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Resolve, To Provide a Better Transition for Foster Children to Independent Adulthood
Sec. 1 Review and analysis. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall conduct a review and analysis of youth transition services under the Department of Health and Human Services' foster care program. The review and analysis must:
1. Prior 10 years. Identify and analyze youth transition services provided over the 10 years preceding the review to persons in the foster care program from 15 to 18 years of age to facilitate the transition of those persons from foster care to independent adulthood and the extent to which persons transitioning to independent adulthood have participated in a voluntary extended support agreement, referred to in this resolve as a "V9 agreement," to extend the availability of support beyond 18 years of age;
2. Process for review and analysis. Accomplish the following:
A. Identify measurable outcomes for persons in the foster care program, including persons covered by a V9 agreement;
B. Determine the extent to which outcomes have been met over the 10-year period of analysis;
C. Analyze the extent to which persons in the foster care program making the transition to independent adulthood use the V9 agreement to extend their opportunity to receive extended placement and other support past 18 years of age to continue their education or meet their vocational or health needs;
D. Review recent reports on the foster care program, including reports completed both within the program and by outside reviewers; and
E. Provide an opportunity to comment on the subjects of the review under this resolve and to make recommendations for inclusion in the report under section 2 for members of the public, persons receiving foster care services and support under a V9 agreement and providers of education and other services to persons in the foster care program; and
3. Identification of system strengths and needs for improvement. Identify strengths of the youth transition services system and where policy and administrative changes are needed to improve the transition of persons in the foster care program to independent adulthood, including participation in the workforce, and to increase participation in V9 agreements; and be it further
Sec. 2 Report; legislation. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by January 15, 2014 containing the results of its review and analysis under section 1 and providing recommendations to improve services for persons in the foster care program making the transition to independent adulthood, including the V9 agreement system. The committee may submit a bill regarding the report to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.
 
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to review and analyze services for persons in foster care making the transition to independent adulthood, including services provided under a voluntary extended support agreement, also known as a V9 agreement. The commissioner is required to submit a report containing the results of the review and analysis to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by January 15, 2014, and the committee is authorized to submit a bill regarding the report to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.