Post by Logan on Mar 12, 2016 0:31:44 GMT -6
Bill to aid Virginia foster youth expected to be included in budget
A budget amendment is expected to be approved today {Thursday} that will provide financial support to young Virginians who leave the foster care system at age 18 without a permanent family.
Members of the House and Senate agreed to include $1.9 million in new funding for the Fostering Futures program, an federal initiative that 30 other states and Washington, D.C., have already joined. An additional $2.1 million that the state already spends on foster youth who age out will be diverted into Fostering Futures. If the amendment is approved, Virginia will be eligible for about $4 million in a matching federal grant.
The program would allow foster children who turn 18 after July 1 to continue receiving financial and case management support until they turn 21, as long as they’re enrolled in school or working. If they want to continue living with their foster families, the funding would funnel through their foster parents, or they can live on their own.
Advocates have tried to get the General Assembly to approve the legislation for several years.
Read more: www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/article_065e43f2-3288-5c25-b405-3130929d1317.html
A budget amendment is expected to be approved today {Thursday} that will provide financial support to young Virginians who leave the foster care system at age 18 without a permanent family.
Members of the House and Senate agreed to include $1.9 million in new funding for the Fostering Futures program, an federal initiative that 30 other states and Washington, D.C., have already joined. An additional $2.1 million that the state already spends on foster youth who age out will be diverted into Fostering Futures. If the amendment is approved, Virginia will be eligible for about $4 million in a matching federal grant.
The program would allow foster children who turn 18 after July 1 to continue receiving financial and case management support until they turn 21, as long as they’re enrolled in school or working. If they want to continue living with their foster families, the funding would funnel through their foster parents, or they can live on their own.
Advocates have tried to get the General Assembly to approve the legislation for several years.
Read more: www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/article_065e43f2-3288-5c25-b405-3130929d1317.html