Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation last month allowing foster and youthless youth to be able to get official documents that prove who they without the approval of a parent or guardian. Youth ages 16 and 17 are able to apply for a state-issued identification card as well as a certified copy of their birth certificate. This will allow the youth to have easier access to housing, renting an apartment. Another bill has been signed into law that requires DCS to get a foster youth ID card within 90 days of entering the child welfare system.
Maine Senate has voted to create a separate state agency responsible for child welfare in response to high-profile abuse deaths and ongoing concerns. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has undertaken numerous reforms but these have yielded too little progress. Sen. Diamond’s bill L.D. 1263 would create a Department of Child and Family Services to oversee Head Start and child care services, maternal and child health, enforcement or child support, and residential care for children with disabilities.
Minnesota Legislature is considering the Fostering Higher Education Grants Act that would provide grants for foster youth to attend public or private universities and colleges in state for free. This program would provide grants through the state’s Office of Higher Education for up to five years, including tuition and room and board. The bill also calls for notifying former foster youth about their eligibility for state and federal grant funding as well as education and training vouchers.
Legislation update fromVoice for Adoption advocacy can be found here.
Latest update from theHuman Rights Campaign Foundation can be found here.
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