Program Overview

Many youth in our foster care system are not acquiring the skills needed for self-sufficiency in adulthood. Some young people who leave the foster care system may need continuing services to help them live on their own. Young people who are not adopted or reunited with their families by the time they reach age 18 may not have the housing or educational opportunities they need to get a start in life.

Through the Foster Care Independence Act, Alaska has experienced a significant increase in funding directed towards youth in foster care in order to help these young people transition from foster care to self-sufficiency. This funding will provide Alaska an opportunity to strengthen an identified weakness in its continuum of services to families and youth involved in the foster care system.

Foster Care Independence Act

Why is this program important?

The Foster Care Independence Act

The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (H.R. 3443), passed by Congress during the last days of the 1999 session, offers important new help to young people transitioning from foster care. The Act can be an important catalyst in states and communities for broader reforms on behalf of the young people. President Clinton signed the Act into law (P.L. 106-169) on December 14, 1999. Title I of the Act, which contains the most relevant provisions for young people transitioning from foster care:

• Establishes the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (referred to hereafter as the Chafee Independence Program). The program was named in honor of the late Senator John H. Chafee of Rhode Island, one of the original Senate sponsors of the Act and a long time champion for children who have been abused and neglected
• Allows states to provide Medicaid coverage to young people between the ages of 18 and 21 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday
• Increases from $1,000 to $10,000 the assets that a young person in foster care can have and still maintain his or her eligibility for Title IV-E-funded foster care
• Requires states to ensure that foster parents are adequately prepared, both initially and on a continuing basis, to care for the children placed with them
• Authorizes additional funding for adoption incentive payments to the states to assist in finding permanent homes for children in foster care
• The Chafee Independence Program, established in section 477 of the Social Security Act, replaces the former Independent Living Initiative. The former Title IV-E Independent Living Initiative (established in 1986) governed implementation of most federally-supported independent living services from 1987 until December 14, 1999, when the Foster Care Independence Act became law.

• Increases funding for independent living activities
• Offers increased assistance, including room and board, for young people ages 18 to 21 who are leaving foster care
• Emphasizes the importance of securing permanent families for young people in foster care
• Expands the opportunity for states to offer Medicaid to young people transitioning from care
• Increases state accountability for outcomes for young people transitioning from foster care

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Why is this project important?

Youth placed in foster care often have difficulty transitioning to adulthood. Many of these youth have lacked a stable, safe, and nurturing environment that enables young people to grow into healthy adults. When young people reach age 18 in foster care they are no longer in the state's custody. These young people often are faced with living on their own without family or financial support. A recent report from the Casey Family Program shows that youth transitioning from foster care have:

• a higher rate of arrest and incarceration;
• an increased likelihood of early parenting and instability in relationships, including divorce;
• lower high school graduation rates and generally lower school performance;
• an increased likelihood of health and mental health problems, including emotional and behavioral problems;
• a greater likelihood to experience homelessness;
• a higher rate of substance abuse;
• a higher rate of unemployment.

Of the approximately 2500 children in the Alaska Office of Children's Services custody and placed in out of home care, approximately 18%, or 450 youth, are age 14 and above. From available data, we expect 100 youth to enter this group every year. Of the youth in OCS custody, placed in out of home care approximately 9% or 225 are age 16 and above. Based on current data, it is projected that 100 youth will enter this population every year. Approximately 40 youth age out of foster care in Alaska each year. Independent living skills and resources are necessary for these young adults to survive as they reach the age of majority and lose the safety net of services available to children.

By definition, these youth are from homes with significant dysfunction. Frequently, they have witnessed domestic violence, substance abuse, and criminal activity. It is our responsibility to provide these youth in custody the educational and vocational opportunities necessary for them to choose a different lifestyle.

The successful development and implementation of independent living services will improve the stability of these youth as they age out of foster care. This increased stability will also be supported through increased aftercare services for youth who age out. It is expected that these service improvements will reduce the number of youth who fall into a pattern of homelessness and instability; repeat the cycle of abuse and neglect they experienced; and/or develop criminal habits.

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