Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Applauds the Introduction of Legislation That Aims to Uplift Transition-Aged Youth

March 27, 2026
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04), Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-03), Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), and Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), are proud to announce support for a series of bipartisan bills that seek to support transition-aged foster youth. 

Research and years of lived experience advocacy have indicated a critical need for reform to a variety of programs offering resources to current and former foster youth in areas, including but not limited to housing, education, and workforce development. Together, these bills recognize and support the more than 23,000 foster youth who age out of the system annually without adequate support to guide them into a successful adulthood.  

“As co-chair of the Congressional Foster Youth, I am excited to advance legislation that provides greater support to foster youth, including housing, education, legal, workforce training, and other resources. This represents a strong first step, but we must increase Chafee funding to help meet the full needs of foster youth.” - Rep. Gwen Moore

"As a foster and adoptive dad, I've seen firsthand the challenges young people face when they leave the foster system without a stable foundation," said Rep. Nunn, Co-chair, Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth. "These bipartisan bills take meaningful steps to close critical gaps in housing, education, workforce training—ensuring foster youth have a stronger, more reliable path to independence and long-term success.”

“All foster youth deserve a fair shot to succeed,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “As a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I'm proud that our caucus is endorsing this package of legislation to create opportunities for foster youth. From increasing access to education and workforce development to providing housing, child care, and legal resources, this caucus will continue to advocate for foster youth to have the support they need to not only get by, but thrive."

“My time working on child services showed me just how important it is for lawmakers to advocate on behalf of the kids in the foster system. Behind every policy is a child who needs stability, support, and someone fighting for them. These bills are about making sure we’re doing everything we can to protect and empower foster youth, and I’m proud to stand behind them.” – Rep. Erin Houchin 

“As a foster-to-adopt parent and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I care deeply about supporting young people transitioning out of foster care. I’m pleased to support this bipartisan package that improves access to housing, education, and workforce opportunities, and strengthens the Chafee Program to help foster youth build stable, independent futures.” - Rep. Don Bacon

The following bills have been introduced in the Ways and Means Committee, with their respective summaries:

H.R.7432, Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act - Rep. Darin LaHood and Rep. Gwen Moore, text here

  • Strengthens coordination with federal Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) vouchers available through public housing agencies.
  • Allows Chafee funds to be used for housing supportive services outside of the existing 30% cap on “room or board,” provides flexibility to determine the cap based on a rolling average over five years, and aligns age eligibility with FYI vouchers.
  • Supports the First Lady's Foster Youth to Independence Initiative, which provides a clear path for foster youth transitioning to adulthood to obtain critical resources that advance independence, stability, and well-being.

H.R.7343, Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act - Rep. Max Miller and Rep. Dwight Evans, text here

  • Expand the use of education and training vouchers (ETVs) to allow foster youth to access short-term workforce and vocational training programs, apprenticeships, and remedial education.

H.R.7463, Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act - Rep. Judy Chu and Rep. Nathaniel Moran, text here

  • Increase the maximum allowable voucher amount from $5,000 to $12,000 per year.
  • Allow states to establish a grace period during which students can continue to receive their voucher if reasonable circumstances have temporarily prevented the student from meeting their state’s satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements.
  • Require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consult with youth who’ve experienced foster care to develop model guidance for states on implementation of the grace period.
  • Require that the form youth use to apply for ETV be simplified, user-tested, easy to understand, and available electronically.
  • Require states to make reasonable efforts to ensure eligible youth are aware of ETV and its benefits.
  • Allow states to use their general Chafee program funds toward ensuring eligible youth are aware of ETV, including by conducting outreach.

H.R.7655, Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act - Rep. Rudy Yakym and Rep. Danny Davis, text here

  • Requires states to have a process to provide expectant or parenting foster youth with information about visiting services under the MIECHV Program as a condition of receiving Chafee funds.
  • Permits a state to use its Chafee funds to provide tailored case management services and resource coordination for expectant or parenting foster youth.

H.R.7529, Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act - Rep. Danny Davis and Rep. Darin LaHood, text here

  • Improve access to legal representation and counseling to help foster youth transition to adulthood by resolving legal issues affecting housing, education, employment entry, and family conditions.
  • Amend the Chafee Program to require States to consider legal issues affecting youth as part of case planning and to provide States with the option to use funds to support access to legal representation and counseling.

H.R.7955, Chafee Opportunities for New Networks and Existing Connection Trust (CONNECT) Act - Rep. Gwen Moore and Rep. Mike Carey, text here

  • Updates the purposes section of the Chafee program to reflect the importance of establishing meaningful connections with adults and other lifelong support networks.
  • Adds a new purpose to clarify that Chafee funds may be used to help foster youth engage in their own permanency process and planning for independence.
  • Requires HHS to issue guidance, in consultation with youth with foster care lived experience, regarding implementation of the new purposes including best practices, outreach and protocols for documenting supports for youth.

Collectively, one or more of the bills are endorsed by the following organizations: Brightpoint, Child Welfare League of America, FosterClub, Think of Us, National Foster Youth Institute, Healthy Families America, Changent, Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Foster Success, Journey to Success, and the National Association of Counties. 

The Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth is a bipartisan caucus that is committed to addressing the needs of foster youth and making improvements to the child welfare system.

Issues: Congress