The Governor threatened to make this cut last year as well — taking kids out of DCYF care at age 18 instead of 21. Something tells me he won’t get away with this one this year either, but if you would like to make your voice heard on this issue, feel free to join The Poverty Institute and Oneri.org at a rally in the Statehouse Rotunda on Tuesday, February 13, at 3 pm. Here are the details:
The Governor’s budget includes a proposal to eliminate services to youth in DCYF care at age 18 instead of 21. As you know, these young adults have often faced difficult life circumstances and need ongoing support as they transition to adulthood.
We ask you to join us Tuesday February 13th at 3:00pm in the State House Rotunda for an important RALLY to protest the cuts being made to youth in DCYF care.
For more information call Lisa Guillette 401-438-3900 or 401-431-0557
You may accuse me of being self-serving for my concern on this issue. Accuse away. The bottom line is that I can think of a whole bunch of older kids right now, some in foster care, some in independent living, some in group homes, who will be at tremendous risk if we throw them off health insurance and tell them to go get a job at McDonald’s and find a way to pay the rent.
Agreed: that extremely high-functioning orphans should be given every opportunity to support themselves and pay their own health insurance if they can find a job that provides some. But there are many teenagers for whom this is just unrealistic. Most young adults rely on their parents for some health care and financial assistance. In this regard, older children in state care are no different.
Kmareka.com 
How many of us were completely self-sufficient at age 18? Where would we be if we had been sent out into the world with no support? The governor likes to make his religious beliefs public, especially at election time. In practice, he’s giving tax breaks to his rich constituency and cutting off funds to the most disadvantaged children as soon as they cross the line into adulthood. If Jesus had such political sense he would have had a cushy job with the Romans.
i am one of the many in state care, and this money that we would be recieving would pay for our education and housing. for some like myself, school has been the only thing keeping me out of trouble. by cutting our funds, i would not be able to attend college. personally i want to be an educator and help other children experiance the wonders of learning. however, without the funding, that just is not possable for me. i wanted to help make a difference in this world, but i need the funds to do so. at the state house, i saw several signs but one that really stuck out for me was one that said something along the lines of ‘Gov. Carcieri, if you cut the budget, i’ll have no home- can i come home with you?’
Hi Allison,
Thanks very much for your comment. You cut straight to the heart of why this budget is wrong. I hope you do become a teacher — you understand why education is so important, in your description of “the wonders of learning.” We are deserve the opportunity to experience the wonders of the world that come from learning and higher education.