Since July 1, 2012: | Since July 1, 2012The Young Adult Voluntary Services and Support Act (LB 216) was passed in the 2013 legislative session to create an age-appropriate, youth-focused, and voluntary program of services and support to age 21 for young people who age out of foster care. The program has since been titled Bridge to Independence. The Young Adult Voluntary Services and Support Act created an Advisory Committeeto make initial recommendations regarding implementation of the program and to provide ongoing oversight. The Advisory Committee, involving a wide variety of professionals and stakeholders, began meeting in July 2013. Six workgroups comprised of Advisory Committee members and other stakeholders were established to cover the following key areas of implementation:Policy, Eligibility, and Transition into the ProgramOutreach, Marketing and CommunicationsCase Management, Supportive Services and HousingCase OversightEvaluation and Data CollectionFiscal Monitoring Issues and State-Funded GuardianshipThe Advisory Committee reviewed recommendations from the six workgroups. Recommendations that were adopted by the Advisory Committee were included in a report to the Childrens Commission on November 19, 2013. The Childrens Commission accepted the Advisory Committees recommendations and submitted them to DHHS, the HHS Committee of the Legislature, and the Governor. The majorityof recommendations contained in the 2013 report have been adopted by DHHS or are still under consideration.IMPLEMENTATIONImplementation of the Bridge to Independence (B2i) program began on October 1, 2014. Staffing for the program includes two Supervisors and eleven Independence Coordinators. The Department has created many pathways to the B2i program. These pathways include: contacting the AbuseNeglect Hotline, the Bridge to Independence website, the young persons past or present caseworker or Project Everlast. All sources will lead to the website where the Young Adult can apply for the program. If a Young Adult prefers, the Department staff will complete an application with them in person or over the phone. DHHS staff give regular updates on implementation at Advisory Committee meetings. All indications are that implementation is going well and that the program is working as it was intended to work. Young people report having a great relationship with the Independence Coordinators and that they feel comfortable calling their Independence Coordinator when they need something. |