During the coming legislative session, dLCV intends to educate policy makers about the problems faced by children with disabilities who are in foster care. When children with disabilities age out of the foster care system, they find themselves suddenly with no resources, no safety net, and often no planning for their future. We note these proposed bills that may be helpful to these youth:
HB 76 (Keys-Gamarra) asks the Department of Social Services to have a supply of new luggage to be used to transport the personal belongings of a child in foster care. A similar bill failed last year because of the expenses associated.
HB 578 (Glass) requires local departments of social services to apply for federal benefits when a child is eligible and to ensure that the representative payees are representing the child’s best interests. The bill requires that federal benefits be placed in trust accounts for use when the child ages out of the foster care system. A similar bill was introduced two years ago, but failed because of the expense.
We expect to see budget language on this issue, as well.
Our mission is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation. We are available to educate policy makers about the potential impact of legislative proposals. Please let us know of any legislation that you think we should be following, by emailing us at ga@dlcv.org