Chafee Program

The Chafee Program helps young people learn skills to live independently after being in foster care. It gives extra support to become successful as an adult. You may qualify for the Chafee Program if you can answer "yes" to any of these questions:

  • Are you 14 to 21 years old and have lived in foster care or another type of group home or placement through the Division of Youth Services, even just for a day?
  • Did you age out of foster care when you were 18, 19, or 20? If so, you can still get help up to the age of 23.

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, the Chafee Program may be able to help you!

What is the Chafee Program

The City and County of Broomfield is dedicated to supporting foster youth beyond the foster care system. The Chafee Foster Care Independence Program helps youth successfully transition into adulthood by providing the skills and support necessary for self-sufficiency.

U.S. Senator John H. Chafee was a strong advocate for neglected and abused children and played a key role in sponsoring the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999. Today, the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) provides support to help current and former foster youth achieve self-sufficiency. Grants are awarded to states and tribal nations that present plans aimed at assisting youth in areas crucial for a successful transition to adulthood.

The goal of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program is to ensure that all current and former foster youth within the United States are actively supported throughout their transition to adulthood. This includes supplemental programming and funding to assist in all areas of independent living including:

  • Assistance in achieving a high school diploma or GED.
  • Support in continuing education through FAFSA, ETV, scholarships, and school applications, and establishing permanent connections
  • Assistance accessing necessary medical, dental and mental health providers, as well as connecting with community and governmental resources 
  • Housing resources
  • Opportunities to participate in pro-social events and activities
  • Engagement in programs like Metro Youth Alliance
  • Aftercare services following child welfare case closure
  • Comprehensive sexual health education
  • Development of critical thinking, decision-making and financial literacy skills
  • Support in acquiring job skills, training and employment opportunities

Program Requirements:

Interested participants must be willing to engage with the Chafee caseworker regularly, including monthly face-to-face meetings, and be actively working to achieve goals related to independent living as a young adult. Youth must have been in foster care or out of home placement within the United States on or after their 14th birthday and must provide documentation if they were in foster care outside of Colorado; detention within the Department of Youth Services (DYS) does not count. Though the age limit to apply for the Chafee Program is 21 years of age, youth can receive services in Chafee up to their 23rd birthday, and there is no cost to the participant for any of these services.

How to Sign Up:

If you reside in Broomfield and would like to engage with Chafee services, contact Valarie Aparicio at vaparicio@broomfield.org or 720-703-4259. For further information on the Chafee Program or other services, please refer to the state’s FAQ page.