Committee sends 'Future in Focus' bill to finance to extend support for former foster youth
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Summary
HB 1964 would create a voluntary program to extend supports for people who aged out of foster care, expanding eligibility up to ages 21–24; the committee voted 15–0 to re-refer the measure to finance after testimony from advocates and the bill patron.
The committee voted to report and re-refer to finance House Bill 19 64, the "Future in Focus" program, which would extend voluntary transitional supports to people who previously participated in Fostering Futures and meet enrollment, training or work-hour criteria.
Delegate Tada, patron of HB 1964, told the committee the program would serve Virginians ages 21 to 24 who participated in Fostering Futures before turning 21 and who have completed secondary or vocational training or worked at least 80 hours a month. "This assists former foster children transition to adulthood, achieving self sufficiency," the delegate said.
Advocacy groups testified in favor. Valerie LaRue of Virginia Poverty Law Center and Emily Moore of Voices for Virginia's Children described the bill as an important safety net. Testimony cited national statistics on housing and education outcomes for youth aging out of care: "20 percent of foster youth experience homelessness immediately after aging out," the patron said, adding the figure rises to 40 percent after 18 months.
The committee noted there was some House budget language supporting the program and that the Senate lacked corresponding funding; members re-referred the bill to finance for fiscal consideration. The clerk recorded 15 ayes and 0 no votes.