Reps. Davis, LaHood Champion Bill to Help Foster Youth Transition to Adulthood by Improving Access to Legal Representation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) introduced the Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act (H.R. 7529) to help foster youth transition to adulthood by resolving legal issues affecting housing, education, employment entry, and family conditions.
As the top Democrat and Republican on the Subcommittee with jurisdiction over child welfare, Reps. Davis and LaHood have heard from foster youth and advocates about ways to improve the John H. Chafee Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood program, which provides $143 million a year in flexible funding to states, territories, and Indian tribal entities to support older foster youth as they exit care. Leading advocacy organizations have highlighted that foster youth can experience legal needs that often are acute and time-sensitive, threatening a young person’s housing, educational goals, income, and family stability at a time when they have the least support. For example, in 2020, the National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council listed quality legal representation as one of its four Youth & Alumni Priorities to help older foster youth. Similarly, since launching its Virtual Support Services program in 2021, Think of Us reports that 18 percent of all requests from transition-age youth relate to legal services. A few of the most common categories of legal need include: housing stability and eviction defense; guardianship and custody, especially for youth informally caring for siblings or relatives; and access to vital records.
The Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act would improve access to legal representation and counseling to help foster youth transition to adulthood by resolving legal issues affecting housing, education, employment entry, and family conditions. Specifically, the bill would amend the Chafee Program to require States to consider legal issues affecting youth as part of case planning and to provide States with the option to use funds to support access to legal representation and counseling.
“Foster youth face numerous challenges as they exit care,” said Rep. Davis. “I proudly join with Chairman LaHood to help older youth transition to adulthood by improving access to legal representation and counseling. I am grateful to the current and former youth who have used their lived experience to share how legal assistance could help young people secure stable housing, resolve guardianship and custody issues, remove barriers to employment, and pursue educational opportunities to thrive.”
"Youth aging out of foster care are one of the most vulnerable populations in our country,” said Rep. LaHood. “One of my top priorities as Chairman of the Work and Welfare Subcommittee is to ensure every child has a chance to thrive and a pathway to success. I thank Ranking Member Davis for his leadership in introducing the bipartisan Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act to build on our Subcommittee’s work to modernize the Chafee Foster Care Program. It is critical that we continue our work to expand access to education, housing, and employment opportunities to help foster youth successfully transition into adulthood.”
The Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act is supported by numerous foster youth, child welfare, and legal advocates, including: Brightpoint; Child Welfare League of America; Children’s Advocacy Institute; Foster Care Alumni of America; FosterClub; Juvenile Law Center; National Foster Youth Institute; Think of Us; Youth Law Center; and Youth Villages.
Brightpoint
“Ultimately, this bill is about believing in young people and not giving up hope on them, nor allowing them to give up hope on themselves. We applaud Reps. Davis and LaHood for working together on this important bill that ensures a brighter future for our youth aging out of foster care.” Mike Shaver, president and CEO of Brightpoint, which has served Illinois children and families for more than 142 years
Child Welfare League of America
“Young adults transitioning from foster care to adulthood often face obstacles and barriers to establishing independence and security. It is incumbent upon the agencies and organizations serving these young people to help them access resources and navigate the relevant systems, including the legal system. The Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act will give child welfare agencies additional flexibility to help youth in foster care address pressing legal concerns, allowing them to build a steady foundation for their future. CWLA applauds Chairman LaHood and Ranking Member Davis for their introduction of this important legislation.” Linda S. Spears, President and CEO of the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)
FosterClub
“Foster youth face unique legal barriers that can derail their journey to adulthood. This bill ensures Chafee funds can be used to quickly resolve those challenges so young people can stay on track. We’re grateful to Representative Davis for listening to young people as his ‘North Star’.” Celeste Bodner, Executive Director of FosterClub, the national network for youth in foster care
Think of Us
“Through our Virtual Support Services program, Think of Us has worked with thousands of transition-age foster youth across the country — and legal assistance consistently ranks among their most pressing needs. Young people come to us facing eviction proceedings, benefit denials, and guardianship filings with no one to help them navigate these systems. These barriers do not disappear when a young person leaves foster care. They follow them into housing applications, job interviews, and college enrollment. Access to legal representation should be part of how we prepare young people for adulthood, not something they have to fight for on their own. We are proud to support this legislation, and we are grateful to Representatives LaHood and Davis for their commitment to listening to young people and advocating on their behalf.” Sixto Cancel, CEO, Think of Us
The legislative text of the bill is available HERE.
A summary of the bill is available HERE.