State Pages

Maryland

view another state

State Coordinator

Maryland Department of Human Services
Jeffrey O'Donnell
State Independent Living Coordinator
311 West Saratoga Street
5th Floor, Room 556
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 767-7171
Fax: (410) 333-0922
Email: JOdonnel@dhr.state.md.us

State's Chafee Mission Statement

The mission of the Department is to aggressively pursue opportunities to assist people in economic need, provide prevention services, and protect vulnerable children and adults.

Who is eligible for Chafee services?

Youth ages 14 up to their 21st birthday that reside in Out-of-Home Care/Placement are eligible for services. Also, youth that exited care after their 18th birthday up to their 21st birthday are eligible for After Care Services. Maryland also has Extended Aftercare Services which allows a youth who left care after their 18th birthday, but prior to age 21, to re-enter the system for the purpose of the local department funding an approved living arrangement.

What is the state's definition of room and board?

The definition of Room and Board includes the costs of rent, security deposits, some semi independent living arrangements, and assistance provided for youth in After Care status that require the same assistance. Funds are approved on an individual basis to assist youth with expenses for utility costs and furnishings.

Maximum age that youth may remain in state funded foster care

No additional information is available.

Under what conditions can a youth remain in state funded foster care beyond 18?

If youth has documented special needs, is employed, and/or enrolled in a formal education program.

Does the state have an approved plan to extend Title IV-E (Federal foster care) beyond 18?

Yes

Age of extension: 21

Conditions used to extend title IV-E foster care:

Secondary Education: Yes
Postsecondary Education: Yes
Barriers to Employment: Yes
Employed 80 Hours: Yes
Incapable of Activities: Yes

Is the Extended Medicaid Option available for youth until 21?

Yes

The State of Maryland’s Medical Assistance Program provides Medicaid for youth who left care after age 18 but are not yet 21. The Foster Care Coverage Act became effective on October 1, 2009. This program is state monitored, county administered.

Foster youth are eligible for this program if; they left foster care after age 18, are younger than age 21, their annual household income is up to 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, and they are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid benefits. Eligible youth will continue to receive coverage until their 21^st birthday. Foster youth who remain in care until age 21 receive medical assistance.