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Dickerson Foster Youth Achievement Act passes Legislature
March 4, 2006
OLYMPIA–Foster children who earn high school diplomas or GEDs will no longer
automatically lose their foster homes, medical coverage and all state support on
their 18th birthday, if a measure passed by the Legislature today is signed into
law by Gov. Chris Gregoire.
The
Foster Youth Achievement Act sent to the governor today will allow up to 50
foster children each year to continue receiving state support until age 21 if
they are actively pursuing a college or vocational degree and maintaining at
least a "C" average.
"Throwing academically successful foster kids into the streets on their 18th
birthday resulted in heartbreaking personal tragedies and sent exactly the wrong
message about the value of education to these deserving youth," said Rep. Mary
Lou Dickerson (D-Seattle), the lead sponsor of the legislation.
"By passing this bill we’re saying that foster children, like other children,
deserve a fair opportunity to continue their education and make a better life
for themselves," Dickerson said.
According to Dickerson, a recent study of Northwest youth who had "aged out" of
foster care proved the system needed reform. The study showed more than a
quarter of the youth exiting the foster care system suffered from post-traumatic
stress disorder–a rate nearly double that experienced by U.S. war veterans
returning from combat. The study also found high rates of homelessness, unwed
pregnancy and public assistance among former foster youth.
"The cost of giving these foster youth more hope and opportunities is minuscule
compared to the costs of doing nothing," said Dickerson.
Dickerson emphasized that passage of the Foster Youth Achievement Act would not
have been possible without the extraordinary advocacy undertaken by foster
youth, the Mockingbird Society and advocates for foster children during the 2006
legislative session.
"The passage of House Bill 2002, the Foster Youth Achievement Act, is truly
landmark legislation on behalf of the children and youth in Washington’s foster
care system," said Jim Theofelis, Executive Director and Founder of Mockingbird
Society.
"The youth and staff at Mockingbird Society are proud to have worked with
Representative Dickerson, Senator Regala and so many others to advance
Washington one step closer to the Mockingbird Society’s mission of building a
world-class foster care system while serving our neighborhood youth," Theofelis
said.
Dickerson’s legislation is a step toward fulfilling a commitment made by the
state in 2004 when it settled the Braam class-action lawsuit brought by 3500
foster children
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HB 2002:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2002&year=2006
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