Resolve, To Provide a Better Transition for Foster Children to Independent Adulthood
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1047
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: BERRY, KATZ, EVES, FARNSWORTH, GATTINE, GRAHAM, SANBORN, TURNER, CRAVEN

Legislative Document 
No. 1047 
H.P. 738 
House of Representatives, March 14, 2013 
Resolve, To Provide a Better Transition for Foster Children to 
Independent Adulthood 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham. 
Cosponsored by Senator KATZ of Kennebec and 
Representatives: Speaker EVES of North Berwick, FARNSWORTH of Portland, GATTINE of 
Westbrook, GRAHAM of North Yarmouth, McCABE of Skowhegan, SANBORN of Gorham, 
TURNER of Burlington, Senator: CRAVEN of Androscoggin. 
Sec. 1.  Review and analysis.  Resolved:  That the Commissioner of Health and 
Human Services shall conduct a review and analysis of youth transition services under 
the Department of Health and Human Services' foster care program.  The review and 
analysis must: 
1.  Prior 10 years.  Identify and analyze youth transition services provided over the 
years preceding the review to persons in the foster care program from 15 to 18 years 
of age to facilitate the transition of those persons from foster care to independent 
adulthood and the extent to which persons transitioning to independent adulthood have 
participated in a voluntary extended support agreement, referred to in this resolve as a 
"V9 agreement," to extend the availability of support beyond 18 years of age; 
2.  Process for review and analysis.  Accomplish the following: 
A.  Identify measurable outcomes for persons in the foster care program, including 
persons covered by a V9 agreement; 
B.  Determine the extent to which outcomes have been met over the 10-year period of 
analysis; 
C.  Analyze the extent to which persons in the foster care program making the 
transition to independent adulthood use the V9 agreement to extend their opportunity 
to receive extended placement and other support past 18 years of age to continue their 
education or meet their vocational or health needs; 
D.  Review recent reports on the foster care program, including reports completed 
both within the program and by outside reviewers; and 
E.  Provide an opportunity to comment on the subjects of the review under this 
resolve and to make recommendations for inclusion in the report under section 2 for 
members of the public, persons receiving foster care services and support under a V9 
agreement and providers of education and other services to persons in the foster care 
program; and 
3.  Identification of system strengths and needs for improvement.  Identify 
strengths of the youth transition services system and where policy and administrative 
changes are needed to improve the transition of persons in the foster care program to 
independent adulthood, including participation in the workforce, and to increase 
participation in V9 agreements; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Report; legislation.  Resolved:  That the Commissioner of Health and 
Human Services shall submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and 
Human Services by January 15, 2014 containing the results of its review and analysis 
under section 1 and providing recommendations to improve services for persons in the 
foster care program making the transition to independent adulthood, including the V9 
agreement system.  The committee may submit a bill regarding the report to the Second 
Regular Session of the 126th Legislature. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to review and 
analyze services for persons in foster care making the transition to independent 
adulthood, including services provided under a voluntary extended support agreement, 
also known as a V9 agreement.  The commissioner is required to submit a report 
containing the results of the review and analysis to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services by January 15, 2014, and the committee is authorized to 
submit a bill regarding the report to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.