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Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Capitol Watch: Beat it, kids
Thanks to a senseless, heartless twist in public policy, the state cuts off support to young people living in foster care at age 18, even if they've beaten the odds by getting a high school diploma or GED and want to go on to college or trade school.
"What would you say about a regular parent who kicks a kid out at 18, saying that they've 'aged out'?" asked Misty Lou Cook, a senior staff reporter for the Mockingbird Times, a paper for and by homeless and foster care youths, during a House committee hearing in Olympia Monday. Because the state fails to support these successful youngsters "like any proud parent should," Cook called the state a "negligent parent."
Each year, as many as 350 young people in foster care "age out" of the system by turning 18. About 100 of them manage, against all odds, to get a high school diploma or GED. Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, proposes (in House Bill 2002) to allow some foster youths to continue in foster or group care and receive necessary support and transition services until age 21, while they pursue higher education or vocational training.
In taking the youngsters away from their birth parents, no matter how wise it was, the state assumed certain parental responsibilities. Simply showing these kids the door at age 18 -- even those who show the most promise for overcoming the disadvantages dealt them -- is an abdication of that parental responsibility.
Tell us what's on your mind.
 | |
| Does the state have an obligation to help foster youths get a college or vocational education? | |
 57.3%Yes, it's a parental obligation, and the costs are more than offset by reduced public costs in social services, substance abuse treatment, prosecution and incarceration. |
41.3% No, the state doesn't give good parents' kids a free higher-ed ride, so taxpayers shouldn't foot the college bills for these kids. |
| 1.4% Don't know or care. |
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| Total Votes: 286 | |
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