Supporting California’s Foster Youth

For many children across California, planning for their future is part of growing up. From the time they are very young, their parents set aside money, dollar-by-dollar, to make the ultimate investment in their future success – higher education.

While the amount of the funding parents can contribute varies, especially with dramatically rising tuition fees and living expenses, in most cases high school graduates have access to college or university through the financial support of their parents.

Even for many low-income students, there are still many ways a family can provide material support for their children as they pursue their education. Meals, a roof to sleep under, some spending money, help with books, clothes, or transportation expenses – even the most modest support can make the difference between getting through college or not.

Seven years ago, there was a population of young people in California for whom access to this type of assistance was completely lacking – foster youth. Research shows that while most current or former foster youth in college receive some form of financial aid, many only receive support for course enrollment fees but not for living expenses.

In 2010, AB 12 was passed to address this pressing need, establishing a “supervised independent living placement” (SILP) funding source. Through the SILP, financial support could be provided directly to the students aged 18-21 to assist them with educational living expenses. College dorms and other housing were automatically approved as part of this program.

AB 12 has helped many foster children pursue their goals of completing their education. But a small population of foster youth has slipped through the cracks – those who are entering college before the age of 18. In order to close this gap, I have proposed AB 766, which will extend the SILP eligibility to minor foster youth who are attending college and residing in approved college housing.

For foster youth, the chance to pursue their interests and earn a degree is the building block for their future success in adulthood. With the passage of AB 766, California’s foster youth will have a chance to stand on a level playing field with their peers who are lucky enough to benefit from direct family support. Helping them achieve their goals will benefit all Californians, and pave the way for a lifetime of opportunity.