WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Co-Chair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, today hosted a caucus event to discuss ways to support foster children’s successful transition into adulthood. Grassley delivered remarks on his foster care policy priorities, including efforts to improve the Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood, as well as foster parent recruitment and retention.
Iowan Melanie Lord spoke about the state’s implementation of foster care programs, including the Chafee program. Lord serves as Foster Care Transition Program manager for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Click HERE for video of the event.
Download photos HERE.
Prepared Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Co-Chair, Senate Caucus on Foster Youth
“Policy Discussion on Transitions to Adulthood for Older Youth”
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
For over a decade, the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth has hosted discussions to understand the barriers foster youth face. Our discussions have spanned several topics, including access to education, parental support and more.
Today, we are discussing older youth’s transition to adulthood and how the Chafee program is used to assist with that transition.
Last year, after learning that some states have been returning Chafee dollars, I asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine how states are using the program.
In January, GAO published that report.
While the report did conclude that Chafee dollars are being returned, it provided some explanation that I believe is worth exploring. For example, insights into the challenges that states may face when administering the program were provided.
Additionally, the report provided some discussion on the unmet needs of older youth in foster care and how youth are incorporated into their transition planning.
I expect that this GAO report will be a helpful resource moving forward, including with our conversation today.
Now, I’d like to introduce two individuals who are able to speak about what the administration of the Chafee program can look like and the importance of the program from a recipient perspective.
We have with us today an Iowan, Melanie Lord, who is the Foster Care Transition Program manager for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Melanie has 17 years of experience in various roles within the Iowa Division of Family Wellbeing and Protection.
Ivy Smith is also here with us. Ivy entered the foster care system in Idaho at age 13. She studied at Boise State in Idaho, where her capstone project led to changes for Idaho’s foster care system. Ivy now works with Idaho Voices for Children.
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