This guest post is offered by Ryan Kotrch, current
Regent Family Law student:
Foster families provide a temporary family for a child who needs one, but when that child reaches adulthood the transition is often quite challenging.
In 2016, the Fostering Futures program was created to help the
nearly 5,400 children
currently in the Virginia Foster Care System with housing support,
education/vocation assistance, and independent living needs after they have
turned 18 while in foster care and until they turn 21. This time of transition
can make all the difference.
To participate in the program the young adult would create a
specialized plan with their foster care worker to achieve financial stability
since they do not have a stable family they can rely on for help with financial
assistance while in college or adjusting to adult life.
Once a plan has been made, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations
Court will determine whether to approve the case plan. In doing so, the court
shall determine whether remaining in the care and placement responsibility of
the local department of social services is in the program participant’s best
interests and if the program participant’s case plan is sufficient to achieve
the goal of independence (Va. Code. § 16.1-283.3).
If approved, it is expected that the program participant will continue to
maintain eligibility in the program by executing their plan and continuing to
work with their foster care worker. Program participants are then given
$500/month to help cover housing, food, clothing, supplies, education, and job
training assistance. In 2017 there were about 200
people in the Fostering Future program.
The Fostering Futures program increases the likelihood of a successful
transition for young adults who age out of the foster care system – a very
helpful piece toward family restoration in Virginia.
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