CC6BA47AAB1ABC958725869A00710817 Hearing Summary

Representative Daugherty, bill sponsor, introduced HB21-1094. This bill establishes two new programs in the Department of Human Services (DHS) to serve older foster youth: the Foster Youth in Transition Program and the Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program.

The bill requires county departments of human or social services to provide extended foster care services to eligible youth ages 18 to 21 on a voluntary basis.  The bill establishes eligibility and enrollment criteria for the program, as well as the process to bring program participants under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. The DHS is responsible for supervising the programs and establishing rules for the new transition program.  



In addition, the bill establishes the Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program (grant program) and an associated advisory board to serve youth age 18 to 23 who are making the transition to independence and adulthood.  Services are to be provided throughout the state by county departments and other entities that are awarded program grants.  The bill also creates the Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program Fund to pay for related services, which will consist of any money appropriated to the fund by the General Assembly.  The bill allows DHS to use money awarded through the Federal Social Security Act for the purposes of the grant program.

Representative Van Beber, bill sponsor, gave opening remarks on the bill.

Committee members asked questions to the bill sponsors.

Ms. Minna Castillo-Cohen, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified to amend the bill.

Mr. Trevor Williams, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Ombudsman Stephanie Villafuerte, representing The Office of Colorado's Child Protection Ombudsman, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Betsy Fordyce, Executive Director, representing Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions of the previous witnesses.

Ms. Kristin Melton, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Viviana Cervantes, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Benjamin Waters, representing Fostering Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Alexander Miller, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Ashley Chase, representing Colorado Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Kippi Clausen, representing Colorado Rural Collaborative for Homeless Youth, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Thomas Perille, representing Democrats for Life of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Benjamin Waters told the committee about additional supporters of the bill.

Submitted written testimony can be found in Attachment C.

The bill sponsors introduced amendments L.003 (Attachment D) and L.002 (Attachment E).

Representative Van Beber gave final remarks on the bill.