National Association of Counties
On October 27, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Continued State Flexibility to Assist Older Foster Youth Act (H.R. 5661), which would extend key pandemic-related flexibilities in federal foster youth programs. Given our role in social service delivery and in fully or partially overseeing the child welfare system in 11 states, counties urge swift passage of H.R. 5661 in the U.S. Senate to ensure we have the tools and resources necessary to serve this vulnerable population for the remainder of the pandemic.
If enacted, H.R. 5661 would revive protections for current and former foster youth authorized as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (P.L. 116-260) that expired on October 1, 2021. The legislation would waive requirements for education and training vouchers through December 31, 2021. Additionally, through September 30, 2022, it would:
COVID-19 has created new challenges for county child welfare agencies as we work to implement new federal requirements for prevention services and congregate settings, connect children with kinship care givers and support Child Protective Services. It has also exacerbated structural barriers facing the nearly 20,000 youth aging out of foster care each year. Counties support this legislation to maintain flexibilities that have allowed us to adapt service delivery and increase resources for foster youth during the pandemic. NACo will continue to monitor the legislation and its progress.
<p>All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary,
