Fostering the Future Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7432, the Fostering the Future Act, a critical child welfare bill that will set foster youth up for success.
This legislation includes the Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act, which I introduced to codify First Lady Melania Trump's Fostering the Future for America Children and Families executive order.
Unfortunately, only 35 percent of foster youth secure full-time employment in adulthood. People would think that the severity of this crisis would mean that the Federal programming designed to support foster youth would actually give this group of individuals lots of pathways to success, but they would be wrong.
Under current law, the Chafee Education and Training Vouchers can only be used for 4-year degrees. I have heard from foster youths who want to pursue trade schools or certifications instead, and my bill expands the career options available to them under this program. This will open doors to in-demand, high-paying jobs and give foster youth the tools they need to become self-sufficient and build a stable future.
My bill expands the Chafee Education and Training Vouchers for short- term workforce training programs, as well as apprenticeships and remedial education activities needed to help foster youth earn a high school diploma or even a GED.
This bill also addresses the chronic underutilization of the Chafee program funds since 2007. Over the past few years, my home State of Ohio has returned more than $1.6 million in unused funds due to statutory barriers--funds that could have helped foster youth. The Fostering the Future Act will help States like Ohio use their full Chafee allotments to ensure foster youth receive the critical support that they need.
Importantly, this legislation has been endorsed by ACTION Ohio, the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, the Ohio Youth Advisory Board, and hundreds of current and former foster youths across the country.
For all of these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill that will deliver for our Nation's foster youth and set them up for a successful and a self-sufficient future.
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