2014 -- S 2530

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LC004649

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH,

AND FAMILIES EXAMINE AND REFINE ITS CURRENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES

FOR TRANSITION PLANNING FOR 18-21 YEAR OLDS WHO HAVE EXITED THE CHILD

WELFARE SYSTEM

     Introduced By: Senators Ottiano, Miller, Nesselbush, and Cool Rumsey

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     WHEREAS, Youth between the ages of 18-21 who exit directly from the child welfare

system must quickly master a number of tasks related to adulthood, including those involving

their housing, healthcare, and education. With fewer supports available to them, these young

Rhode Islanders are vulnerable to being overlooked, which may increase the likelihood of poor

educational attainment, financial uncertainty, homelessness, and mental health instability, at

significant costs to society; and

     WHEREAS, The General Assembly places authority for the well-being of children in the

foster care system with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), which also

assumes responsibility for addressing the transitional planning for youth who will exit the child

welfare system; and

     WHEREAS, The importance of extensive planning beginning in the early teenage years

has been recognized by the United States Congress and is underscored in the Individuals with

Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as in the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and

the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. In addition, the

Rhode Island Senate has signaled its interest in more robust transitional planning for youth aged

18-21, most recently through its 2013 oversight of the Department of Children, Youth, and

Families; and

     WHEREAS, DCYF is recognized nationally as a leader in providing supportive services

to 16-21 year-olds through its Consolidated Youth Services Program (CYS), which includes

YESS Aftercare Services for youth aged 18-21 who have aged out of foster care; and

     WHEREAS, An analysis of available data gathered as part of the national Youth in

Transition Database Survey will provide DCYF with valuable information on the successes and

challenges of foster youth; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island must ensure that the system in place continues to improve and

enhance supports for our most vulnerable population of youth, and assure that these supports are

as robust as they can be; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests that DCYF examines best policies and practices in transition for

youth aged 18-21 who leave the child welfare system; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests that DCYF identify whether and how

Rhode Island’s policies and practices can be refined in light of excellent youth transition models;

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby respectfully requests that DCYF provides a written

report to the Senate by January, 5, 2015, regarding how its policies and practices can be altered to

create a more comprehensive transition system to assist 18-21 year olds towards achieving

independence, as well as identifying any additional resources that might be necessary to support

the changes; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Governor, the Director of the Department of

Children, Youth, and Families, the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human

Services, the Child Advocate, and the Chief Judge of the Rhode Island Family Court.

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LC004649

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