Bill to ease foster care transition amended, advanced

Certain state wards who have aged out of the foster care system could continue to receive services until age 21 under a bill given second-round approval May 21.

LB216, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill, would allow eligible youth to enter into a voluntary foster care agreement with the state Department of Health and Human Services for extended services, including:
• Medicaid;
• postsecondary education assistance;
• continued foster care maintenance payments;
• placement in a foster home, institution or independent living; and
• continued case management to help access additional supports.

Eligibility would be limited to former state wards age 19 to 21 and exclude those who entered the foster care system through the Office of Juvenile Services. Youth in foster care will receive information about the program at age 16.

To qualify for the program, an applicant would need to be:
• employed for at least 80 hours per month;
• enrolled in an institution that provides postsecondary or vocational education;
• completing a secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;
• participating in a program or activity designed to promote or remove barriers to employment; or
• incapable of doing any of the above activities due to a medical condition.

The bill also would create the Young Adult Voluntary Services and Support Advisory Committee. The Nebraska Children’s Commission will provide appointment to and oversight of the advisory committee.

McGill offered an amendment, adopted 26-0, which specifies that implementation of the program would not begin until the DHHS state plan amendment receives federal approval. McGill said the change would ensure that federal funds are available to support the program.

If the state plan amendment is denied by the federal government, the amendment would require DHHS to implement a state-only version of the program as a pilot project. The Legislature would appropriate $2 million to fund the pilot project in fiscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Following adoption of the McGill amendment, LB216 advanced to final reading by voice vote.