H.R. 7995 — CONNECT Act

This section revises the purposes of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood under section 477(a) of the Social Security Act by striking the existing paragraph (2), redesignating subsequent paragraphs, and inserting two new purposes: (1) helping youth who have experienced foster care at age 14 or older develop and maintain sustained supportive relationships with adults (including kin or fictive kin), mentors, and peers to reduce isolation and build lifelong connections; and (2) supporting such youth in exercising rights under section 475A to participate in permanency planning and access related services, peer support, mentoring, and referrals. The amendments take effect 1 year after the date of enactment. This section also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, after consulting youth with lived experience in foster care, to issue guidance to States and Tribal child welfare agencies within 1 year after enactment on eligible services and supports, best practices for mentoring and peer support (including minimum qualifications and training), outreach and notification standards for eligible youth, and documentation protocols for case plans.