President Donald Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), Public Law 116-260, into law on December 27, 2020. The CAA provides federal funding for states operating an IV-E Child Welfare Agency to offer flexibilities and assistance to young adults who have aged out or are aging out of foster care during the COVID-19 pandemic. This act also provides supplemental appropriations and additional requirements for the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood that includes the Education Training Voucher program.
The CAA continues safe operation of child welfare programs, support for young adults between the ages of 19-26, and prevents aging out of foster care during the pandemic.
- An IV-E Child Welfare Agency may not require youth to leave foster care solely due to age before October 1, 2021;
- States are required to provide re-entry to foster care for young adults who aged out during the pandemic (January 27, 2020, through September 30, 2021). States must facilitate the re-entry process;
- States may not find a youth ineligible for IV-E foster care maintenance payments due to age or due to failure to meet educational and employment conditions;
- Young adults can remain IV-E eligible even if they are not able to meet the education and employment conditions before October 1, 2021, as long as they meet all other IV-E requirements;
- States must provide notice of the option to reenter foster care to each youth who aged out of foster care during the COVID-19 public health emergency;
- States must continue to follow all requirements related to permanency and transitional planning.; and,
- Assist former foster care young adults with supportive services during the pandemic.
Documents
COVID-19 Consolidated Appropriations Act FAQs en español