Here you will find state and national tools, analyses and research related specifically to the Older Youth provisions of the new Fostering Connections law. If you know of any resources that do not appear in our library, please send us an email at with the suggested resource, author and website URL for consideration.
Alaska Resources
Tools
- National Resource Center for Youth Development
This National Child Welfare Resource Center is funded by the Children's Bureau and is part of the Training and Technical Assistance Network administered by the Children's Bureau.
- State Child Welfare Policy Database: Older Youth
A website with state-by-state policy information regarding older youth in foster care. Visitors can view information on individual state policies and compare one state's policies to those of other states.
Research & Reports
- Fostering Connections Aging Out Brief
- Review of State Policies and Programs to Support Young People Transitioning out of Foster Care
The report addresses the findings of a national review of state programs for young people aging out of foster care.
- Alaska Fostering Connections Act Implementation Report
Provides an overview of the state's child welfare population, budget, native tribes, and the progress (as of 2009) the state has made toward implementing the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act
Analysis
Training
No resources are available for Alaska.
National Resources
Tools
- Comprehensive overview of ACF-PI-10-11
This powerpoint presentation is a comprehensive overview of PI-10-11. ACF-PI-10-11 provides title IV-E agencies comprehensive information on the provisions of titles IV-B and IV-E as a result of the amendments made by the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, P.L. 110-351. In addition to providing new guidance on the option for a title IV-E agency to extend assistance for the foster care maintenance, adoption assistance, and/or kinship guardianship programs to an eligible youth age 18 and older up to age 21, this instruction provides additional guidance on the other provisions of P.L. 110-351 and the flexibilities afforded to a title IV-E agency in complying with the law. This instruction also provides instruction on changes to the titles IV-B/IV-E plan requirements as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148).
- National Resource Center for Youth Development
This National Child Welfare Resource Center is funded by the Children's Bureau and is part of the Training and Technical Assistance Network administered by the Children's Bureau.
- WEBINAR: Two Years Since Fostering Connections, Older Youth Provisions
On October 7, 2010, the Fostering Connections Resource Center, together with FosterClub, the National Conference of State Legislatures, The Finance Project, the John Burton Foundation and Fostering Media Connections hosted a webinar to mark the 2 year anniversary of the Fostering Connections Act, with a special emphasis on the older youth provisions.
- WEBINAR: Fiscal Impact of Extending Foster Care to 21
The powerpoint presentation from the April 27th, 2010 webinar on The Net Fiscal Impact of Extending Foster Care to 21 hosted by the Fostering Connections Resource Center in conjunction with with The Finance Project and the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative.
- WEBINAR: Designing Foster Care to 21
A powerpoint presentation from the Feb 8, 2010 webinar on how to design foster care to age 21 hosted by the Fostering Connections Resource Center in conjunction with The Finance Project and the National Foster Care Coalition.
- Designing Foster Care to 21: A Discussion Guide for State Leaders
State leaders considering the opportunities to extend IV-E eligibility presented by Fostering Connections face a variety of design decisions regarding how best to structure supports and services for older youth in foster care. This brief is intended to support state leaders in that decision making process
- WEBINAR: Transition Planning Training-of-Trainers for Young Leaders
On October 21, FosterClub and FosteringConnections.org held a webinar to provide training for young leaders in how to help youth transition from foster care succesfully. Participants were awarded certificates. The following materials related to the webinar can be found below.
- FosterClub's Transition Toolkit
A tool for developing a youth-driven transition plan using a team approach
- FAQ: Youth and Young Adults Provisions of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
Provides information about, and assists in the implementation of, Fostering Connections in states across the nation. The document answers questions about Fostering Connections' improvements that will impact youth and young adults in foster care and assist in the implementation process.
- Extending Foster Care to Age 21: Weighing the Costs to Government Against the Benefits to Youth (Issue Brief)
This issue brief provides preliminary estimates of what the potential costs to government and the benefits to young people would be if states extend foster care to age 21. The analysis focuses on the increase in postsecondary educational attainment associated with allowing foster youth to remain in care until they are 21 years old and the resulting increase in lifetime earnings associated with postsecondary education.
- Extending Foster Care to Age 21: Weighing the Costs to Government Against the Benefits to Youth (Full Report)
- It's My Life: Postsecondary Education and Training
This guide gives child welfare professionals the information ans tools they need to help youth prepare for and successfully complete postsecondary education or training.
- It's My Life: Housing
This guide gives child welfare professionals the tools they need to help young people get and keep safe, affordable housing after they leave care.
- It's My Life: Employment
This guide gives child welfare professionals strategies and resources for coaching young people, from ages 11 to adulthood, through the contiuum of career development and employment.
- CWLA Standard for Transition, Independent Living, and Self-Sufficiency Services
This document on standards provides the framework for the successful planning, delivery, coordination, and development of family, community, and agency resources toward this goal.
- Title IV-E Plan Pre-print
The attached pre-print from the Children's Bureau incorporates the statutory provisions of P.L. 110-351 that are effective through FY 2010
Research & Reports
- Sample State Legislation to Extend Foster Care, Adoption and Guardianship Protections, Services and Payments to Young Adults Age 18 and Older
Gives sample legislation for in regards to the Older Youth provision of the law.
- Lighthouse independent living program: Characteristics of youth served and their outcomes at discharge
This study examined the outcomes of 455 young people who entered the Lighthouse Independent Living Program during the period 2001–2006.
- Resources from the April 16th, 2010 Summit on Charting a Better Future for Youth
Resources from the April 16th, 2010 Fostering Connections National Summit: Charting a Better Future for Youth hosted by the American Bar Association.
- Guiding Principles for Implementation of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 Provisions Addressing Older Youth
This document provides a set of principles regarding the essential elements of implementing the Fostering Connections provisions for older youth.
- Extending Foster Care to Age 21: Benefits, Costs, and Opportunities for States
This audioconference gives an overview of research conducted by Chapin Hall and others shows that foster youth who are allowed to stay care beyond age 18 -- when most states end guardianship -- are more likely to go to college and derive other benefits.
- Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth
The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth (Midwest Study) is a prospective study following a sample of young people in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois as they make the transition from foster care to early adulthood. It provides a comprehensive picture of how foster youth are faring during this transition since the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 became law.
- Continuing Foster Care Beyond 18: How Courts Can Help
The study involved analysis of administrative data, a statewide survey of caseworkers, focus groups with substitute caregivers and with youth, and site visits to interview court personnel across the state. Findings indicate that strong advocacy within the juvenile court on behalf of foster youth plays a primary role in keeping youth in care.
- Youth Transitioning from Foster Care: Background, Federal Programs and Issues for Congress
This report summarizes the issues faced by young people when they leave foster care without safe, permanent families. Youth who spend their teenage years in foster care and age out are likely to face challenges in early adulthoold.
- Review of State Policies and Programs to Support Young People Transitioning out of Foster Care
The report addresses the findings of a national review of state programs for young people aging out of foster care.
- When Should the State Cease Parenting? Evidence from the Midwest Study
This Issue Brief discusses the potential benefits of allowing foster youth to remain in care past age 18. In particular, data from the Midwest Study suggest that allowing foster youth to remain in care past age 18 increases their likelihood of attending college and their likelihood of receiving independent living services after age 19. It may also increase earnings and delay pregnancy.
- Children Discharged from Foster Care: Strategies to Prevent the Loss of Health Coverage at a Critical Transition
Kaiser Family Foundation report on health of foster care children at transition time
- Teen Pregnancy Prevention Among Youth in Foster Care
This brief makes recommendations for how federal, state, and local governments can use provisions in the Fostering Connections Act to help young people in and transitioning out of foster care to get the education and health services they need to avoid teen pregnancy.
- Fostering Connections to Success: Extending a Social Safety Net for Youths Facing Homelessness and Poverty
A journal article on the Act's effect on older youth aging out of foster care.
- Transition Programs in Indian Country
Provides an initial understanding of programs available to American Indian youth and services provided within American Indian communities.
- Improving Access to Independent Living Services for Tribes and American Indian Youth.
Describes how Tribes can access independent living services for Indian youth and be involved in the development of culturally appropriate services to assist Indian youth as they begin the transition from tribal and state foster care systems to adulthood.
- What Works for Older Youth During the Transition to Adulthood
This fact sheet examines the role that programs for older youth can play in promoting positive development and subsequent self-sufficiency in adulthood. It synthesizes the findings from 31 rigorous evaluations of programs; all of the programs evaluated youth outcomes during the transition to adulthood (ages 18 to 25), but programs varied in the ages of targeted youth.
- The role of housing in the transition process of youth and young adults: A twenty-year perspective.
- Needs and Demographics of Former Foster Youth Entering California's THP-Plus Program: Findings from the Statewide Participant-Tracking System
The report provides the findings of an analysis of data collected from 1000 former foster youth who entered California's THP+ Housing Program with supportive services.
- Extending Foster Care to 21: Measuring Costs and Benefits in Washington State
This report gives information on the costs and benefits of extending foster care to 21 in the state of Washington.
- "Green Book"- Child Welfare section
The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee "Green Book" section on child welfare includes information on federal programs dedicated to child welfare purposes, including program requirements, spending and characteristics of children served.
- Child Welfare Outcomes 2003-2006: Report to Congress
Child Welfare Outcomes 2003-2006: Report to Congress is a report created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the Department) to meet requirements of section 203(a) of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA).1 ASFA amended section 479A of the Social Security Act to require an annual report on State performance. Child Welfare Outcomes 1998 was the first report created in the Child Welfare Outcomes series of reports.
Analysis
- Summary and Section-by-Section Description of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (H.R. 6893)
This memorandum provides a section-by-section overview of major provisions included in the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008.
- Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008: New Opportunities for Children in Foster Care and Beyond.
This Powerpoint presentation provides an introduction to the new law, background on key provisions, the potential impact on children and families, and an information to guide implementation.
- Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act: Implementation Issues and a Look Ahead at Additional Child Welfare Reforms
This brief summarizes the Fostering Connections Act and examines implementation issues.
- Summary by ACF/DHHS of the Title IV-E Child Welfare Waiver Demonstrations
An overview of the Title IV-E Child Welfare Waiver Demonstrations submitted to the Administration for Children and Families.
- The Cost Savings of Extended Foster Care
This edition of On-the-Line with CWLA features important insights from the March 2009 report that examines the potential costs and benefits of extended foster care
- Resources from CLASP on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act
An array of resources by the Center for Law and Social Policy on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.
- Resources from CWLA on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act
An array of resources by the Child Welfare League of America on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.
- Resources from CDF on policies and programs related to Fostering Connections Act
An array of resources by the Children's Defense Fund on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.
- Connected By 25: Effective Policy Solutions for Vulnerable Youth
Training
- Comprehensive overview of ACF-PI-10-11
This powerpoint presentation is a comprehensive overview of PI-10-11. ACF-PI-10-11 provides title IV-E agencies comprehensive information on the provisions of titles IV-B and IV-E as a result of the amendments made by the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, P.L. 110-351. In addition to providing new guidance on the option for a title IV-E agency to extend assistance for the foster care maintenance, adoption assistance, and/or kinship guardianship programs to an eligible youth age 18 and older up to age 21, this instruction provides additional guidance on the other provisions of P.L. 110-351 and the flexibilities afforded to a title IV-E agency in complying with the law. This instruction also provides instruction on changes to the titles IV-B/IV-E plan requirements as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148).
- WEBINAR: Two Years Since Fostering Connections, Older Youth Provisions
On October 7, 2010, the Fostering Connections Resource Center, together with FosterClub, the National Conference of State Legislatures, The Finance Project, the John Burton Foundation and Fostering Media Connections hosted a webinar to mark the 2 year anniversary of the Fostering Connections Act, with a special emphasis on the older youth provisions.
- WEBINAR: Fiscal Impact of Extending Foster Care to 21
The powerpoint presentation from the April 27th, 2010 webinar on The Net Fiscal Impact of Extending Foster Care to 21 hosted by the Fostering Connections Resource Center in conjunction with with The Finance Project and the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative.
- WEBINAR: Designing Foster Care to 21
A powerpoint presentation from the Feb 8, 2010 webinar on how to design foster care to age 21 hosted by the Fostering Connections Resource Center in conjunction with The Finance Project and the National Foster Care Coalition.
- WEBINAR: Transition Planning Training-of-Trainers for Young Leaders
On October 21, FosterClub and FosteringConnections.org held a webinar to provide training for young leaders in how to help youth transition from foster care succesfully. Participants were awarded certificates. The following materials related to the webinar can be found below.
- Fostering Transitions
A website including a forum, helping youth to age out of foster care successfully.
