John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood

This program assists States and eligible Indian Tribes in implementing programs that assist youth who have experienced foster care to make successful transitions into adulthood and self-sufficiency. The program is focused on youth who experienced fos

This program funds states and tribes to provide services to youth in and transitioning out of foster care.

State governments, including the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (hereafter "states"), and eligible Indian tribes, Indian tribal organizations, or Indian tribal consortia (hereafter "tribes") with an approved plan.

Youth who experienced foster care at 14 or older, youth who left foster care for adoption or kinship guardianship after attaining age 16, and former foster care recipients between 18 and 21 years may receive services under the Chafee program. States or tribes that operate an extended foster care program for youth up to age 21 have the option to extend services under the Chafee program to youth up to their 23rd birthday.

Awards may be used to assist youth/young adults to make the transition to self-sufficiency; to receive education, training and related services; to prepare for and obtain employment; to prepare for and enter post-secondary training and educational institutions; to provide personal and emotional support to youth through mentors and the promotion of interactions with dedicated adults; and to provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education, other appropriate support and services to current and former foster care recipients up to the age of 21, or age 23 if the state or tribe operates an extended foster care program and opts to extend services; and to ensure that children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age have regular, on-going opportunities to engage in age or developmentally appropriate activities.

To receive funds, a recipient must submit a five-year plan and annual plan updates. Recipients must annually request to receive their allotments and must spend the funding in a two-year period, either the fiscal year it is received or in the succeeding fiscal year.

States and tribes meeting requirements for entitlement funds will receive grants.

Quarterly awards are made up to the amount of one-fourth of the state's annual allotment. Post award, the Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds.

The plan or its annual update is due on June 30th of each year.

The plan or its annual update is due June 30 of each year. Approval or disapproval by the Children's Bureau is completed by September 30th of each year.

There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals regarding disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.