foster parents, and legal guardians involved in child welfare cases. As a condition for receiving federal child welfare services funding, states must ensure that their laws and procedures permit these individuals to seek and receive the services of a family advocate . These advocates would have the authority to represent the interests and act on behalf of the parent, foster parent, or legal guardian throughout any child welfare interaction. The legislation requires states to implement appropriate standards and rules governing the professional conduct of these family advocates. Furthermore, states must inform parents, foster parents, or legal guardians, from the commencement of any child welfare case, of their right to be represented by a family advocate and of any local resources available to obtain such representation. States are also required to inform the Secretary of the effect of honoring this right on child welfare services and provide recommendations for ensuring its effective exercise. Finally, the bill mandates that the Secretary submit biennial reports to Congress on the right of parents, foster parents, or legal guardians to be represented by a family advocate, based on state submissions.