Extension to age 21
Transition (aging out)
Well-being

Older Youth Pandemic Relief: State Spotlights Implementation in Hawai'i

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On July 7th, 2021, FosterClub and Youth Law Center hosted a state spotlight webinar with Child Welfare service providers and advocates focused on implementing the older youth provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act.

In this webinar, we heard from several Hawai'i leaders:

  • Mitchell Odo, Director of Youth Serving Activities at EPIC Ohana, Inc. 
  • Lynne Kazama, Child Welfare Services Assistant Program Administrator
  • Tiffany Bader, Pandemic Relief Lead
  • Patricia Duh, Pono Process Lead at EPIC Ohana, Inc. 

Hawai'i leaders shared details on providing extended services, direct cash assistance, ETV, communication and outreach and engaging young people in their implementation process.  They shared aboutthe impact of youth engagement - ensuring that young people were not only consulted, but also at the table as co-designers and as peer navigators, assisting fellow youth in connecting to resources.

This webinar aims to provide examples and tools for implementing the older youth provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act in your state or jurisdiction and the importance of engaging and incorporating youth with lived experience in the implementation process. 

View the webinar recording here > > >

Download the slides >>> 



RESOURCES FROM WEBINAR: 

  1. Hawai'i developed a survey for young people to apply for the Foster Youth Pandemic Payment (FYPP). View the survey here.
  2. Check out Hawaii's town hall led by and held for youth in February of 2021.
  3. Review this brief video created to educate young people and stakeholders on the emergency support available under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
  4. Visit Hawai'i partner websites:
    1. Epic Ohana Pandemic Relief: https//www.epicohana.org/youthpandemicsupport
    2. One-Stop Shop for Current/Former Foster Youth: www.shakatown.com

Visit fosterclub.com/oypr for a library of resources, tools to support your implementation and federal program instruction from the Children's Bureau, and summaries of the Older Youth provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act.

The Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act (H.R. 7947) became law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act on December 27, 2020 (PL 116-260). This law is intended to bring significant emergency relief to young people in and from foster care. Young people in and from care were instrumental in the passage of this law, and young people must be involved in the implementation process. 

Would you like to highlight your state's or jurisdiction's implementation in our next webinar? Please send us a message at [email protected]

Reach out to [email protected] for questions about this webinar or implementation.