The federal government is now pushing states to take part in two foster care programs that support guardianship placements and the extension of foster care up to age 21.
The two programs are part of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, which was passed in 2009 and allows for federal IV-E funds to be more freely used, according to Youth Today.
According to the Act, teens will be eligible for these funds if they continue their education or get a job among other things.
As JJIE.org reported last month, more than 700 fostered teens in Georgia turn 18 this year and face an uncertain future, and a quarter of young people who age out become homeless within two years. But Georgia has apparently not applied for the money that might help them.
Twenty-three states have submitted IV-E guardianship placement plans and 11 have gotten final approval from the Administration for Children and Families, which oversees IV-E funds.
To date, Texas is the only state with a plan in place to increase the foster care age limit to 21.