Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee | |
ESSB 5084
Brief Description: Establishing a foster youth postsecondary education and training coordination committee.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Hargrove, Kohl-Welles, Rasmussen and Regala; by request of Governor Locke).
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/22/05
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).
Background:
Beginning at age 13, dependent youth in state foster care can receive Independent Living
Services (ILS) to help them prepare for independence. When youth emancipate, or "age out,"
from foster care at age 18, they are eligible to receive assistance with housing, education, and
employment training until age 21. According to a 2003 performance report by the Department of
Social and Health Services (DSHS) Children's Administration, 470 youth aged out of foster care
in 2002. Of these youth, 161 planned to pursue higher education.
The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) administers state financial aid programs for
low-income students pursuing higher education. The two primary programs are the State Need
Grant and State Work Study. Students are eligible for a need grant if they have a family income
less than 55 percent of the state median family income, are enrolled at least part-time, and pursue
a degree or certificate. The program attempts to serve all eligible students within available funds.
For the 2003-04 academic year, approximately 53,500 students received need grant awards, but
6,000 eligible students went unserved.
The State Work Study program served approximately 7,700 financially needy students in
2003-04. In its administration of the program, the HECB is directed to place a priority on state
resident students, job placements that relate to the student's academic or vocational pursuits, and
off-campus community service placements.
Summary of Bill:
The Legislature finds that disproportionately few foster youth enroll in postsecondary training
programs. The Legislature intends to provide statewide planning and oversight through a
coordination committee. The Legislature also intends to provide financial support by setting
aside portions of the State Need Grant and State Work Study programs specifically for foster
youth.
The DSHS is directed to create a foster youth postsecondary education and training coordination
committee. The committee is comprised of staff from the DSHS Children's Administration, the
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the HECB, as well as foster youth, former
foster youth, foster parents, and representatives from nonprofit service agencies.
The committee has the following duties:
The committee expires June 30, 2011.
The HECB, when making annual awards of State Need Grants, will give consideration to former
foster youth. Eligible former foster youth are guaranteed a State Need Grant when funds from
grants that were declined, forfeited or otherwise unused are disbursed. The HECB must also
place a priority on providing work opportunities for former foster youth through the State Work
Study program.
A former foster youth is defined as a person who is at least 18, but not more than 24 years of age,
and who was a dependent of the DSHS at the time the youth attained the age of 18.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.