Health and Mental Health

Teenage youth adopted from foster care generally qualify for Medicaid coverage to age 18.

Medicaid covers medical, dental and mental health services.

Medicaid can transfer to any other state in the United States.

Financial Adoption Monthly Subsidy

Monthly financial subsidy is based on the youth’s needs and helps with the costs of raising a teenager. It is generally less than the amount paid for youth in foster care.

Post-Secondary Education

Youth adopted at age 13 years and older are eligible for federal Pell grants that pay tuition expenses, and often for books or other expenses. Application for FAFSA (Federal Assistance for Financial Student Aid, i.e., Pell grant) will be based on the student’s own income. They do not have to disclose their adoptive parent’s income. Pell grants are based on income eligibility and disbursed through the financial aid office of the college or training institute. The Pell grant pays tuition expenses, and if there is any left over, it is disbursed to the student for books or other expenses.

Adopting a youth 14 years old and older could have all the benefits of adopting a youth 13 years and older plus…

Transition to Adult Living Services

Basic Life Skills classes (Milestone Classes) – the same that are available for youth in foster care. Classes are geared for youth ages 14 and older. Classes are dependent on availability (adopted youth do not qualify for the financial incentives). Contact the Transition to Adult Living person in the region in which you reside.

Adopting a youth 16 years old and older could have all the benefits of adopting a youth 13 or 14 years and older plus funding for post-secondary education.

Education Training Voucher (ETV) - Available through the Dept. of Workforce Sevices' WIOA program. Youth who meet ETV qulaifications can receive educational assistance until their 26th birthday. An eligible youth may receive up to $5,000 per state fiscal year for tuition, room and board, books, a computer, and other costs of education, actual award is based upon need.

Olene S. Walker Transition to Adult Living Scholarship - The scholarship is designed to assist qualified youth who are transitioning out of state foster care to complete a post-secondary education program (degree or certificate) at one of the Utah System of Higher Education institutions. The scholarship is sponsored by private donors in partnership with Utah Educational Savings Plan.
Selection: applicants will be selected based on their strong desire to complete a post-secondary program of study, Potential for academic success, and financial need. Students who are awarded the scholarship are required to participate in extra-curriculat activities and meet regularly with a mentor.
Scholarship Amount: The maximun yearly scholarship award is $5,000 for a full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours), $3,750 for three quarters-time enrollment (9-11 hours), and $2,500 for part-time enrollment (6-8 hours). The scholarship maybe renewed each semester with a review of an updated application to determine the youth has been making satisfactory progress.

AfterCare Funding - there may be funding to support transitional expenses for youth ages 18 to 23 (Housing, transportation, employment, education). Contact the Transition to Adult Living person in your region for more details.

Utah JOB CORPS is a program for youth 16-25 years old who want to complete their GED and receive job training while living on a JOB CORP campus.

Benefits for Adopting an Older Youth