ACF Region 10: Programs: Youth Services and Child Welfare: John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

Background

Each year an estimated 20,000 young people leave foster care at ages 18 or 19 with no formal connection to family. Research and anecdotal evidence have indicated that many young people who emancipate from foster care experience numerous difficulties in their attempts to achieve self-sufficiency, including homelessness, unemployment, victimization and dependency on various types of public assistance. To address these concerns, legislation was first enacted with the Independent Living Initiative of 1986 and subsequently broadened in 1999 and 2002.

Legislation

The John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP), Section 477 of the Social Security Act, was created in 1999 to provide States with greater funding and flexibility to carry out programs to assist youth in making the transition to self-sufficiency. CFCIP replaced the former Title IV-E Independent Living established in 1986.

Purpose

To ensure that young people involved in the foster care system receive services and support which will enable them to successfully transition to independent living.

Population Served

All children, including Indian youth, who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age and all former foster care recipients up to 21 years of age depending upon specific State eligibility criteria.

Services Provided

A State may implement programs to:

Enable participants to receive education and training including vocational training (Vouchers of up to $5,000 may be available)
Provide training in daily living skills, budgeting, locating and maintaining housing
Provide for individual and group counseling
Enable older youth 18-21 to receive housing assistance
Provide for the establishment of outreach programs
Provide each participant with a written independent living plan which shall be based on an assessment of needs, and which shall be incorporated into a case plan
Allow participants to remain eligible for Medicaid up to age 21.

Grant Award Process

FY2004, $138 million was allocated nationally for the CFCIP program through grants to States. An additional $44 million was allocated for education and training vouchers.

For More Information

For further information, contact Tina Minor, Children and Families Program Specialist in Region 10 at 206-615-3657.

Region 10 Services

For information about services administered by Region 10 states with Chafee funds, please contact each state's Independent Living Coordinator.

Alaska

Dorothy Douglas
State of Alaska
Office of Children's Services
PO Box 110630
Juneau, AK 99811-0630
Dorothy_Douglas@health.state.ak.us

Idaho

Lori Yellen
Foster Care and Independent Living Program Specialist
Department of Health and Welfare
450 West State Street, 5th Floor
Boise, ID 83720-0036
Phone: 208-334-5695
yellenl@idhw.state.id.us

Oregon

Rosemary Iavenditti
Independent Living Program Coordinator
Department of Human Services
Children, Adults, and Families
500 Summer Street, NE, E76
Salem, OR 97301-1069
Phone: 503-945-5688
Fax: 503-945-6969
Rosemary.Iavenditti@state.or.us

Washington

Rick Butt, MSW
Independent Living Program Manager
Children's Administration
1115 Washington St SE
Olympia, WA 98504-5710
Phone: 360-902-8243
RLBU300@dshs.wa.gov

National Services

For information about the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program nationwide, please visit the Children's Bureau website.