California Welfare and Institutions Code

§ 11403.1

WIC § 11403.1 Effective Jan 1, 2018Div. 9 · Part 3 · Ch. 2 · Art. 5

Statute text

(a)(1) The Legislature finds and declares that former foster youth are a vulnerable population at risk of homelessness, unemployment, welfare dependency, incarceration, and other adverse outcomes if they exit the foster care system unprepared to become self-sufficient. Unlike many young individuals 18 years of age who can depend on family for ongoing support while they complete postsecondary education or develop career opportunities, emancipating foster youth have their primary source of support, AFDC-Foster Care payments, terminated at 18 years of age and are then dependent on their own resources for self-support. Some foster youth are not able to complete high school or other education or training programs due to ongoing trauma from the parental abuse or neglect and gaps in their educational attainment stemming from the original removal and subsequent changes in placement.

(2)Completion of an educational or training program is an essential, minimum skill needed by foster youth in order to be competitive in today’s economy.

(3)It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to create, for counties that opt to participate, the Supportive Transitional Emancipation Program (STEP) in which emancipated foster youth may receive support while participating in an educational or training program, or any activity consistent with their transitional independent living plan up to 21 years of age.

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Legislative history

Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 732, Sec. 62. (AB 404) Effective January 1, 2018.