House Ways and Means subcommittee urges modernization of Chafee as witnesses say ‘aging out is not a plan’

Members of the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Work and Welfare heard bipartisan testimony that the federal John H. Chafee foster care program and related federal supports need modernization and better local coordination to prevent young people from ‘‘aging out’’ of care without stable housing, education or connections.

The hearing opened with Chairman Darren LaHood saying, “Aging out is not a plan,” and describing recent reauthorization work under the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act and remaining gaps in services. Ranking Member Danny Davis and other members cited data on educational and housing outcomes for former foster youth as motivation for further legislative changes.

Witnesses with personal experience and nonprofit operators described barriers that limit youth access to services such as education and training vouchers (ETVs), foster-youth housing vouchers, and workforce supports. Kimberly Webb, a 20-year-old from Farmington, Missouri who is enrolled in Missouri’s Royals program, told the panel that specialized, relationship-driven case management made a decisive difference for her: “They didn’t boss me around or make decisions for me. They gave me the information I needed and supported me in making my own choices,” Webb said, describing one-on-one coaching and help getting vital documents, transportation and life skills.

Ramon Nelson, a former foster youth and lived-experience leader, described years of poor information and instability that delayed his college progress and left him briefly homeless: “I’m not what I’ve been through. I’m what I’m built for,” Nelson said. He told members he learned about…