HB21-1094 Summary

• Establishes the Foster Youth in Transition Program allowing youth ages 18-21 (or older if federally eligible) to voluntarily remain in or re-enter Colorado's foster care system after emancipation, with eligibility requiring current/recent foster care involvement and engagement in education, employment, or similar activities.

• Provides participating youth with minimum services including Medicaid enrollment assistance, safe and stable housing funded through foster care maintenance payments, case management, and support for employment, education, identity documents, and family connections.

• Creates a standardized voluntary services agreement between county departments and participating youth specifying rights, obligations, available services, and the youth's right to terminate at any time until age 21.

• Establishes a Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program with a dedicated fund to provide grants to service providers (with preference for county departments and evidence-based services) and creates an advisory board to oversee implementation.

• Appropriates $510,623 to the Department of Human Services ($408,498 from general fund, $102,125 from local cash funds) and $52,392 to the Judicial Department for the Office of the Child's Representative for the 2021-22 fiscal year.