LRB-0069/4
GMM:cjs:rs
2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE
DOA:......Major, BB0189 - Foster care transition to independent living
For 2013-2015 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
health and human services
Children
Current law requires DCF to distribute $497,200 in each fiscal year, as grants for children's community programs, to counties for the purpose of supplementing payments for the care of an individual who attains the age of 18 after 1986, who resided in a foster home for at least two years immediately prior to attaining age 18, and who, for at least two years, received payments for exceptional circumstances in order to avoid institutionalization, so that the individual may live in a family home or other noninstitutional situation after attaining age 18 (Foster Care Continuation Program).
This bill deletes the sum certain allocated for the Foster Care Continuation Program. The bill also provides that a county is eligible to receive funding under that program only if the county received funding under that program in fiscal year 2012-13. In addition, the bill creates a Transition to Independent Living Program under which DCF is required to distribute at least $231,700, in each fiscal year, as grants for children's community programs, to counties for the purpose of assisting individuals who attain the age of 18 while residing in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth or in the home of a relative other than a parent to make the transition from out-of-home care to independent living.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section
1. 48.481 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.481 (1) (a) The department shall distribute $497,200 foster care continuation grants in each fiscal year to counties for the purpose of supplementing payments for the care of an individual who attains age 18 after 1986 and who resided in a home licensed under s. 48.62 for at least 2 years immediately prior to attaining age 18 and, for at least 2 years, received payments for exceptional circumstances in order to avoid institutionalization, as provided under rules promulgated by the department, so that the individual may live in a family home or other noninstitutional situation after attaining age 18. No county may use funds provided under this paragraph to replace funds previously used by the county for this purpose. Beginning in fiscal year 2013-14, a county is eligible to receive funding under this paragraph only if the county received such funding in fiscal year 2012-13.
Section
2. 48.481 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
48.481 (2) Transition to independent living. The department shall distribute at least $231,700 in each fiscal year to counties for the purpose of assisting individuals who attain the age of 18 while residing in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth or in the home of a relative other than a parent to make the transition from out-of-home care to independent living. No county may use funds provided under this subsection to replace funds previously used by the county for this purpose.
(End)
