Extending payments past 18 (Sec. 201)

The Act provides states with the option to continue providing Title IV-E reimbursable foster care, adoption, or guardianship assistance payments to children up to the age of 19, 20 or 21 if the youth is 1) "completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;" 2) "enrolled in an institution which provides post-secondary or vocational education;" 3) "participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers to, employment;" 4) "employed for at least 80 hours per month;" or 5) "incapable of doing any [of the above] due to a medical condition."  In addition, the Act amends the definition of a child-care institution to include "a supervised setting in which the individual is living independently, in accordance with such conditions that the Secretary [of HHS] shall establish in regulations."

Transition plan (Sec. 202)

The Act requires states, for all youth during the 90-day period immediately prior to aging out of care, to "provide the child with assistance and support in developing a transition plan that is personalized at the direction of the child, includes specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors, and workforce supports and employment services."  The child's caseworker and other representatives must help the child develop a personal transition plan that addresses specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, and workforce supports and employment services.

Extending eligibility for transition services (Sec. 101)

The Act extends eligibility for the Chafee Foster Care Independent Living Program (ILP) services to children adopted or placed in kinship guardianship at age 16 or older.  In addition, the Act extends eligibility for education and training vouchers to children who exit foster care to kinship guardianship at age 16 or older (those adopted after age 16 were already eligible).