NJ Alliance for Children, Youth & Families

Services for youth aging out of the child welfare system...

THE JOHN H. CHAFEE PROGRAM
FOSTER CARE INDEPENDENCE ACT

The Foster Care Independence Act was originally signed into law 12/14/99 (PL 106-169).

The John H. Chafee Program was created in 1999 with passage the Foster Care Independence Act. This program provides services to both youth in foster care who are preparing to transition to adulthood and youth 18-21 who have already left foster care and need assistance.

The centerpiece of the legislation is the establishment of the John H. Chafee Independent Living Program. Senator Chafee, an outstanding champion for children and original sponsor of the bill, spearheaded the effort to win Congressional approval. The Senator passed away shortly after moving the bill forward. The Chafee Program replaces the Title IVE Independent Living Program.

Statutory language best summarizes the purpose of the Act:

1. To identify children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age and to help these children make the transition to self-sufficiency by providing services such as assistance in obtaining a high school diploma, career exploration, vocational training, job placement and retention, training in daily living skills, training in budgeting and financial management skills, substance abuse prevention, and preventive health activities (including smoking avoidance, nutrition education, and pregnancy prevention);
2. To help children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age receive the education, training, and services necessary to obtain employment;
3. To help children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age prepare for and enter post secondary training and education institutions;
4. To provide personal and emotional support to children aging out of foster care, through mentors and the promotion of interactions with dedicated adults; and
5. To provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education, and other appropriate support and services to former foster care recipients between 18 and 21 years of age to complement their own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and to assure that program participants recognize and accept their personal responsibility for preparing for and then making the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Under the Act:

- Title IVE entitlement for independent living activities is doubled to $140 million, with a 20% state match;

- Services, and room and board, can be made available to young people who left foster care because they turned 18;

- Young people with assets up to $10,000 are still eligible for IVE;

- States are able to expand Medicaid coverage for young people 18 – 21;

- Young people must be involved in the design of their plan to achieve self-sufficiency.

States will be required to submit a five-year plan to implement the Chafee Independent Program, addressing services to foster care youth at various stages and ages. The state plan should be developed with participation from representatives of public and private organizations, Indian tribes and young people served by independent living activities.

A list of the state coordinators for independent living can be found at http://www.NRCYS.ou.edu, then click on National Resource Center for Youth Development. Full text of the Foster Care Independence Act can be found at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/publaw/106publ.html. Scroll down to Pub.L. 106-169 (H.R. 3443). Frequently Asked Questions, a thorough written review of the Act prepared by the National Foster Care Awareness Project, can be viewed online at http://www.connectforkids.com.

Detailed Policy Description

(FAQ I) Frequently Asked Questions about the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(FAQ II) Frequently Asked Questions II about the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

(FAQ III) Frequently Asked Questions on the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program and the Chafee Educational and Training Voucher Program

John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (Foster Care Independence Act of 1999)

Reports

• New Jersey - Bridges To Independence, Garden State Coalition for Youth and Family Concerns
• Wisconsin - Independent Living for Children, Wisconsin DCFS

Chafee Links to Policy Updates

• American Psychological Association - policy information

Resources

• Ansell-Casey Lifebook
• Opportunity Passports for Youth in Transition from Foster Care
• Casey Life Skills Guidebook
• Transitions for Youth
• Its My Life
• 2006 New Jersey Chafee Plan
• 2007 New Jersey Chafee Plan