Senators Announce Caucus on Foster Youth Panel Discussion on Homelessness

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 12, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, leaders of the Caucus on Foster Youth, today announced a panel discussion on homelessness among foster youth. Homelessness and unstable housing are serious problems for the approximately 23,000 youth who age out of the foster care system each year. The panel discussion will take place on Friday, May 15, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. in 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building (Judiciary Committee Hearing Room).

This is the second panel discussion Grassley and Stabenow will have hosted during National Foster Care Month. A panel discussion last week focused on promoting policies that allow grandparents or other family members to care for foster youth. A third panel discussion in the works will focus on trauma-informed care.

Details of Friday’s panel discussion on homelessness follow. The event is open to congressional staff, the public and the media.

Friday, May 15, 2015
10:30 am
Senate Dirksen 226 (Judiciary Hearing Room)
Homelessness
Approximately 23,000 youth age out of the foster care system each year. Of these youth, approximately 11-36% become homeless, while another 25-50% experience unstable housing. For youth who age out of the foster care system, finding reliable and secure housing is one of their biggest challenges. Many find themselves homeless, on the street, or couch surfing. While the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act was created to help foster youth transition to adulthood and independent living, foster youth still face economic challenges and homelessness. This event will be an open forum for advocates, child welfare organizations, and congressional staff to learn about and discuss the challenges foster youth face with finding housing.