Panel recommends making extended foster-care coaching model permanent

The House Appropriations Committee recommended a due pass for Senate Bill 13-03 on March 26. The bill would make permanent Arizona’s extended foster care comprehensive service model, which provides weekly coaching, life-skills training and case management through contracted community providers for young adults who opt into extended foster care between ages 18 and 21.

Megan Del'Artino of Larry H. Miller (testifying on behalf of a nonprofit network) described strong program results: after implementation, participants’ attainment of a high-school diploma or GED increased (supporters reported 54 percent attainment among participants versus lower baseline rates among foster youth), postsecondary enrollment rose and financial-literacy completion rates were high. Youth participants addressed the committee directly — several gave personal testimony about avoiding homelessness, securing housing, enrolling in education or training and becoming parents with support from the program. Elena Mora, a program participant, said the coaching helped her get housing, complete schooling and prepare to care for an infant.

Supporters and housing advocates said the program reduces homelessness and downstream costs; the sponsor and supporters identified an implementation budget around $6 million in ongoing state general fund costs, supplemented by federal housing and other supports where eligible. The committee advanced the bill by a recorded vote of 15 yeses, 2 noes and 1 not voting.