Grants to improve pre–placement services for foster youth

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administration for Children and Families, shall award 3 demonstration grants of not more than $1,000,000 to foster care stabilization agencies for the purpose of providing emergency relief to foster youth and improving pre-placement services for foster youth waiting for placement.(b)

Duration

A foster care stabilization agency that receives a grant under this Act shall have 3 years to spend funds awarded by the grant and return any unused grant funds to the Secretary.(c)

Application

A foster care stabilization agency that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, that shall include the following:(1)A description of how grant funds will be used to provide emergency relief to foster youth by the foster care stabilization agency.(2)A description of how grant funds will be used to improve pre-placement services offered by the foster care stabilization agency.(d)

Application dissemination

The Secretary shall ensure that the solicitation of applications for a grant under this Act is posted publically on the website of the Administration for Children and Families and shall make special dissemination efforts to rural areas and among Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.(e)

Use of funds

A grant awarded under this section may be used to carry out any of the following activities:(1)Hiring of personnel necessary to provide emergency relief to foster youth and ensure that services, resources, and assistance reach such youth.(2)Provision of clothing and other personal necessities to a foster youth for a total not to exceed $250 per foster youth, per year.(3)Purchase of food and equipment needed to prepare food for foster youth.(4)Provision of service and support to prevent and respond to occurrences of child abuse and neglect with respect to foster youth.(5)Any other extraordinary or emergency assistance needed to promote the safety and self-sufficiency of foster youth.(6)Any other purpose that the Secretary determines appropriate.(f)

Reservation

The Secretary shall reserve $45,000 appropriated pursuant to the authorization under subsection (i) to be used for administration, oversight, and technical assistance activities related to this section.(g)

Report

The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that—(1)describes how grants awarded under this section have been used to provide emergency relief to foster youth;(2)describe how grants awarded under this section have been used on pre-placement services;(3)contains data on the extent of clothing and other necessities purchased with grant funds awarded under this section that have been provided to foster youth; (4)provides an evaluation of case outcomes for foster youth who have benefitted from grant funds; and(5)states the number of home transfers for each foster youth that has benefitted from grant funds. (h)

Definitions

In this Act:(1)

Foster care stabilization agency

The term foster care stabilization agency means a local public or private nonprofit, including community and faith-based organizations, with expertise and experience providing direct services to one or more of the following:(A)Children who are under the care and placement responsibility of a State or Tribal agency that administers a plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 621 et seq. and 670 et seq.). (B)Foster youth under the age of 18.(C)Foster youth 18 years of age or over, but under 26 years of age.(2)

Foster youth

The term foster youth means an individual in foster care who has not attained 26 years of age.(3)

Home transfer

The term home transfer means the initial placement of a foster youth in to foster care, and any subsequent placement move of that foster youth while in foster care.(4)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.(i)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $3,045,000 for fiscal year 2022.