May is National Foster Care Month. During National Foster Care Month, you are encouraged to seek out ways to support children in foster care and assist those who have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of these vulnerable children in need, including child welfare professionals, foster families, and mentors. Not every individual or family is in a position to foster a child in need, but everyone can play a role. To all who have given their time, love, and commitment to the children in foster care and their families, we thank you! This week the concentration will be on the educational and training vouchers that are available for current and former foster care youth. The John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program helps current and former foster care youth through the Educational and Training Vouchers (“ETV”) Program. These vouchers are grants, funded by the United States federal government and administered by the states and awarded to eligible current and former foster youth to help defray the costs of college, career school or training. Persons who are eligible are:
1. Youth who are likely to remain in foster care until age 18;
2. Youth who were adopted or under kinship guardianship at age 16 or older, and
3. Young adults ages 18-21 who have aged out of the foster care system. S t u d e n t s who are eligible to receive funding under the Educational and Training Voucher P r o g r a m can get up to $5,000.00 per academic year based on cost of attendance and available funds.
If you are interested in more information regarding this program, please visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ programs/cb/resource/ chafee-foster-care-program A frequently asked question is whether there is any other help available for current or former foster care youth besides these education and training vouchers. For general information, help, and resources for foster care youth, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children & Families at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ program-topics/childrenyouth If you think it is the right time to open your home to children, consider becoming a foster parent for just a few years and make a lifetime of difference. Once again, visit the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Children and Families Foster Care website for more information and contact information: http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/ children/foster/index.htm
Next Month: Fathers Share Their Greatest Joys of Fatherhood
The writer does not assume responsibility in any way for readers’ efforts to apply or utilize information or recommendations made in these articles, as they may not be necessarily appropriate for every situation to which they may refer. If you would like to contact Rev. Lester, write to her c/o P.O. Box 121, Brookfield, WI. 53008.
