INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Two new Indiana laws are aimed at helping foster children who age out of the system without finding a permanent home or being reunited with their families.
The Journal Gazette reports that one of the new laws allows these 18-year-olds to automatically remain on Medicaid until age 26. That measure requires the Family and Social Services Administration to enroll the foster children before they age out and removes the requirement that they reapply every year.
The other law makes it easier for foster youth to get a driver’s license. Republican Sen. Andy Zay of Huntington, who proposed the legislation, says a driver’s license is important to give the kids the normalcy of getting a job, going to after-school activities or out on dates.
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I applaud this legislation. As a former foster kid, life was awkward enough, ($200 per year for clothes and shoes, 1989) but not having a driver’s licence further marginalized me from my peers. The big question will be insurance…not being able to tag on a parent’s policy means premiums will be a week’s full time wage per month. Most, (like I did) will drive without it.
Life is really tough for these kids folks. More often than not, they get tied in with a bad crowd…in part because they cant participate in extra-curriculars…who’s going to drive them home? And working, I remember walking two miles each way to a car wash for work. It sucked, but being in a crowded group home with no money was far worse. Well done Mr Zay!