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CO General Assembly Passes Higher Education Support for Foster Youth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2022
Contact: Juan Ramiro Sarmiento
(785) 760-6567 | JuanRamiro.Sarmiento@younginvincibles.org

CO General Assembly Passes Higher Education Support for Foster Youth

The Legislation Will Require All Public Higher Education Institutions to Waive Tuition for Colorado Foster Youth

(Denver, CO) – Moments ago, the Colorado House of Representatives approved SB22-008, the Higher Education Support for Foster Youth Act. The legislation will ensure that Coloradans who have experience in foster care will have the total cost of college attendance covered for all institutions of higher education in Colorado. This bill will also create the Foster Care Student Navigator Office with four full-time staff dedicated to recruitment, enrollment, and connecting students to a single point-of-contact counselor on their campus to help them with ongoing basic needs to ensure they are able to succeed while in school.

In response, Kyra deGruy Kennedy, Rocky Mountain Regional Director for Young Invincibles issued the following statement.

“This is a major step toward higher education access and equity in Colorado. The barriers that former foster youth face to advancing their education can feel insurmountable. We know that for many people who have interacted with the foster care system, the bar for success is high and the challenges plentiful. Stipends alone are not enough. Thanks to this legislation, increased support and services for foster youth in higher education will now be a reality across Colorado.

We commend Senators Zenzinger and Priola and Representatives McLachlan and McKean for their advocacy for counselors and wrap-around services for students already facing adversity. YI is proud to have worked with numerous young adults in our network to share their stories in order to improve the lives of fellow former foster youth. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the General Assembly in fighting for all young adults.”
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