This Issue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Vol. 4, No. 2 • Spring 2000

Federal Legislation Could Give
North Carolina Chance to Improve
Support to Foster Youth

On November 19, 1999 the United States Congress passed the Foster Care Independence Act, which is designed to give a boost to state independent living programs. This Act is designed to provide the following supports for young people who are in and/or aging out of the foster care system:
    • Assistance in obtaining a high school diploma,
    • Vocational training,
    • Job placement and retention,
    • Financial management skills,
    • Substance abuse prevention,
    • Preventive health activities (including nutrition education and pregnancy prevention),
    • Provision of financial, housing, counseling, employment, education, and other appropriate support and services.

This legislation has the potential to increase funding for North Carolina's Independent Living Program (ILP) from $1,045,349 to $2,300,000.

To receive this funding, however, North Carolina must provide a 20 percent "match" in state funds, or about $460,000. By providing this match, North Carolina could expand the services it provides. Currently about 1,100 youths receive Independent Living services; under the new funding, this number could be expanded to 3,000 youths (ages 14 to 21) at a state cost of only $133 per youth.

There is a downside to this opportunity: if we do not meet the 20 percent match the federal government asks, all federal funding will be withdrawn. North Carolina could lose its entire independent living program.

Independent Living Programs
The Independent Living Program (ILP) helps prepare youths for the transition from foster care to life as an independent adult. ILP is a federal initiative that began in 1986, following a lawsuit against the State of New York by a former foster youth.

All IL money is federal --North Carolina has never made a financial contribution. Counties traditionally have been awarded $385 to $415 annually for each foster child between the ages of 16 and 21 residing in that particular county. These funds are expected to help provide IL services to the youth. Independent Living allocations cease when youths turn 18 years old unless a county is willing to offer a voluntary placement agreement (VPA) or provide aftercare services to the youth, in which case may they continue until the youth reaches age 21.

North Carolina's ILP currently provides services to youths aged 16 to 21 who are in foster care. Approximately 1,100 foster youths in North Carolina are in this age range. Services are based on a written assessment of youths.

Services can include activities, skills, and needs such as: job preparation, educational programs, teaching basic life skills, uniforms and supplies for employment, money management skills, and field trips to programs and events which support learning self-sufficiency.

Training for social workers, foster parents, and group care providers who work with older foster youths.

Four one-day youth conferences throughout the state with life skills workshops taught by community representatives.

Surveys show that youths participating in North Carolina's ILP continue to demonstrate better employment histories and to seek educational opportunities as opposed to foster youths who do not participate in the program.

Why Provide the Match?
It makes economic sense for North Carolina to match this federal money with state funds. A recent poll conducted by the North Carolina Division of Social Services found that of 294 youths who aged out of the foster care system last year:
  • 4 percent (11 youths) were incarcerated,
  • 10 percent (29 youths) were pregnant out of wedlock, and
  • 16 percent (47 youths) were homeless.

These numbers may be even higher, as 20 percent of youths in the survey were unaccounted for. Giving early and enhanced support to older foster youths will prevent these tragic outcomes and assist youths to move forward and become self-sufficient, productive adults.

Providing support for foster youths will also save North Carolina the social and economic costs associated with youth and adult incarceration, public assistance, and homelessness. For example, it costs taxpayers $23,000 to incarcerate someone for a year and $2,732 a year in TANF benefits for a mother and one child (this does not include food stamps and other related assistance). A small amount of additional support targeting older youths in foster care to help them finish school, gain employment, and make a successful transition into adulthood will not only save state dollars in the long run, but will save young peoples' lives.

Without the Match
In North Carolina, over 11,000 children and youth live in foster care because of abuse or neglect. Although many of these young people will return home or be adopted, each year over 200 youths (294 in 1999) leave state custody at age 18 with little or no family, financial, or community support. Without the resources, support, or skills to become economically self-sufficient, these young people are at high risk for a variety of negative outcomes. National studies have shown that after leaving foster care:
  • 46 percent of youths have not completed high school,
  • 51 percent are unemployed,
  • 32 percent receive some kind of public assistance
  • 25 percent are homeless at least one night, and
  • 27 percent of males and 10 percent of females are incarcerated at least once.

What You Can Do
The youth advocacy group SAYSO, the North Carolina Child Advocacy Institute, and other groups have strongly encouraged the North Carolina General Assembly to appropriate the $556,000 in state funds required to expand and strengthen North Carolina's Independent Living Program. If you agree, consider contacting your state legislators and letting them know how you feel. If you are unsure who your representatives are, you can call the North Carolina General Assembly at 919/733-4111, or visit their website at <http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/html1999/geography/html4Trans/Representation/Rep_Home.html> to find out.

Thanks to Independent Living Resources, Inc. and the North Carolina Division of Social Services' Joan McAllister for providing source material for this article.

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families