COLUMBUS— State Representative Smith
(R-Bidwell) voted for legislation that increases the age for which
persons are eligible to receive foster care and adoption assistance, as
well as addresses issues associated with caring for the more than 67,000
juvenile and elderly Ohioans subject to guardianship in the state.
After having passed the House Community
and Family Advancement Committee and Finance Committee earlier this
year, the House voted in favor of the measure. House Bill 50 requires
the Director of the Department of Job and Family Services to expand
payments for foster care and adoption to qualifying persons up to the
age of 21.
According to Ohio Fostering Connections,
an organization that advocates for foster youth, more than 1,000 Ohio
youth age out of foster care at the age of 18 each year, putting them at
increased risk of homelessness, unemployment, insufficient education,
dependence on public assistance and human trafficking.
Additionally, HB 50 requires the probate
court to furnish appointed guardians with a guardianship guide, which
is to be written by either the Attorney General or the Ohio Judicial
Conference.
“This legislation provides additional
protections to at-risk youths and guardians that will dramatically
improve the foster care system,” Smith said.
Full Article & Source:
Rep. Smith votes to expand foster care assistance and reform State’s guardianship laws
1 comment:
Thank you, Rep Smith!
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