ATLANTA (November 24, 2025)— The Senate Study Committee on Additional Services and Resources for Transition Age Youth in Foster Care, chaired by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R–Marietta), has adopted its final report, outlining targeted recommendations to strengthen outcomes for Georgia youth preparing to transition from foster care into adulthood.
Created by Senate Resolution 310 during the 2025 Legislative Session, the committee conducted five months of hearings with state agencies, service providers, public housing authorities, education leaders, nonprofits, and young adults with lived experience in foster care. Testimony highlighted the unique challenges faced by older foster youth, including unstable housing, limited workforce readiness and inconsistent access to mental and behavioral health supports.
“Our charge was to look closely at what’s working, where gaps remain and what more our state can do to support young people aging out of care,” said Sen. Kirkpatrick. “This committee heard powerful testimony from experts and from youth themselves. Their stories made clear that improving stability and ensuring continuity in education and employment services can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. I’m grateful to everyone who shared their expertise and experiences throughout this process. These recommendations offer a roadmap to better support Georgia’s transition age youth and help them enter adulthood prepared for success.”
The committee’s recommendations focus on four primary areas: housing stability, educational continuity, workforce readiness, and support for youth with complex needs. Key recommendations include convening state and federal partners to improve participation in the Foster Youth to Independence housing voucher program; ensuring school districts comply with enrollment and credit transfer requirements; expanding supports for postsecondary students, including full funding for the Georgia Foster Care Scholarship; strengthening partnerships with the Technical College System of Georgia to address employment barriers; and expanding autism screening, treatment access, and reimbursement structures to better serve youth with complex behavioral health needs.
The committee also recommends improving statewide awareness of the Fostering Success Tax Credit, enhancing transition planning through better use of technology and coordinated wraparound supports, and collaborating with federal partners to fully leverage new resources made available through national foster care initiatives.
You can find the full committee report here.
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Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick serves as Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Children and Families. She represents the 32nd Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties. She may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0508 or by email at Kay.Kirkpatrick@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please contact SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.