Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act

This bill seeks to improve outcomes for youth transitioning out of foster care by providing an incentive for states to extend support and services. It amends the Social Security Act to allow states to provide foster care payments and services to eligible youth up to 22 years of age, at the state's election, including those who had adoption or kinship guardianship assistance agreements after age 16. A significant provision is the removal of the requirement for parents' or guardians' AFDC eligibility for these extended services, making more youth eligible for continued support.

Furthermore, the legislation mandates that states opting into extended foster care must permit and facilitate the voluntary re-entry of youth aged 18 to 21 into the system. The Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with providing guidance and technical assistance to states on best practices for outreach to both newly eligible and re-entering youth. Additionally, the bill requires HHS, in consultation with the Department of Labor, to develop guidance connecting these youth to workforce development programs.