Foster Youth Mental Health Act of 2023

The Foster Youth Mental Health Act of 2023 establishes a national navigation program providing a 24-hour text line and toll-free hotline staffed by former foster youth and mental health experts. This service supports current and former foster youth (up to age 28), foster parents, kinship guardians, and adoptive parents in accessing mental health resources, housing, education, and substance use disorder services. It also requires states to dedicate at least 10% of their foster care mental health funding to develop comprehensive systems including peer specialists, trauma-informed staff training, privacy protections for mental health sessions, and continuity of care plans during placement changes or transitions out of foster care. The bill mandates states to evaluate program accessibility and increase outreach to underserved populations. The amendments take effect immediately for most states, with a 3-month delay for states needing legislative changes.