BALTIMORE - Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin announced today that Maryland will receive an additional $2 million in federal funds
to help foster care youths between ages18 to 21 complete their education or vocational training, find jobs and learn daily living
skills. 

Rep. Cardin sponsored the recently enacted Foster Care Independence Act, which doubles the funding provided to states to
help them improve their Independent Living Programs and serve older foster children who are aging out of the system. The Act
increases grants to the states by $70 million a year, and for the first time, allows states to provide housing assistance to foster
kids over age 18. The legislation also encourages states to provide financial and employment services, counseling, education
and other services to older foster children. 

"Independent Living Programs provide services to foster care children who lack the support of family as they enter the critical
years of young adulthood," said Rep. Cardin. "The state is the de facto parent of a foster child, and no parent abandons their
teenager when he or she turns 18. We have a responsibility to help them make a successful transition to adulthood." 

Many states stop all support for foster care children when they reach age 18. Follow up studies of young people exiting from
foster care report that without additional support services:      

• only about half complete high school; 

• approximately 25% experience periods of homelessness; 

• less than half are employed; 

Currently, Maryland has approximately 1,800 foster care youths participating in Independent Living Programs. The State
Department of Human Resources projects the additional funding will be used to: provide additional job readiness, education,
health and life skills services; establish a pilot program that will provide participants with a computer and computer training;
provide better training for staff; and develop partnerships with Maryland businesses that will benefit program participants. 

"Our goal is to encourage excellence in our young people and prepare them for a bright future as independent, successful
adults," said Lynda G. Fox, Secretary, Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR). "This funding will assist foster care
parents, adoptive parents and other providers of services in their efforts to ensure that young people have a successful life and
achieve their educational career goals." 

"Independent Living for foster care youth in Maryland embraces the concept of positive youth development. The goal is clear --
to assist youth in Maryland's foster care system to develop into responsible and productive members of society," said Patrick
Patrong, Maryland Independent Living Coordinator, DHR.