WASHINGTON -- Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin, leading Democrat on the Committee on Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee, commended the House of Representatives for its overwhelming passage in a 380-6 vote of the Foster Care Independence Act. Rep. Cardin authored this legislation along with Human Resources Subcommittee Chair Nancy Johnson in an effort to expand benefits through the Independent Living Program (ILP) to serve foster care children as they make the transition to adulthood.

"When it comes to helping our children, we can and must put partisan bickering aside," Rep. Cardin said. "In passing this bipartisan measure, the House has recognized that these young people have no parent to turn to for help in the critical early years of adulthood. If the government does not step in, no one will."

The Johnson-Cardin bill would double the amount of ILP funding from $70 million a year to $140 million a year to expand services to 18 to 21-year-olds. States would be required to provide a 20% match to receive their full share of the $140 million in annual funding for the new ILP. The new legislation also would encourage states to provide Medicaid coverage to former foster children between ages 18 and 21. The bill includes bipartisan provisions that save money so that, overall, it would not affect the budget debate.

The legislation also will provide states with the flexibility and the additional resources they need to serve both younger and older children in foster care. For younger children still in foster care, states could use ILP funds to provide assistance in obtaining a high school diploma, post-secondary education, career exploration, vocational training, job placement, training in daily living skills, training in budget management and substance abuse services.

For older youths (18 and 21-years-old) who have left foster care, states could use their ILP money to provide housing assistance as well as financial and employment services, counseling, education and other "appropriate support and services."