VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Virginia Senate could vote Monday on a bill to cover housing costs for former foster youth attending the state’s colleges and universities.
The bill, House Bill 700 , was introduced by Del. Anne Ferrell Tata (R-Virginia Beach) in partnership with Connect With a Wish , a Virginia Beach nonprofit that supports foster youth throughout Hampton Roads while they’re in the system and after they age out.
“Only three percent of kids in foster care actually graduate from college,” said Colleen Luksik, the nonprofit’s Vice President. ”When those kids overcome the odds, then I think they should have that same opportunity as everyone else.”
Luksik says the organization has already supported legislation to cover state tuition costs for former foster children with grants. It also partnered with Del. Tata on a law requiring colleges to cover housing for those students during breaks.
HB 700, which passed the House of Delegates unanimously in January, covers the rest of the year.