HR7463-119

What This Bill Does

The Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act amends the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program education and training voucher provisions in section 477(i) of the Social Security Act. It raises the maximum annual voucher amount from $5,000 to $12,000 for eligible foster youth pursuing education or training programs.

The bill also allows a state to create a grace period so a youth can continue participation after an assessment and consultation with the youth if reasonable circumstances warrant it. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with youth who have experienced foster care, must develop model guidance for states and jurisdictions receiving Chafee allotments. States must make reasonable efforts to ensure eligible youth know about voucher benefits, coordinate outreach with Chafee-funded programs, and use a simplified, user-tested, electronic standard application form with standard terminology.

Who Benefits and How

Foster youth pursuing postsecondary education benefit because the annual voucher ceiling increases to $12,000, which can cover more tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, or training costs. Youth who temporarily struggle to meet program participation rules benefit from state grace-period authority after individualized assessment and consultation. Former foster youth benefit from clearer outreach and a simplified electronic application form. State Chafee education voucher programs gain authority to spend allotments on outreach and application improvements. The Secretary of Health and Human Services gains a mandate to issue implementation guidance informed by foster-youth experience. Colleges and training programs benefit when voucher support helps foster youth stay enrolled.

Who Bears the Burden and How

State child welfare agencies must update voucher rules, outreach, application forms, and electronic access. State Chafee administrators must decide when grace periods are warranted and document youth consultation. HHS Administration for Children and Families staff must develop model guidance with input from youth who have experienced foster care. Federal taxpayers bear higher voucher exposure if appropriations support the increased $12,000 maximum. Colleges and training programs may need to coordinate with state voucher offices to support continuing eligibility.

Key Provisions

• Increases the maximum Chafee education and training voucher from $5,000 to $12,000.
• Authorizes state grace periods for continued postsecondary participation after assessment and youth consultation.
• Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue model guidance after consulting youth who have experienced foster care.
• Requires states to make reasonable efforts to inform eligible youth about voucher benefits.
• Requires a simplified, user-tested, electronically accessible standard voucher application form.
• Allows Chafee allotments to support outreach related to education and training vouchers.