Continued State Flexibility to Assist Older Foster Youth
Floor Speech
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Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5661, the Continued State Flexibility To Assist Older Foster Youth Act.
We have heard directly from foster youth that aging out of the system comes with unique challenges, and that they are often left without supportive services or families to help them if they fall on hard times. This has been especially difficult throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as older and former foster youth have experienced homeless, been laid off from work, endured food insecurity, and navigated negative impacts on their mental health.
But States like California have devised ways to help, like letting foster youth who turn 21 continue receiving support and assistance through the child welfare agency. Additionally, at the end of last year, Congress provided States with additional funds in the year-end omnibus specifically to help this population, many of whom were not eligible for Federal stimulus payments. And in California, we are working to get this funding directly to impacted youth via direct cash payments. Unfortunately, the pandemic has made it harder to get these funds directly into the hands of the young people who need them, causing needless delays and hardship.
That is why I am happy to support H.R. 5661 to extend support to our young adults and ensure that they have all of the tools they need to make it through this unprecedented time. By extending the programmatic flexibilities in the Chafee program, which helps current and former foster youth prepare for independent adult living, we are keeping young people safe and housed and also ensuring access to supportive services for those youth affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
I have had the privilege to meet with foster youth from across the country throughout the years, and I have been impressed with their resilience and ability to advocate for themselves. But they don't have to do it alone. I am proud to support this bill to help foster youth shape a better future for themselves and our whole country.
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