Data by State

The data in the "Child Welfare Financing (2010)" section were compiled from the 2008/2010 Casey Child Welfare Financing Survey and the 2007 Casey Child Welfare Financing Survey. The state fiscal year (SFY) 2008 for most states was July 1, 2007 through July 30, 2008.

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Total Expenditures

• Total child welfare expenditures in SFY 2010, all sources: $424,422,601
• Change in total expenditures, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: 3%
• Federal, state, and local share of expenditures, SFY 2010
  • Federal: 45%
  • State/Local: 55%

Total Federal Funds

• Total child welfare expenditures from federal funds, SFY 2010: $192,261,866
• Change in federal expenditures between SFYs 2008 and 2010: 10%
• Federal expenditures by funding source, SFY 2010
  • Title IV-E: 57%
  • Title IV-B: 5%
  • Medicaid: 14%
  • TANF: 18%
  • SSBG: 4%
  • Other: 2%
• Proportion of federal spending from sources not dedicated to child welfare (SSBG,Medicaid,TANF) in SFY 2010
  • SSBG/MEDICAID/TANF: 36%
  • All other federal sources: 64%

Title IV-E (all-programs)

• Total Title IV-E claims/expenditures, SFY 2010: $109,332,939
• Change in Title IV-E claims/expenditures, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: 11%
• Percent of all federal funds from Title IV-E, SFY 2010: 57%

Title IV-E Foster Care

• Total Title IV-E Foster Care claims/expenditures, SFY 2010: $51,156,032
• Change in Title IV-E Foster Care claims/expenditures, between SFYs 2008 and 2010 : 5%
• % of all Title IV-E Dollars from Foster Care in SFY 2010: 47%
• Title IV-E Foster Care claims/expenditures in SFY 2010: Maintenance Payments: $20,580,455
• Change in Title IV-E Foster Care Maintenance Payments, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: 31%
• Title IV-E Foster Care claims/expenditures in SFY 2010: Administration & Placement, Training, SACWIS: $30,575,577
• Change in Title IV-E Foster Care Admin & Placement/Training/ SACWIS, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: -8%
• Title IV-E Foster Care Penetration Rates, SFY 2010: 41%
• Change in Title IV-E Foster Care Penetration Rate, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: Decreased

Title IV-E Adoption Assistance

• Total Title IV-E Adoption Assistance claims/expenditures, SFY 2010: $54,592,831
• Change in Title IV-E Adoption Assistance claims/expenditures, between SFYs 2008 and 2010 : 17%
• % of all Title IV-E Dollars from Adoption Assistance in SFY 2010: 50%
• Title IV-E Adoption Assistance claims/expenditures in SFY 2010: Assistance Payments: $49,844,085
• Change in Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Payments, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: 18%
• Title IV-E Adoption Assistance claims/expenditures in SFY 2010: Administration & Placement, Training: $4,748,746
• Change in Title IV-E Adoption Admin & Placement/Training between SFYs 2008 and 2010: 7%
• Title IV-E Adoption Penetration Rates, SFY 2010: 83.43%
• Change in Title IV-E Adoption Penetration Rate, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: Decreased

Title IV-E Chafee/ETVs

• Total Title IV-E Chafee Foster Care Independence Program/Education and Training Vouchers Expenditures, SFY 2010: $2,840,641
• Change in Title IV-E Chafee/ETV expenditures, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: 4%

Title IV-E Demonstration Waivers

• Title IV-E Demonstration Waiver claims/expenditures, SFY 2008: $743,435

Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance

• Total Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance claims/expenditures, SFY 2010: $0
• Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance claims/expenditures in SFY 2010: Assistance Payments: $0
• Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance claims/expenditures in SFY 2010: Administration & Placement, Training: $0

Title IV-B

• Total Title IV-B claims/expenditures, SFY 2010: $9,957,783
• Change in Title IV-B claims/expenditures, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: 0%
• Percent of all federal funds from Title IV-B, SFY 2010: 5%

Medicaid

• Total Medicaid claims/expenditures, SFY 2010: $26,210,967
• Change in Medicaid claims/expenditures, between SFYs 2008 and 2010 : 32%
• Percent of all federal funds from Medicaid, SFY 2010: 14%

Social Services Block Grant (SSBG)

• Total SSBG expenditures for child welfare, SFY 2010: $8,468,600
• Change in SSBG expenditures, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: -3%
• Percent of all federal funds from SSBG, SFY 2010: 4%

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

• Total TANF expenditures for child welfare, SFY 2010: $33,860,900
• Change in TANF expenditures, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: 1%
• Percent of all federal funds from TANF, SFY 2010: 18%

Other Federal and Third Party Funds

• Total child welfare expenditures form other federal or third party sources, SFY 2010: $4,430,677
• Change in other federal or third party sources expenditures, between SFYs 2008 and 2010: 17%
• Percent of all federal funds from other federal or third party sources, SFY 2010: 2%

Total State Funds

• Total child welfare expenditures form state funds, SFY 2010: $147,618,400
• Change in state expenditures between SFYs 2008 and 2010: 0%
• Percent of all expenditures from state funds, SFY 2010: 35%

Total Local Funds

• Total child welfare expenditures form local funds, SFY 2010: $84,542,335
• Change in local expenditures between SFYs 2008 and 2010: -5%
• Percent of all expenditures from state funds, SFY 2010 : 20%

The data in the "Child Welfare Financing (2008)" section were compiled from the 2008/2010 Casey Child Welfare Financing Survey and the 2007 Casey Child Welfare Financing Survey. The state fiscal year (SFY) 2008 for most states was July 1, 2007 through July 30, 2008.

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Total Expenditures

• Total child welfare expenditures, SFY 2008, all sources: $402,786,458
• Change in total expenditures, between SFYs 2006 and 2008: N/A
• Federal, state, and local share of expenditures, SFY 2008
  • Federal: 42%
  • State/Local: 58%

Total Federal Funds

• Total child welfare expenditures from federal funds, SFY 2008: $171,009,609
• Change in federal expenditures between SFYs 2006 and 2008: -14%
• Federal expenditures by funding source, SFY 2008
  • Title IV-E: 57%
  • Title IV-B: 6%
  • Medicaid: 11%
  • TANF: 19%
  • SSBG: 5%
  • Other: 2%
• Proportion of federal spending from sources not dedicated to child welfare (SSBG, Medicaid, TANF) in SFY 2008
  • SSBG/MEDICAID/TANF: 36%
  • All other federal sources: 64%

Title IV-E (all-programs)

• Total Title IV-E claims/expenditures, SFY 2008: $96,732,935
• Change in Title IV-E claims/expenditures, between SFYs 2006 and 2008 : -25%
• Percent of all federal funds from Title IV-E, SFY 2008: 57%

Title IV-E Foster Care

• Total Title IV-E Foster Care claims/expenditures, SFY 2008: $47,973,000
• Change in Title IV-E Foster Care claims/expenditures, between SFYs 2006 and 2008: -41%
• % of all Title IV-E Dollars from Foster Care in SFY 2008: 50%
• Title IV-E Foster Care claims/expenditures in SFY 2008: Maintenance Payments: $15,451,028
• Change in Title IV-E Foster Care Maintenance Payments, between SFYs 2006 and 2008: -26%
• Title IV-E Foster Care claims/expenditures in SFY 2008: Administration & Placement, Training, SACWIS: $32,521,972
• Change in Title IV-E Foster Care Admin & Placement/Training/SACWIS, between SFYs 2006 and 2008: -46%
• Title IV-E Foster Care Penetration Rates, SFY 2008: 47%
• Change in Title IV-E Foster Care Penetration Rate, between SFYs 2006 and 2008: Decreased

Title IV-E Adoption Assistance

• Total Title IV-E Adoption Assistance claims/expenditures, SFY 2008: $45,720,129
• Change in Title IV-E Adoption Assistance claims/expenditures, between SFYs 2006 and 2008: 2%
• % of all Title IV-E Dollars from Adoption Assistance in SFY 2008: 47%
• Title IV-E Adoption Assistance claims/expenditures in SFY 2008: Assistance Payments: $41,362,482
• Change in Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Payments, between SFYs 2006 and 2008: 4%
• Title IV-E Adoption Assistance claims/expenditures in SFY 2008: Administration & Placement, Training: $4,357,647
• Change in Title IV-E Adoption Admin & Placement/Training between SFYs 2006 and 2008: -12%
• Title IV-E Adoption Penetration Rates, SFY 2008: 85%
• Change in Title IV-E Adoption Penetration Rate, between SFYs 2006 and 2008: Increased

Title IV-E Chafee/ETVs

• Total Title IV-E Chafee Foster Care Independence Program/Education and Training Vouchers Expenditures, SFY 2008: $2,667,491
• Change in Title IV-E Chafee/ETV expenditures, between SFYs 2006 and 2008: -6%

Title IV-E Demonstration Waivers

• Title IV-E Demonstration Waiver claims/expenditures, SFY 2008: $372,315

Title IV-B

• Total Title IV-B claims/expenditures, SFY 2008: $9,768,900
• Change in Title IV-B claims/expenditures, between SFYs 2006 and 2008 : -9%
• Percent of all federal funds from Title IV-B, SFY 2008 : 6%

Medicaid

• Total Medicaid claims/expenditures, SFY 2008: $19,395,928
• Change in Medicaid claims/expenditures, between SFYs 2006 and 2008 : 37%
• Percent of all federal funds from Medicaid, SFY 2008: 11%

Social Services Block Grant (SSBG)

• Total SSBG expenditures for child welfare, SFY 2008: $8,599,300
• Change in SSBG expenditures, between SFYs 2006 and 2008: 1%
• Percent of all federal funds from SSBG, SFY 2008: 5%

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

• Total TANF expenditures for child welfare, SFY 2008: $32,809,600
• Change in TANF expenditures, between SFYs 2006 and 2008 : -1%
• Percent of all federal funds from TANF, SFY 2008: 19%

Other Federal and Third Party Funds

• Total child welfare expenditures form other federal or third party sources, SFY 2008: $3,702,946
• Change in other federal or third party sources expenditures, between SFYs 2006 and 2008: -24%
• Percent of all federal funds from other federal or third party sources, SFY 2008: 2%

Total State Funds

• Total child welfare expenditures form state funds, SFY 2008: $144,894,800
• Change in state expenditures between SFYs 2006 and 2008: -14%
• Percent of all expenditures from state funds, SFY 2008: 36%

Total Local Funds

• Total child welfare expenditures from local funds, SFY 2008: $86,882,049
• Change in local expenditures between SFYs 2006 and 2008: N/A
• Percent of all expenditures from state funds, SFY 2008: 22%

The data in the "Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect" section are derived from Child Welfare Information Gateway's State Statutes Series. Child Welfare Information Gateway is a service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For additional information on state statutes related to the definition of child abuse and neglect and other child welfare topics, please visit: http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state.

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Physical Abuse

• Definition includes threats or risk of harm: Definition includes acts/circumstances threatening child with harm or creating substantial risk of harm (39 states)

Neglect

• Definition includes failure to educate: Failure to educate child not included in statute (26 states)
• Medical neglect specifically defined: Medical neglect not specifically defined in statute (41 states)

Sexual Abuse

• Definition of sexual abuse: State has specific definition of sexual abuse (52 states)

Emotional Abuse

• Emotional maltreatment in abuse/neglect defintion: Defnition of abuse/neglect includes emotional maltreatment (50 states)
• Specific definition of emotional abuse/mental injury: Statute includes specific definitions of emotional abuse/mental injury (34 states)

Parental Substance Abuse

• All-state overview: Parental substance abuse as child maltreatment
  • Definition includes child's exposure to harm prenatally due to mother's use of drug/illegal substance: Yes
  • Definition includes manufacture of controlled substance in child's presence or on premises with child : No
  • Definition includes using/storing manufacturing chemicals/equipment in child's presence : No
  • Definition includes selling, distributing, or giving drugs/alcohol to child : No
  • Definition includes caregiver's use of controlled substance that impairs his/her ability to adequately care for child: No
• - Prenatal exposure to harm: Definition includes child's exposure to harm prenatally due to mother's use of drug/illegal substance (15 states)
• - Manufacturing around child: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (42 states)
• - Using/storing chemicals or equipment in child's presence: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (49 states)
• - Selling, distributing, giving drugs/alcohol to child: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (45 states)
• - Caregiver impairment due to substances: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (45 states)

Abandonment

• Abandonment in abuse or neglect statute: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (15 states)

Standards for Reporting

• Standards for reporting abuse or neglect: State has specific reporting standards (52 states)

Person Responsible for the Child

• Persons responsible for the child: Statute identifies who can be reported to CPS for abuse/neglect (52 states)

Exceptions

• All-state overview: Exceptions to acts/omissions constituting abuse/neglect
  • Financial inability to provide for child exempted: Yes
  • Reasonable physical discipline (causing no bodily injury) exempted: No
  • Not providing medical care due to religious beliefs (may incl. Christian Science) exempted : No
  • Religious exemption for medical care applies, but court may order treatment if warranted : No
  • Religious exemption for medical care applies, but mandatory reporters required to report: No
• Financial inability to provide for child excluded from neglect definition: Financial inability to provide for child excluded from neglect definition (13 states)
• Reasonable physical discipline (causing no bodily injury) excluded from abuse definition: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (35 states)
• Religious beliefs: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (16 states)

The data in the "Differential Response" section are derived from the National Quality Improvement Center (QIC) on Differential Response in Child Protective Services, operated by the American Humane Association under a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau. The data from a 2009 survey of states were summarized in the report, "Online Survey of State Differential Response Policies and Practices Findings Report" (June 2009). The QIC has received updated information for certain states since the survey was conducted, and that information is reflected here whenever possible. For additional information on state policies related to differential response, please access the report at: http://www.differentialresponseqic.org/assets/docs/qic-dr-findings-report-jun09.pdf.

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Status & Scope of implementation

• Status of DR Implementation: State is planning a DR system (10 states)
• Year of DR implementation: Not applicable or not available (31 states)
• Scope of DR implementation: Not applicable or not available (31 states)

DR Pathways

• Pathways/tracks for screened in/out reports: Not applicable or not available (31 states)
• Number of distinct pathways/tracks for screened-in reports: Not applicable or not available (31 states)

Pathway Assignment Protocols

• Staff who determine DR assignment: Not applicable/Information not available (31 states)
• Use of risk assessment tools/decision-making tree: Not applicable/Information not available (31 states)
• Reassignment from DR to formal investigation: Not applicable/Information not available (31 states)
• Reassignment from formal investigation to DR: Not applicable/Information not available (31 states)

Criteria for Assignment to DR pathway

• Risk: Not applicable or not available (31 states)
• Child maltreatment type: Not applicable or not available (31 states)
• Source of report: Not applicable or not available (31 states)
• Number of prior reports: Not applicable or not available (31 states)
• Child age: Not applicable or not available (31 states)
• Assignment to DR limited by other child/family characteristics : Not applicable or not available (31 states)

Substantiation of maltreatment through DR

• Substantiation of maltreatment through DR: Not applicable/not available (31 states)

Reporting to NCANDS

• Reporting non-investigative assessments to NCANDS: Not applicable or not available (31 states)

DR Eligibility for Children in Foster Care/Juvenile Court

• Use of DR when child in foster care: Not applicable or not available (31 states)
• Placing child in foster care after DR: Not applicable or not available (31 states)
• Juvenile dependency court and DR: Not applicable or not available (31 states)

Codification in Statute, Policy, & Protocols

• DR mandated by statute: Not applicable/Information not available (31 states)
• Practice, policy, procedure guidelines: Not applicable/Information not available (31 states)

Services Provided through DR Pathways

• Services provided through DR pathways
  • Parenting Classes: Yes
  • Substance Abuse Programs: Yes
  • Family Counseling: Yes
  • Advocacy Services: Yes
  • Medical and/or Dental Services: Yes
  • Child Care: Yes
  • Home Cleaning Help: Yes
  • Services Related to Economic Hardship: Yes
  • Other: Yes

The data in the "Domestic Violence" section are derived from Child Welfare Information Gateway's State Statutes Series. Child Welfare Information Gateway is a service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For additional information on state statutes related to domestic violence and other child welfare topics, please visit: http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state.

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Definitions of Domestic Violence

• Domestic violence in civil laws
  • Domestic violence defined in civil statutes: Yes
  • Civil statutes list specific acts constituting domestic violence: Yes
  • Domestic violence included in civil definition of child abuse: No
  • Not addressed in statutes reviewed: No
• Domestic violence in criminal laws
  • Domestic violence defined in criminal or penal code: Yes
  • Criminal statutes list specific acts constituting domestic violence: Yes
  • Child abuse included in criminal definition of domestic violence: No
  • Not addressed in statutes reviewed: No
• Protected persons within domestic violence definition
  • Children: No
  • Grandchildren: No
  • Foster children: No
  • Foster parents: No
  • Not addressed in statutes reviewed: Yes
• Child abuse reporting and child protection laws: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (28 states)

Witnesses to Domestic Violence

• Child witnesses to domestic violence addressed in statute: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (29 states)
• Circumstances constituting witnessing domestic violence: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (30 states)
• Who constitutes a witness: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (30 states)
• Criminal penalties for child witnessing domestic violence: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (33 states)
• Other legal consequences for child witnessing domestic violence: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (46 states)

The data in this "Fostering Connections Policies" section are derived from the FosteringConnections.org project, a collaboration of nonprofit partner organizations managed by Child Trends with the goal of promoting timely and thoughtful implementation of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act. For additional information about implementation of the Act, please visit: www.fosteringconnections.org.

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Kinship Guardianship Assistance Programs

• States with an approved IV-E GAP Plan under Fostering Connections: State does have an approved plan (30 states)

Extension of Care Beyond 18

• States with an approved IV-E plan to extend care to older youth under Fostering Connections: State does not have an approved plan (34 states)

The data in the "Kinship Care Policies" section were compiled from the 2007 Casey Kinship Foster Care Policy Survey. For additional information on state laws and legislation related to kin caregivers, please visit the Grandfamilies State Law and Policy Resource Center, at: http://www.grandfamilies.org/.

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Definition of Kin

• How is "kin" defined?: State uses narrow definition of kin (18 states)

Locating Kin

• Diligent search resources to locate kin
  • Engagement with the Child and/or the Child's Network: No
  • Use of Professional Search Services: No
  • Diligent Search Units or Workers: No
  • Web Searches: No
  • Local/State/Federal Databases: No
  • Other: Yes

Private Kin Arrangements

• State involvement in private kin arrangements: State has ongoing involvement with kinship caregivers in private kin arrangements (26 states)

Kin Placements as a Diversion from Foster Care

• Use of kin placements to divert from foster care/custody : State does not have a set policy on placing with kin to avoid custody after an investigation of abuse and/or neglect (1 state)

Licensure Options for Kin

• Provisional licensure or "pre-approval" for kin caring for a child in state custody: State has a pre-approval process for kin (37 states)
• Licensure options for kin caring for a child in state custody: Full licensure or separate approval process for kin (11 states)

Payment of Kin Caring for Children in State Custody

• Payment options for states that offer full licensure
  • Monthly Foster Care Payment: Yes
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Grant: No
  • Another Payment Financed by the State or County: No
• Payment options for states that offer licensure with a modification or waiver
• Payment options for states with a separate approval process for kin
  • Foster Care Payment: No
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Grant: Yes
  • Another Payment Financed by the State or County: No

Guardianship Policies

• Guardianship options for kin: State allows kin to pursue permanent legal guardianship (49 states)
• Guardianship payments: Compared with Foster Care: Guardianship payment is equal to the Foster Care payment (15 states)
• Guardianship payments: Compared with Adoption Assistance: Guardianship payment is equal to the Adoption Assistance payment (17 states)

Placement with Noncustodial Parents

• Noncustodial parents as placement options: State policy does not give preference to noncustodial parents over other relatives (7 states)

The data in the "Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect" section are derived from Child Welfare Information Gateway's State Statutes Series. Child Welfare Information Gateway is a service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For additional information on state statutes related to mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect and other child welfare topics, please visit: http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state.

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Types of Mandatory Reporters

• Persons required to report: Only specific professionals designated as mandatory reporters in statute (33 states)
• Professionals specified as mandatory reporters
  • Any Person Required to Report: No
  • Commercial film/photograph processors: No
  • Substance abuse counselors: Yes
  • Probation or parole officers: No
  • Domestic violence workers: No
  • Animal control or humane officers: No
  • Court-appointed special advocates: Yes
  • Clergy: Yes

Exceptions for Privileged Communications

• Clergy-penitent privilege: Clergy-penitent privilege affirmed (in pastoral communications) (31 states)
• Attorney-client privilege: Not addressed in statutes reviewed (30 states)

Protection of Reporter's Identity

• Inclusion of mandated reporter's name in report: Reporter not required by statute to provide name (31 states)
• Disclosure of reporter's identity: Reporter's identity protected from disclosure to alleged perpetrator in statute (41 states)
• Circumstances warranting disclosure of reporter identity
  • Court-ordered for compelling reason: No
  • Court finds reporter knowingly made false report: No
  • Reporter waives confidentiality/consents to release: No

Dworksy, A. & Havlicek, J. (2009). Review of State Policies and Programs to Support Young People Transitioning Out of Foster Care. Chicago: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. Some data from TN and NM was provided to Child Trends upon follow up with state staff.

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Foster Care Age Limits

• Can youth remain in foster care after 18th birthday?: Youth CAN remain in foster care after 18th birthday (43 states)
• Can youth remain in foster care after 19th birthday?: Youth CANNOT remain in foster care after 19th birthday (7 states)
• When are youth ineligible to remain in foster care?: 19th birthday (5 states)

Circumstances in which Youth can Stay in Care Past 18th Birthday

• All-state overview: Circumstances to stay in care past 18th birthday
  • Youth is on track to graduate high school or get GED: Yes
  • Youth is enrolled in college or vocational program: No
  • Youth has disabilities or special needs: Yes
  • Youth is receiving mental health or sub. abuse treatment: No
  • Youth is pregnant: No
  • Youth is parenting: No
  • Court determines it is in youth's best interest: No
  • Youth petitions court to remain in care: No
  • Other: No
• Can youth stay in care past 18 if on track to graduate/get GED?: Youth can remain in foster care past 18th birthday if they are on track to graduate from high school/obtain GED (35 states)
• Can youth stay in care past 18 if they have disabilities/special needs? : Youth can remain in foster care past 18th birthday if they have mental/physical disabilities or other special needs (25 states)

Requirements Youth Must Comply with to Stay in Care Past 18th Birthday

• All-state overview: Requirements for staying in care past 18th birthday
  • Youth must sign voluntary placement agreement: No
  • Youth must live in licensed or approved placement: Yes
  • Youth must be employed: No
  • Youth must be enrolled in school: Yes
  • Youth must be employed OR enrolled in school: No
  • Youth must pay portion of room and board: No
  • Youth must participate in services and comply with case plan: No
  • No requirements of youth: No
  • Other: No
• To stay in care past 18, must youth live in an approved or licensed placement? : Youth must be living in an approved or licensed placement to remain in foster care past 18th birthday (27 states)
• To stay in care past 18, must youth be enrolled in school? : Youth must be enrolled in school to remain in foster care past 18th birthday (19 states)

Circumstances in which Youth Can Stay in Care Past 19th Birthday

• All-state overview: Circumstances to stay in care past 19th birthday
  • Youth is on track to graduate high school or get GED: Yes
  • Youth is enrolled in college : Yes
  • Youth has disabilities or special needs: Yes
  • Youth is receiving mental health or sub. abuse treatment: Yes
  • Youth is pregnant: Yes
  • Youth is parenting: Yes
  • Court determines it is in youth's best interest: Yes
  • Youth petitions court to remain in care: Yes
  • Other: Yes

Requirements Youth Must Comply with to Stay in Care Past 19th Birthday

• All-state overview: Requirements for staying in care past 19th birthday
  • Youth must sign voluntary placement agreement: Yes
  • Youth must live in licensed or approved placement: Yes
  • Youth must be employed: Yes
  • Youth must be enrolled in school: Yes
  • Youth must be employed OR enrolled in school: Yes
  • Youth must pay portion of room and board: Yes
  • Youth must participate in services and comply with case plan: Yes
  • No requirements of youth: Yes
  • Other: Yes

Court Jurisdiction After 18

• Does court retain jurisdiction over foster youth after their 18th birthday?: Court retains legal jurisdiction over youth in care after 18th birthday (20 states)
• Does court retain jurisdiction over foster youth after their 19th birthday?: Not applicable (Youth cannot remain in foster care after 19th bday) (7 states)*

Supervised Independent Living Placements

• Supervised independent living as a placement option: Supervised independent living is a placement option for youth in foster care (36 states)
• Minimum age for supervised independent living eligibility: 17 years old (12 states)
• Eligibility requirements for supervised independent living
  • Youth must pay portion of rent/room and board: Yes
  • Youth must be enrolled in school: No
  • Youth must be working: Yes
  • Youth must comply with case plan/participate in services: Yes
  • Other: No
  • Depends: No
  • Don't know: No

Re-entry into Foster Care

• Can emancipated/discharged youth re-enter foster care?: Youth CANNOT re-enter foster care after emancipation or discharge to independent living (17 states)

Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

• Age at which foster youth become eligible for Chafee-funded services: 15 years old (7 states)

State-funded Independent Living (IL)/Transition Services

• Does state use its own funds for IL/transition services and supports?: State does NOT use its own funds to provide IL/transition services and supports* (11 states)
• Are state funds used for IL/transition services that Chafee dollars cannot fund?: Not applicable (state does not use own funds beyond 20% required match) (11 states)
• All-state overview: State-funded services and supports
  • Tuition waivers for public colleges or universities: Yes
  • College scholarships: Yes
  • Foster care maintenance payments for youth who are 18+: Yes
  • Transitional housing: Yes
  • Housing subsidies: Yes
  • Emergency cash assistance: Yes
  • Other housing costs: Yes
  • Monthly stipends for foster youth preparing to age out: Yes
  • Driver's education or driver's license fees: Yes
  • Other: Yes