Hi:

I just wanted to thank everyone that voted to pass this bill. The children’s lives will be aided incredibly by this bill. So often as a 7 yr vetren foster parent, it has sadden me, when children leave the home prematurely, because of lack of funding, and they are not able to be successful without additional supports, that are not put into place. Thank you so much for thinking beyond the age 18 for our children that are suffering and scared of turning 18 years old. You have just stablelized an incredible amount of children that would be fearful, worried, anxious,and very unstable. These kids can’t make it on there own, and you are all awesome for giving them the additional supports that will give them the additional time to adjust to adult life, and be as successful as possible for their future. I already know you have reduced the crime rate, and homelessness among this population with this new law. These kids are often incarcarated shortly after turning 18 yrs old, from the supports that were in place just being abandoned and unable to advocate for theirselves in all the areas of concerns. Thank you again for making this world a better place to live.

In my area, many more children enter guardianship (only 30% with relatives)with people who are not related by blood – foster parents, a teacher, a neighbor, a best friend’s parents. It appears there is nothing in this bill to assist those families and children. Will these youth be excluded because there was no appropriate blood relative to provide for their care?