SB 1728 Summary

• Establishes extended foster care comprehensive service model fund and requires Department of Child Safety to develop supportive services including weekly engagement, life skills training, mental/physical health, education assistance, housing support, and employment planning for young adults ages 17.5-21 in extended foster care program.

• Requires extended foster care success coaches with caseloads of no more than 20 young adults each; coaches must have bachelor's or associate's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related fields (or equivalent through alternative routes) and be at least 26 years old with experience working with at-risk youth.

• Creates extended foster care quality review committee within Department of Child Safety to verify young adults meet eligibility criteria, have permanent family connections, possess individualized transition plans, and are developing skills needed to thrive outside foster care.

• Requires Department of Child Safety to implement the comprehensive service model within 150 days and submit reports to legislative committees on program components, eligibility requirements, health insurance, education opportunities, and housing services.

• Mandates Department of Economic Security to screen and test TANF cash benefit recipients with reasonable cause to believe they illegally use controlled substances; positive test results make recipient ineligible for one year.

• Establishes homeless shelter and services fund administered by Arizona Department of Housing to award grants to counties, cities, towns, tribes, and nonprofits for shelter and services programs; fund expires September 30, 2027.