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The Federal Government announced funding to support foster youth through the pandemic by supplementing the John H. Chafee program and the Education Training Voucher program. In addition, flexibilities were announced to allow 21-year-old to voluntarily remain or re-enter foster care.
The John H. Chafee Program
The John H. Chafee Program offers assistance to help current and former foster care youths achieve self-sufficiency. The federal government has granted additional funding of $12,961,217 to New York State for Chafee Funds, which will be available through September 30, 2022.
Chafee funding awards available through September 30, 2021 include:
- Young adults, 18 through 26 years of age, who were formerly in foster care in New York State after the age of 14.
Chafee funding awards available through September 30, 2022 includes:
- Young adults, 18 up to age 23 years of age, who were formerly in foster care in NYS after the age of 14 and otherwise eligible for Chafee funding in New York State.
- Young adults, 18 up to 21 years of age, who are currently in foster care and otherwise eligible for Chafee funding in New York State.
Final Chafee Consolidated Appropriations Act Presentation (5/12/2021)
Re-entry/Aging out
- Youth who aged out between January 27, 2020 and September 30, 2021, are eligible to re-enter foster care until September 2021.
- Youth who are 21 and have left foster care during the above timeframe may re-enter foster care.
- Youth who are currently in foster care may not be discharged solely due to age from December 27, 2020 to September 30, 2021.
- Education and Employment requirements are waived until September 30, 2021 for youth remaining or returning to foster care.
- The moratorium on aging out and reentry after age 21 ends September 30, 2021.
- Youth wishing to explore their re-entry options, can contact their County Representative or Local Department of Social Services.
The Education and Training Voucher (ETV)
The Education and Training Voucher (ETV), makes available vouchers of up to $5,000 per year per youth, for post-secondary education and training for eligible youth. The additional funding from the federal government temporarily increases ETV awards from up to $5000, to up to $12,000 until September 30, 2022.
- Student up to the age of 27 may receive an award up until September 30, 2021.
- Students up to age 23 may continue to receive the temporary additional award up until September 30, 2022
- Cost of attendance as well as satisfactory academic performance standards have temporarily been waived until September 30, 2021.
Please note: No student may receive an ETV award for more than five years regardless if consecutive or not.