HR0892 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0892 LRB099 14261 GRL 38457 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Studies have shown the need for continued assistance for children who have aged out of foster care; and

WHEREAS, Studies have also shown that former foster care youth are more likely than their peers to have higher unemployment and lower levels of higher education; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Children and Family Services has committed to assisting youth that age out of foster care with programs that ensure continued success of the child and are cost-effective for the State; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has implemented programs and laws to assist various populations for employment and educational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, There is a need to further examine existing laws and programs of other populations that may be applicable to youth that have aged out of foster care; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that there is created the Supporting Aged Out Foster Care Children Task Force under the Department of Children and Family Services to identify and recommend cost-effective ways to further assist foster care children as they age out of care and into independent living; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall research, analyze, and consider existing laws, programs, and benefits that could be used to assist wards of the State in a cost-effective manner to live independently as they age out of foster care; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of following members: 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of which shall serve as a Co-Chairperson of the Task Force; 3 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, one of which shall serve as a Co-Chairperson of the Task Force; the Secretary of Human Services or his or her designee; the Director of Children and Family Services or his or her designee; the Director of Healthcare and Family Services or his or her designee; the Director of Corrections or his or her designee; a representative of the Governor's Office, appointed by the Governor; 2 members who are licensed social workers who work with children in at-risk groups, appointed by the Governor; 2 representatives from the Children and Family Services Advisory Council, appointed by the Director of Children and Family Services; and 2 former youth-in-care, appointed by the Director of Children and Family Services; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall receive the cooperation of any State agencies it deems appropriate to assist the Task Force in carrying out its duties; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall be considered members with voting rights; a quorum of the Task Force shall consist of a majority of the members of the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall present its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly in a report to the General Assembly and the Director of Children and Family Services on or before December 31, 2016.