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The Foster Care Independence Act (Pub. L. 106–169 (text) (PDF), 113 Stat. 1882, enacted December 14, 1999) was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on December 14, 1999.[1][2]
Overview of the Foster Care Independence Act
General
The purpose of the Foster Care Independence Act is to provide States with flexible funding that will enable children likely to remain in foster care until age 18 to be identified. After identification, the program will aim to help these children transition out of foster care in way the encourages self-sufficiency. Programs to aid youth is the transition include:
- Assistance obtaining a high school diploma
- Career exploration
- Vocational training
- Job placement and retention
- Budgeting and financial management skills
- Training in activities of daily living
- Substance abuse prevention
- Preventative health; such as smoking cessation, nutrition, and pregnancy prevention
History
The Act supports provision of health insurance to former foster children, up to the age of 21, by way of states using Medicaid funds.[1] It permits such youths to have assets up to $10,000 without compromising their assistance.[1] It expands funds for these 18-to-21-year-olds to benefit from Independent living programs from $70 million to $140 million,[1][3] and broadens what these monies can be applied to.[1]
First Lady of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton was instrumental in passage of the bill, first holding on youth conference on the issues involved and then lobbying Congress in support of legislation.[3] It followed in the wake of her support for the earlier Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, which made it easier to adopt foster children;[4] the Foster Care Independence Act was intended to ease the transition into adulthood of foster children who did not get adopted.[4]
Major Provisions
Implementation
References
- ^ a b c d e "The Foster Care Independence Act". American Psychological Association. December 1999. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ "President Clinton Signs H.R. 3443, The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999". Social Security Administration. 1999-12-17. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ a b Somini Sengupta (2000-10-29). "Campaigns Soft-Pedal On Children and the Poor". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "First Lady Biography: Hillary Clinton". National First Ladies' Library. Retrieved 2006-08-22.
External links
- Pub. L. 106–169 (text) (PDF), Foster Care Independence Act at Library of Congress
- Foster Care Independence Act at APA
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