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1 1 (January 15, 2019)

handle is hein.crs/govycy0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Cogesoa Resarc Servic S January 15, 2019 John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood Background Children enter foster care after experiencing abuse or neglect, or due to some other circumstance that prevents them from safely remaining with their families. In FY2017, about 189,000 teens and young adults spent at least one day in foster care. Of those who left care during that year, more than 19,000 aged out or were emancipated. Generally this means these youth reached a state's legal age of adulthood-usually 18, or up to 21 in states that extend foster care-without having been reunited with their families or placed in new permanent families. The John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee program) provides funds to states, territories, and Indian tribal entities (states) with material and other supports for current and former foster youth. The Chafee program is authorized under Title IV-E, Section 477 of the Social Security Act (SSA). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) administers the Chafee program. Formerly known as the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, it was established by the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (P.L. 106-169), and succeeded a similar program that was established in 1985. The Chafee statute has been amended five times, notably in the early 2000s to include the Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program and in 2018 (Title VII, Division E of P.L. 115-123) to focus supports more clearly on youth who spend time in foster care at age 14 or older without regard to whether they ultimately age out of care. Supports States may use Chafee funding to provide supports listed in the authorizing law. These may consist of educational assistance, career exploration, mentoring, and preventive health activities, among other services. States can dedicate as much as 30% of their program funding toward room or board for youth ages 18 to 21 (and up to age 23 in states that have extended foster care to age 21 using federal, state, or other funds, as determined by the HHS Secretary). This includes room or board for youth who attend institutions of higher education. Room or board is not defined in statute but typically includes food and shelter, and may include deposits, startup costs, rent, and utilities. Education and Training Voucher Program The Chafee statute includes a separate authorization and funding authority for the ETV program. States may use ETV funding to provide a voucher-worth up to $5,000 each year or the cost of attendance (whichever is less)-for a Chafee-eligible youth to attend an institution of higher education, as these terms are defined by the Higher Education Act (HEA). HEA defines cost of attendance as the costs for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and an allowance for transportation and child care, among other expenses. HEA defines institution of higher education to include traditional higher education institutions (e.g., public or private nonprofit colleges and universities) as well as other postsecondary institutions (e.g., technical training programs and postsecondary vocational schools). Further, the Chafee statute directs state child welfare agencies to take steps to prevent duplicating benefits under the ETV program and other federal programs. Youth are eligible to receive ETVs for as many as five years (up to age 26) so long as they are making satisfactory progress toward completion of their education program and regardless of whether they attend in consecutive years. Youth may attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. Between 16,514 and 17,100 youth have received a voucher in each year from 2011 to 2014. Eligibility The Chafee statute's purpose areas outline eligibility for the program. HHS has also provided additional guidance on eligibility. (See Table 1.) Generally, the program is available to current and former foster youth between the ages of 14 and 21, or up to age 23 in states that extend foster care to age 21. The law also specifies that supports under the program are to be made available to Indian children on the same basis as other children. As noted, Chafee-eligible youth may receive ETVs until age 26. Table I. Eligibility for the Chafee Program Eligibility Categories * Children and youth in foster care between ages 14-21. * Youth who aged out of foster care and are between 18-21 (or up to 23 in states that extend foster care to 21). * Children and youth who left foster care at 16 or older for kinship guardianship or adoption, until they reach 21 (or up to 23 in states that extend foster care to 21). * Children and youth who had been in foster care between 14-21 and left foster care for some other reason besides aging out of foster care, kinship guardianship, or adoption. * Children likely to remain in care until 18, pertaining to the Chafee purpose area of providing regular, ongoing opportunities to engage in age or developmentally- appropriate activities. Source: Section 477(a) of the Social Security Act and HHS guidance. https://crsreports.congressg

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