VFA Supports Chafee Program Improvements
Following up on last year’s reauthorization of Title IV-B programs, the House Ways and Means Committee is expected to update the Chafee Program for older youth transitioning to adulthood starting sometime this fall.
In preparation for this expected congressional action, Voice for Adoption policy committee and board have approved the following recommendations:
Support for Older Adoptive Youth: Youth adopted on or after their 16th birthday are eligible for Chafee services, but this group is very small and, of those few youth who are adopted after age 16, there is no data on how many actually know about or receive Chafee services. VFA recommends better informing older adoptive youth and caregivers about Chafee programs, extending Chafee eligibility to children adopted at or after age 13, and allowing continued eligibility until age 23.
Addressing Underutilization of Chafee Funds: Following the release of a GAO report earlier this year that documented substantial underutilization of federal Chafee funds by states, VFA recommends reviewing state Chafee spending to identify gaps in services and making information about Chafee programs more accessible to youth and caregivers through case planning requirements, online resources, and peer mentors.
Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Funds: To promote greater utilization of Chafee ETV funds, VFA recommends establishing a minimum ETV payment and increasing the maximum ETV payment to better reflect the current educational costs, extending ETV eligibility to six years, streamlining the ETV application process, and establishing a grace period for satisfactory academic progress to maintain eligibility.
Drivers Licenses: Because foster youth who obtain a driver’s license are 1.6 times more likely than their peers to attend school and nearly twice as likely to be employed, VFA recommends that Congress enact changes that would better inform youth about resources for obtaining drivers licenses and help fund drivers education, driver’s license fees, insurance, testing, and other costs associated with getting a driver’s license. VFA has also endorsed the Foster Youth and Driving Act, which is expected to be reintroduced soon by Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL).
Work Skills Development: VFA recommends increasing coordination between Chafee and workforce development programs, offering career coaching, and modifying youth performance timelines.
Mental Health: VFA recommends increasing funds directed toward mental health programs for older foster youth and improving access non-Medicaid mental healthcare options.
High School Education: VFA recommends setting aside some Chafee funds for high school educational supports such as tutoring, remediation, and educational coaching and advising.
VFA’s State Advisory Council is expected to approve similar recommendations later this month. We are working closely with House members to support legislation aligned with these priorities.
