New Federal Law Provides Funding to States That Start Driver’s License Program

Embrace Families is pleased to announce the recently enacted COVID Relief Package included a provision that will bring newfound independence for thousands of youth in foster care by making it easier for them to obtain a driver’s license. The provision was based on Keys to Independence, a Florida program developed by Embrace Families, the lead nonprofit organization overseeing child welfare services in Central Florida, in partnership with the Florida Department of Children & Families (DCF).

“A driver’s license is more than a rite of passage – the ability to drive to work and school teaches teens responsibility and self-sufficiency,” said Glen Casel, president and CEO of Embrace Families. “It also allows them to participate in activities they might miss out on because of a lack of transportation. It can change their life.”

In 2014, Florida lawmakers approved designating state funds to help foster parents, group homes and teens navigate the process of vehicle insurance coverage and pay for costs, driver’s education classes, testing and license fees, as well as practice lessons. At the time, fewer than 20 foster youth had a Florida driver’s license or learner’s permit. Since then, as a result of Keys to Independence, more than 800 teens in foster care have become licensed drivers and 1,600 learner’s permits have been issued.

The new policy will allow federal funds to support assisting youth in foster care to obtain a driver’s license and reserves funds to provide technical support for other states to develop programs similar to Keys to Independence.

Last May, Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced comprehensive legislation, “The Foster Youth and Driving Act”, that aimed to establish a federal program to support foster youth in obtaining a driver’s license.

“It is critical that we provide resources to ensure that foster youth can fully engage in age-appropriate activities, such as driving,” Davis says. “I am proud that, working across the aisle, we were able to secure a provision in the COVID relief legislation that will help foster

youth obtain their licenses and cover key driving-related expenses during the pandemic. The bipartisan bill we lead establishes comprehensive programs to facilitate foster youth obtaining driver’s licenses. Foster youth deserve to experience the joy of passing their driving tests, as well as the personal and professional opportunities that driving affords.” 

“Getting a driver’s license is a key milestone for youth making the transition into adulthood,” says Rep. Bacon. “It helps young people secure and maintain employment, participate in after-school activities and engage with friends. I am pleased that Congress included a bipartisan provision to support foster youth obtain a driver’s license. This critical provision will go a long way, and I plan to continue my efforts to improve foster youth’s access to driver licenses in this new session of Congress.” For more information about Embrace Families and its programs, visit www.EmbraceFamilies.org.