Rep. Chu Introduces the Access to Foster Care to 21 Act
Washington, D.C. — Today, Representative Judy Chu (CA-27) introduced the Access to Foster Care to 21 Act, which would extend nationally the age of which a youth is eligible to remain in foster care to 21. This bill would provide financial assistance to states by de-linking youth ages 18-21 from the antiquated Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) requirements, ensuring states receive federal IV-E reimbursement. Additionally, it would also ensure youth who voluntarily leave care at 18 have the right to re-enter care should they need to. Approximately 20,000 young people age out of care each year, often without a supportive adult presence in their life. By extending the age to 21, child welfare agencies will have more time to pursue permanent efforts to prevent having a young person age out of the system alone and unsupported. Representative Chu, who serves on the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over child welfare programs, released the following statement:
"California was among the first states in the nation to provide foster care benefits to young adults through age 21 after Congress passed the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act in 2008, which gave states the option to do so. Now, we have research showing that extending support into the first few years of adulthood can make a clear, positive difference in the lives of youth in care. Despite the data signaling the positive difference this can make in the lives of foster youth, many states still have opted to not extend this support — making some youth ineligible for supportive services beginning on their 18th birthday," said Representative Chu. "We have given states the ability for 14 years to do what is best for our young adults in foster care — now, it is time to extend this option to the youth themselves. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over the child welfare system and family support programs, I believe it is our responsibility to follow the research and ensure all our foster youth have the same opportunities regardless of where they live. The Access to Foster Care to 21 Act will allow these young adults to have agency over their care decisions and feel comfortable exploring their freedom without permanently giving up supportive services."
The introduction of the Access to Foster Care to 21 Act comes on the heels of the Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day on Capitol Hill, where Representative Chu spent a day alongside a former foster youth from California who now works to advocate for other children going through the system.