AB 2137 – Education Supports for Foster and Homeless Youth

How does it align with yli’s values?

Research shows that California’s roughly 225,000 K-12 students experiencing homelessness and over 46,000 students in foster care encounter significant challenges graduating from high school and enrolling in higher education. These challenges often include school mobility, chronic absenteeism and higher rates of exclusionary discipline practices than their peers.

yli partners with thousands of youth across the state, the majority of whom are low-income youth of color. As leaders in the youth development field, we believe that all young people deserve a meaningful education that prepares them for a future of greater opportunity and well being. These opportunities are especially crucial for foster youth and youth experiencing homelessness, who often have experienced trauma and face high risks in terms of poor adolescent and adult outcomes.

This bill would make good on our promises to young people by:

• Expanding the ability of Foster Youth Services Coordinating Programs, located in each County Office of Education, to provide direct student support
• Providing a copy of financial aid “opt-out forms” to Foster Youth Services Coordinating Programs, so that program staff can provide tailored interventions and personalized support to ensure youth are aware of financial aid and postsecondary options
• Requiring consultation with foster and homeless student liaisons during the development of the Local Control and Accountability Plan

This policy aligns with our Education Justice Platform, which advocates for free, high quality, whole person education for all.

What is yli doing about it?

We have just submitted a letter endorsing this bill, and we are showing our support on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Who supports this bill?

•  National Center for Youth Law
• John Burton Advocates for Youth