Assemblyman Leno announces funding boost
for college-bound foster youth

Leno's bill to give foster youth the support they need to graduate college, receives funding in State Budget

From the Office of Assemblyman Mark Leno

July 14, 2006

SACRAMENTO- At the San Francisco Independent Living Skills Center yesterday, a diverse group of foster care advocates, elected leaders and foster youth announced more than $14 million for college readiness and assistance for foster youth in the 2006-2007 State Budget. The money will allow for the implementation of AB 2489, a measure to provide foster youth with the academic preparation, financial assistance and the campus-based support they need to complete their college education.

"When the state fails to reunite a family or find a permanent adoptive family, it retains the parental responsibility for these youth," said Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).

"As the "parent" we have a moral, ethical and financial obligation to prepare foster youth for a successful adulthood, and this funding will go a long way toward achieving that goal."

Foster care reform received $82 million in the 2006-2007 State Budget, which was passed by the legislature and signed into law late last month. Specifically, the budget expands the Foster Youth Services Education Program by $8.2 million and increases the Chafee Scholarship Program - which provides financial aid for foster youth attending two-year or four-year colleges - by $5.7 million. The increase to the Chafee Scholarship program should fully fund all eligible foster youth.

The State Budget will also provide the funding source for AB 2489, a comprehensive package of reforms meant to help foster youth achieve their higher education goals. The bill expands the California Department of Education's Foster Youth Services program to all foster youth, provides tuition waivers for college, establishes automatic eligibility for Cal-Grants, creates housing preferences for foster youth on college campuses and provides state matching funds for Chafee Scholarship grants.

The odds are stacked against foster youth in California when they attempt to reach their academic goals. Reports show that 70 percent of foster youth want to attend college, yet only half of foster youth graduate high school, and of those, only 10 percent go on to college.

"There are 2,400 kids in foster care in San Francisco - one of the highest per capita rates in the state," added Leno. "This money will could make the difference between success and failure in college for foster kids who have nobody to turn to for the support they need."

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