State officials hoping to raise age of emancipation for foster kids

YOUNGSTOWN

State Sen. Joseph Schiavoni and Mahoning County Children Services Board officials are urging enactment of state legislation that would raise the age of emancipation from 18 to 21 for those in foster care.

On Dec. 1, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 50, which would accomplish this goal, by a 91-2 vote.

That bill now moves to the Ohio Senate, where a similar companion bill, Senate Bill 240, also is pending.

The Senate possibly will consider the matter in January, said Schiavoni, D-33rd, of Boardman, the Senate minority leader.

“The goal is to create supportive programs and services to help these youth transition toward greater independence and self-sufficiency” to achieve healthy, safe and successful futures, said Jennifer Kollar, CSB’s public information officer.

Ohio statistics show those who “age out” of foster care face a high risk of homelessness, incarceration, unplanned pregnancy, insufficient education, dependency on public assistance and human trafficking, Kollar said.

About 1,000 Ohio youths age out of foster care each year at 18, with up to 3,000 of the state’s former foster youths potentially eligible for extended support.

Read more about the proposal in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.