Today, Senator Amanda McGill introduced LB 216, a bill to extend services and support to young people who transition, or “age out,” of the foster care system to age 21 as allowed by the federal Fostering Connections Act. Nebraska Appleseed Child Welfare Director Sarah Helvey made the following statement in response:
“LB 216, the Young Adult Voluntary Services and Support Act, offers Nebraska the opportunity to improve outcomes and invest in young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood. By providing critical supports, including housing assistance, health care, and youth-directed transition services, we can help these young people beat the otherwise daunting odds they face and become healthy and productive adults.
Nebraska Appleseed is strongly supportive of this bill, which is the culmination of a extensive information gathering and a collaborative process involving young people and stakeholders from across the state. We sincerely thank Senator McGill for her leadership in that process and for her commitment to these important issues.
We believe this is a vital next step as the state continues working to reform our foster care system.”