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Senator Kerry’s bill Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act of 2011 , which would establish research-based programming to improve the life chances of youth aging out of care with specific provisions to focus on improving relationships to keep LGBT youth in a safe and stable environment, was introduced and referred to Senate Committee of Finance over the last month.
According to Senator Kerry’s press release, the provisions of the Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act includes:
- allows children nationwide to remain in foster care until at least their 21st birthday;
- extends the timeframe foster youth have to utilize the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, improving access to education, training, and independent living services; and increases funding authorization for the program;
- makes significant improvements to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, such as enhancing efforts to connect families with education, training and housing resources. It also increases the time frame for young parents to qualify for TANF benefits if they are in an education or training program;
- provides support for states to work together to decrease barriers that prohibit cooperation across state lines for placing foster children in loving homes outside their state of residence;
- provides support for programs that improve family relationships and reduce homelessness among youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender;
- ensures that children in foster care receive Social Security benefits they qualify for due to the death of a parent or a disability.
The Epoch Times (Noorbaloochi, 5/15/2011) wrote about the legislation this last month:
“Sen. Kerry introduced a new bill that would help reduce youth homelessness in the United States, last Thursday.
The bill, called the Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act allows youth to stay in foster care until they are 21, among other measures. Currently, some 30,000 youth age 16 or older “age out” at 18 or gain “legal emancipation” from foster care programs. Of these, one in four goes on to experience homelessness within four years of exiting foster care…”
Read the full article here.
Related posts:
- Carol Liu Presents State Bill to Implement First-of-its-Kind Strategy to End Youth Homelessness in California
- Beall’s bill AB 194 for priority college enrollment to current, former foster youth passes Assembly
- Opinion piece in San Jose Mercury News links homelessness with need to support youth transitioning out of foster care
- After 18 campaign to spread word about extended foster care now available to youth
- Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) ammends No Child Left Behind to accommodate needs of students in foster care
