#hr7947

We are diving head first into learning as much as we can, as quickly as we can regarding HR 7947 (Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act) which is part of the appropriations act that was passed 12/27. This act has the ability to significantly impact our older youth in foster care. $400 million in additional Chafee funds and language that allows for foster care placement to extend beyond the age of 21. Another zoom meeting tonight for more info!!

Even before this particular act, based on the COVID relief money our state had received, our youth who have “aged out” and turned 21 during the pandemic have received $6,500 each towards needs. We’ve been able to pre-pay months of rent, helped youth pay off their car loans, pre-paid months of car insurance, etc. Money may not be able to buy happiness but it can buy stability and safety.

We’ve also had the opportunity during this time to partner with our local housing authority to initiate the process of providing our adult youth who are leaving foster care with Foster Youth Independence housing vouchers. Essentially Section 8 without being on the wait list for 10 years. This is an amazing opportunity for our youth transitioning to independence who might not have a stable job or who need to focus on their mental health right now instead of working. We already had 5 slots available to us under another initiative but became eligible for FYI this year. We are waiting on one signature and are set to start FYI on February 1st with 25!! additional housing voucher slots.

I don’t know how things shake out in other states, but in my state, foster youth or former foster youth are able to go to college for free. Community college, state college, expensive private schools...all of it. For free. It is an amazing opportunity for our youth who want to attend college. It’s a patchwork of funding but we’ve never come up short.