C.R.S. Section 26-5-100.2
Legislative declaration

(1)

The general assembly finds and declares that:

(a)

Each year, for a variety of reasons, more than three hundred youth, ages eighteen to twenty-one, exit Colorado’s foster care system without a permanent home or a stable support network;

(b)

These youth do not have the same safety nets, supportive adults, and support networks as do other youth their age;

(c)

Many of these youth will face challenges as they search for affordable housing, pursue higher education or training, search for employment, manage tight budgets, take care of their health needs, and much more;

(d)

Youth in foster care face not only the typical developmental changes and new experiences that are common to youth their age but also the dramatic change from being under the county’s care to being on their own, many without any supportive adults or safety net to help them succeed;

(e)

The array of services and supports available to youth while in the foster care system, including housing, food, medical care, and caseworker support, disappear as soon as the youth exits foster care. Additionally, many of these youth are dealing with the long-term consequences of trauma related to the abuse, neglect, removal, and overall lack of resources that they may have experienced.

(f)

By leveraging the expertise of youth who have successfully made the transition to adulthood, as well as experts in the field, many states have developed creative approaches to address the needs of these youth;

(g)

Colorado can start addressing the needs of youth by allowing counties to use existing child welfare money to provide continued supportive services for youth who exit the foster care system; and

(h)

Although existing child welfare money may enable the state to provide services to some youth, it is insufficient to address all the need, nor is it available consistently across the state.

(2)

Therefore, the general assembly determines that by coupling the short-term approach of using existing child welfare money with the creation of a steering committee tasked with developing a long-term implementation plan for services for a successful adulthood for youth who were formerly in the state’s foster care system, the state can better meet the needs of youth who are making the transition from the foster care system to successful adulthood.

Source: Section 26-5-100.2 — Legislative declaration, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-26.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

26‑5‑100.2
Legislative declaration 26‑5‑101
Definitions 26‑5‑102
Provision of child welfare services - system reform goals - out-of-home placements for children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities - reporting - rules - definition 26‑5‑103
Coordination with other programs 26‑5‑103.5
Child welfare allocations committee - organization - duties - funding model - definition - repeal 26‑5‑103.7
Child welfare allocations funding model - evaluation group - report - definitions - repeal 26‑5‑104
Funding of child welfare services provider contracts - funding mechanism review - fund - report - rules - definitions - repeal 26‑5‑105
Reimbursement procedure 26‑5‑105.3
Federal waivers 26‑5‑105.5
State department integrated care management program - county performance agreements - authorized - performance incentive cash fund created - repeal 26‑5‑107
Limitations of article 26‑5‑108
Developmental assessment - rules 26‑5‑109
Child welfare training academy established - rules 26‑5‑110
Guardianship assistance program - legislative declaration - eligibility - rules 26‑5‑111
Statewide child abuse reporting hotline system - legislative declaration - definitions - child abuse hotline steering committee - rules on consistent processes in response to reports and inquiries for information 26‑5‑113
Extended services for former foster care youth 26‑5‑114
Former foster care youth steering committee - implementation plan - recommendations - report 26‑5‑115
Acquisition of drivers’ licenses by individuals in foster care - immunity from liability - rules 26‑5‑116
Fostering educational opportunities for youth in foster care program - creation - report 26‑5‑117
Out-of-home placement for children and youth with mental or behavioral needs - funding - report - rules - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 26-5-100.2’s source at colorado​.gov