Appropriates $200,000 for FY 2006-2007 to the Department of Human Services, Office of Youth Services Former Foster Child Assistance Program to assist former foster children between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four in job placement, skills training, education, and housing.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that each year approximately one hundred twenty-five foster children reach the age of adulthood and leave the foster care system losing benefits and much-needed assistance, many facing the risk of homelessness. There is an at-risk gap group of young adults that has been identified which encompasses those post-foster care recipients who are between the ages of eighteen to twenty-four as being at the greatest risk and in need of further assistance, job placement, skills training, education, and housing.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of human services, office of youth services to establish a program to provide assistance to former Hawaii foster children in need of assistance who fall into this gap group. All funds will be under the direction of the office of youth services' executive director. The director shall use these funds to provide assistance and administrative support to former foster children between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four in the state of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 to provide assistance through the department of human services, office of youth services, to former foster children between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four in the areas of job placement, skills training, education, and housing.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services, office of youth services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.