m, andcooperative and collaborative efforts among agencies. Otherthan these basic requirements, states have tremendousflexibility in designing and delivering independent livingservices. Many states’ independent living programs varywidely across counties and cities as well. Programs in eachstate vary according to how social services areadministered, i.e., centrally, through a state department orsocial services, or locally, through a county administeredsystem. The presence of state Independent LivingCoordinators and state-wide Independent Living AdvisoryCommittees facilitates the sharing of program strategies andfosters consistency in program implementation.Federal funds were not to be used to provide room andboard to youth participating in the independent livingprogram; residential services or other housing assistancewere provided through other funding sources. For example,in many states, residential placements and subsidizedindependent living services were paid through Title IV-Efoster care maintenance funds or other state funds (Cook,1991).On May 6th 1999, Congresswomen Nancy L. Johnson (R-CT),Chairman, Subcommittee on Human Resources of the Committeeon Ways and Means introduced bill H.R. 3443. The bill wasintroduced to assist States in strengthening and expandingprograms for youth emancipating from foster care to helpthem establish independent living (Committee on Ways andMeans, 1999). In a flurry of activity prior to adjournment, Congressapproved legislation to provide additional supports to youngpeople aging out of foster care. The Foster CareIndependence Act, now recorded as H.R. 3443 was approved bythe House on November 18, and then by just minutes beforethe Senate adjourned for the year on November 19. The finalversion of the Foster Care Independence Act includeslanguage from the bill (H.R. 1802) passed by the House inJune. The revised bill also has new provisions reflectinginput from the Senate. On December 14, 19...
