Who are ‘Older Youth’?

‘Older youth’, sometimes referred to as ‘transition age youth,’ are people between the ages of 16-25 years old. In the context of the Family First Act, ‘older youth’ refers to youth between the ages of 16-25 years old who are also in, or have experienced, foster care.

History of Policies Relating to Older Youth

Important note: There are many policies that impact older youth, such as laws relating to Medicaid, Title IV-B, Title IV-E, and any other laws that relate to youth in foster care. However, the policies listed here are policies that involve language related specifically to providing services and supports to older youth in or transitioning from foster care.

1985: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act1

  • Authorize funds to states for services, activities, and programs that assist youth (16 years and older) in transitioning from foster care to independent living
  • This section of the Act was often referred to as the “Independent Living Initiative”
  • States were allowed to determine both the nature and scope of their Independent Living Programs (ILPs)
  • The federal government provided recommendations that included: GED support, vocational training, daily living skills, job readiness, and assistance obtaining higher education
  • Funding for ILPs was determined annually until 1993, when the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 permanently reauthorized ILP funding

1999: Foster Care Independence Act

  • Established the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (Chafee)
    • Activities and programs under Chafee include: Help with paying for education, employment training, financial management, housing, emotional support and assured connections to caring adults
  • Replaces the former Independent Living Initiative2

2008: Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act

  • Extends Title IV-E foster care eligibility to age 21
  • This allows older youth to continue receiving supports through foster care until age 21

Summary: The first law that focused on providing services to older youth was in 1985, and involved the creation of the Independent Living Initiative. In 1999, the Independent Living Initiative was replaced and expanded upon through the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (Chafee). Nine years later, in 2008, the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act extended foster care eligibility to age 21, allowing older youth longer access to important services as they transitioned into adulthood.

Sources:

1 History of ILP Program

2Frequently Asked Questions about the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program