81R8473 MCK-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1250
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the administration of certain programs to assist
certain foster children in obtaining postsecondary education and
training.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section:
(1) "Department" means the Department of Family and
Protective Services.
(2) "Program" means the education training and voucher
program component of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence
Program (42 U.S.C. Section 677).
(b) The department shall undertake a comprehensive review
of the program as provided by this section.
(c) The department shall develop a program improvement plan
to streamline and improve the administration of the program by:
(1) simplifying the application for participation in
the program by requiring:
(A) proof of enrollment at an institution;
(B) a mid-semester attendance verification; and
(C) only those additional criteria that are
essential to the proper expenditure of funds under the program;
(2) ensuring that program funds are made available to
students before the start of each term, quarter, or semester for
which the funds are needed so that the students are able to use the
funds to secure housing and purchase textbooks;
(3) improving support for students eligible for
program benefits who are struggling financially or academically;
and
(4) providing comprehensive transition planning for:
(A) extended school holidays; or
(B) life after higher education is completed.
(d) In developing the program improvement plan, the
department shall solicit the input of students, the Texas Education
Agency, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, community
colleges, the statewide Youth Leadership Council, and other
interested persons.
(e) The department shall consider contracting with an
outside contractor to assist the department in streamlining the
administration of the program.
(f) Not later than December 1, 2010, the department shall
prepare a report to the legislature regarding the implementation
and success of the program. The report must include the following
information for the two preceding fiscal years:
(1) an analysis of program costs, including:
(A) the amounts appropriated to the department
for the program;
(B) the costs of administering and overseeing the
program;
(C) the total amount of program funds disbursed
to students;
(D) the average amount of program funds disbursed
per student;
(E) the amount of lapsed funds, if any; and
(F) the estimated amount of financial need for
the average student participating in the program not covered by
program funds; and
(2) student data, including:
(A) the number of students eligible for the
program;
(B) the number of students who received program
funds;
(C) the percentage of students receiving program
funds who made satisfactory grades each semester; and
(D) the number of students each year who:
(i) reapplied for program funding; and
(ii) graduated from an institution of
higher education.
(g) The department, with assistance from the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission,
shall develop a method to track the outcomes of former foster youth
who participate in the program, including an analysis of the number
of students who received program funds who enter the workforce
after graduation in the field for which they were educated.
SECTION 2. This Act expires September 1, 2011.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.