SECTIONS 89340-89347 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 89340-89347

89340. This article shall be known, and may be cited as the Higher
Education Outreach and Assistance Act for Emancipated Foster Youth.

89341. (a) The Legislature makes the following findings and
declarations:
(1) Children who live in foster care are abused and neglected
individuals for whom the state has assumed parental responsibility.
Although foster care is designed to reunite those children, when
appropriate, with their parents, or to place those children with an
adoptive family, many children are neither reunited with their
parents nor adopted. When those children reach the age of 18 years,
the state terminates its responsibility to those youth. Many of those
youth are not prepared to sustain themselves independently. As a
result, a disproportionate number of former foster youth are
homeless, dependent on public assistance, unemployed, and more likely
to commit suicide. Foster youth are also much less likely to attend
college than other youth.
(2) In California, there are more than 90,000 children in foster
care. Every year 4,000 youth leave foster care upon reaching the age
of 18 years. While more than one-half of high school graduates go on
to enroll in college, less than 25 percent of foster youth in
California enroll in college. Of the foster youth who do enroll in
college, only 7 percent enroll in a four-year university.
(3) While the foster youth college enrollment rate is extremely
low, the college dropout rate of foster youth is extremely high.
Studies also indicate that while few former foster youth enroll in
college, even fewer go on to earn a degree. Sixty-seven percent of
all emancipated foster youth who enroll in college will drop out
before graduation. One of the critical hurdles for this student
population to overcome is finding the financial resources to fund
their education. Only 10 percent of foster youth who apply for a Cal
Grant, California's need-based financial aid award, actually ever
receive that grant.
(4) Emancipated foster youth, who do not have parents to rely upon
for support and guidance, suffer unique disadvantages compared to
other students. While many students are preoccupied with academic
pressures, the primary concerns cited by former foster youth are the
absence of family support and the fear of spending the holidays
alone. Emancipated foster youth need emotional support and
specialized resources from sensitive university staff who understand
the unusual circumstances and pressing needs of emancipated foster
youth.
(b) Accordingly, the Legislature states its intent that the
Trustees of the California State University and the Board of
Governors of the California Community Colleges expand the access and
retention programs of the university and the community colleges to
include the following:
(1) Outreach services to foster youth to encourage their
enrollment in a state university or a community college.
(2) Technical assistance to foster youth to assist those
prospective students in completing admission applications and
financial aid applications.

89342. The Trustees of the California State University and Board of
Governors of the California Community Colleges shall perform the
following services to assist emancipated foster youth:
(a) Review housing issues for those emancipated foster youth
living in college dormitories to ensure basic housing during the
regular academic school year, including vacations and holidays other
than summer break.
(b) Provide technical assistance and advice to campuses on ways in
which to improve the delivery of services to emancipated foster
youth.
(c) Commencing in the 1998-99 academic year, track the retention
rates of students who voluntarily disclose to the university or
community college their status as former emancipated foster youth.

89343. The Trustees of the California State University and Board of
Governors of the California Community Colleges shall evaluate the
extent to which their current programs are meeting the needs of
foster youth and how those outreach and retention services can be
improved.

89344. Representation on the appropriate California State
University Advisory Councils shall be expanded to include at least
one former emancipated foster youth who is either a current or former
student at the university.

89345. The State University Educational Opportunity Program and
California Community College Extended Opportunity Programs and
Services shall ensure that identified emancipated foster youth are
informed of services, including mentoring, provided by these
programs.

89346. The State Department of Social Services and county welfare
departments shall, in coordination with the California State
University and the California Community Colleges, communicate with
foster youth at two grade levels designated jointly by the California
State University and the California Community Colleges in order to
facilitate the outreach and technical assistance efforts for those
prospective students.

89347. The Student Aid Commission shall provide outreach services
and technical assistance to foster youth at the two grade levels
designated jointly by the California State University and the
California Community Colleges. The State Department of Social
Services and county welfare departments shall, in coordination with
the Student Aid Commission, communicate with foster youth at the two
grade levels designated jointly by the California State University
and the California Community Colleges in order to facilitate the
Student Aid Commission's outreach and technical assistance efforts
for those prospective students.