Bill would allow foster youth to continue services until 21

State wards who have aged out of the foster care system voluntarily could continue to receive services until age 21 under a bill heard Jan. 31 by the Health and Human Services Committee.

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 (DHHS) 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.

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.

McGill said the federal law allows states to extend foster care services to age 21 and research shows that youth who continue to receive services have improved chances of success when they transition from foster care.

McGill said the Former Ward Program, DHHS’s existing support program for youth leaving foster care, is not codified in state law. Furthermore, she said, many state wards are unaware that the program exists or do not fit its narrow eligibility requirements.

Amy West of Nebraska Appleseed testified in support of the bill, saying former wards often have experienced years of trauma and require assistance in the transition to adulthood. Providing a safety net for them would lower their future rates of homelessness, incarceration and other negative outcomes, she said.

“This is a good investment in the future of our children and our state,” she said.

Amanda Huxoll, a former state ward, also testified in support of the bill, saying many young people aging out of foster care lack the support necessary to succeed. Huxoll said she struggled while attempting to juggle community college and work, and could not make ends meet.

“I had two options: quit school or sleep in my car,” she said. “And many young adults have a far worse time than I did.”

Thomas Pristow, director of DHHS Children and Family Services, testified in opposition to the bill. He said DHHS is committed to supporting youth aging out of the foster care system, but that the division cannot afford to fund the program outlined in LB216.

Pristow said the bill would cost an estimated $11.5 million in fiscal year 2013-14. He said the bill’s supporters were relying on estimates from a cost analysis that underestimates the number of youth who would utilize the program.

“I have to balance my budget,” he said.

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.