Congress, Trump Administration Turn Attention to Chafee Program
The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have made older youth transitioning from foster care a top child welfare priority for this fall. Anticipating this, VFA has already begun sharing our priorities with legislators and Alex Adams, the new head of the Administration for Children and Families.
On November 13, President Trump signed an executive order, Fostering the Future for American Children and Families, which included several policies that would affect older youth. The order:
Launches a “Fostering the Future” initiative, led by First Lady Melania Trump, to expand educational, employment, and mentorship opportunities for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood.
Outlines a strategy to reallocate underutilized federal funds to promote educational success, career advancement, financial literacy, and self-sufficiency for individuals transitioning out of foster care.
Increases flexibility in Education and Training Vouchers for short-term, career-focused programs and facilitates tax-credit scholarships for foster children.
Establishes an online “Fostering the Future” platform to connect youth to critical resources and build personalized plans to support their education, housing, career development, and pathway toward independence.
Directs HHS to update regulations and improve child-welfare data collection, transparency, and publication to strengthen positive outcomes for children and families.
Establishes an annual scorecard to evaluate state performance in reducing unnecessary foster care entries, shortening investigation times, reducing child injuries and placement disruptions, and accelerating permanent family care placements.
While these objectives command substantial bipartisan support, the executive order also includes other language that is concerning. This includes an increased emphasis on utilizing faith-based organizations in foster care, a perennial partisan issue that has divided Republicans and Democrats – mostly due to differences over religious hiring practices at these organizations -- since at least the George W. Bush administration. Other language would protect parental views that include “adherence to basic biological truths,” a reference to protections for transgender people, another issue that divides the two parties (and is a priority for VFA, which will continue to advocate to protect the rights of LGBT children and youth).
The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Work and Welfare has already held two hearings on older youth. VFA staff have met with the lead staff on these issues for all of the subcommittee members, including committee staff.
VFA Recommendations
Responding the federal interest in the issue, VFA’s policy committee and board of directors have approved several recommendations for improving programs serving older foster and adoptive youth, including the following:
Underutilization of Chafee Funds: Avoid underutilization of Chafee funds by states by making more information available to youth and care givers through updated case planning requirements, online resources, and peer mentors and by reviewing state Chafee spending to identify gaps in services.
Education and Training Vouchers (ETVs): Increase the use of Education Training Vouchers (ETVs) by creating a grace period for satisfactory academic progress requirements, streamlining the ETV application process, extending ETV eligibility to six years, establishing a minimum payment, and increasing the maximum payment under the program.
Extended Eligibility for Adopted Youth: Extend Chafee eligibility to children adopted at or after age 13 and extend eligibility past age 23. Regularly notify adoptive parents of Chafee-eligible youth of available services and resources
