Grassley, Senators Press HHS to Include Older Foster Youth in Implementation of Family First

Statement

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, along with Sens. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Michael Bennet of Colorado and Todd Young of Indiana, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar asking him to ensure that the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) will help older youth avoid foster care entry or re-entry, and successfully transition out of care.

"…approximately 23,000 youth "age out" of foster care each year and continue to face a variety of challenges in their transition into adulthood. By the time former foster youth reach the age of 23, 52 percent are unemployed; 94 percent have not completed post-secondary studies, 81.2 percent of males and 57.2 percent of females have been arrested; 37 percent have experienced homelessness; and 77 percent of females have been pregnant," the senators wrote.

"To maximize the opportunities and potential for this promising population of young people, we urge HHS to develop broad and inclusive state guidance to ensure that older youth at risk of entering, in, and transitioning out of foster care are able to access the full range of prevention service and program supports that FFPSA authorizes."

The Family First Prevention Services Act was signed into law on February 9, 2018 as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act. The law reforms the federal child welfare financing streams, Title IV-E and Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, to provide services to families who are at risk of entering the child welfare system.

The Family First Prevention Services Act also aims to prevent children from entering foster care by allowing federal reimbursement for mental health services, substance use treatment and in-home parenting skill training, and seeks to improve the well-being of children already in foster by incentivizing states to reduce placement of children in congregate care.