Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act

This bill changes federal foster care law so that states may choose to count youth ages 18 through 21 who are in state foster care as eligible for federal foster care support. It also covers youth up to an age chosen by the state (19, 20, 21, or 22) whose adoption or kinship guardianship assistance agreements began after they turned 16. States that take this option must let eligible youth who are 18 or older voluntarily re-enter foster care and must help them return. The bill removes the requirement tied to parents' old AFDC welfare eligibility for these youth. It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to give states guidance on outreach and on connecting youth to federal job training programs.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Judy Chu Democrat sponsor
• 1 cosponsors