WARWICK, RI – October 11, 2011 – Joined by foster care youth, parents and advocates at the Rhode Island Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF), Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) credited their efforts to raise awareness about the high rate of identity theft among children in state care as a critical factor in his successful campaign to enact a law protecting this especially vulnerable population. Langevin’s proposals, which were included in the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act recently signed by President Obama, mandate free credit checks for foster youth over 16 years old before they age out of the system, and require that they receive assistance in clearing inaccuracies from their records.

“As I saw firsthand when my parents welcomed foster youth into our home, they already face tremendous obstacles without the increased threat of having their identity taken and their credit ruined, which prevents them from finding a place to live and accessing other basic needs when they age out of the system,” said Langevin, who initially introduced the identity theft provisions as part of his Foster Youth Financial Security Act. “I want to thank all of you here today for the work you do on behalf of our foster children and youth in Rhode Island. Without your advocacy, this celebration would not be possible.” 

The importance of the law was conveyed by the attendees who made remarks at today’s celebration, including: RI DCYF Director Janice DeFrances; Lisa Guillette, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association; Dee Saint Franc, 21, who had her identity stolen while in foster care; and foster parent Matt Cullina, who heads the company CyberScout and has done research into the risk facing foster children. 

The Congressman stressed that this victory represents only the beginning of a broad effort to give foster youth the tools they need and deserve to succeed. The next step is effective implementation of the law that passed and Langevin said he would monitor the process closely. The Department of Health and Human Services is currently working on guidance for state agencies, while the Federal Trade Commission is partnering with the Department of Education, HHS and the IRS to provide pertinent information to states, parents and students. 

“We have seen from a credit check pilot project in California’s foster care system that an efficient system can be devised at minimal cost,” said Langevin. “I am confident that we can make this work nationwide, but we must collaborate with successful advocacy groups that understand the circumstances facing our foster youth and can work with government entities to effectively implement this and other improvements to our foster care system.” 

Langevin emphasized that partnerships with organizations like the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association (RIFPA) will be vital in building on the law and promoting financial stability among foster youth. RIFPA, which is part of the national Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, has illustrated one example of productive collaboration by making Rhode Island one of the first states to execute an individual development account (IDA) program and by demonstrating the benefits in a way that allowed DCYF to help with funding. The accounts, started with $100 in seed money, ensure foster youth can afford essential needs and build assets over time. Youth can match for education and transportation expenses, investment opportunities (e.g., stocks, 401(k), CDs, etc.), and assistance with security deposits and housing down payments when they leave state care. 

At the event, RIFPA’s Guillette announced Rhode Island’s success in helping to create a national model for this initiative by setting up IDA’s with local banks for 560 foster youth across the state and tracking the results, with youth saving and matching for $500,000 worth of assets.

IDA’s were among a number of future recommendations Langevin outlined, which were also part of his original foster youth bill. In addition, he advocated for ending the use of Social Security numbers as an identifier for foster children as well as providing them with financial literacy tools and information about housing and educational opportunities.