,,ii #aahth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bhdi ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #ai1 #bjbc,mr4 ,casey 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,brown1 ,ms4 ,smith1 ,mr4 ,lujn1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 and ,ms4 ,stabenow7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife to provide formula grants to ,states to improve higher education opportunities for foster youth and homeless youth1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,fostering ,success in ,higher ,education ,act of #bjbc4 #b4 ,formula grants to ,states to improve higher education opportunities for foster youth and homeless youth ,title ,,vii of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aacc et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,f ,grants for improving access to and success in higher education for foster youth and homeless youth #gia4 ,definitions ,in this part3 7#a7 ,foster youth ,the term foster youth-- 7,a7 means an individual whose care and placement is the responsibility of the ,state or ,tribal agency that administers a ,state or ,tribal plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba et seq42 #fgj et seq471 without regard to whether foster care maintenance payments are made under section #dgb of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgb7 on behalf of the individual2 and 7,b7 includes any individual-- 7i7 whose care and placement was the responsibility of such a ,state or ,tribal agency when1 or at any time after1 the individual attained #ac years of age1 without regard to whether foster care maintenance payments were made under section #dgb of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgb7 on behalf of the individual2 and 7ii7 who is no longer under the care and responsibility of such a ,state or ,tribal agency1 without regard to any subsequent adoption1 guardianship arrangement1 or other form of permanency option4 7#b7 ,homeless youth ,the term homeless youth has the meaning given the term homeless children and youths in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a74 7#c7 ,indian ,tribe2 tribal organization ,the terms ,indian ,tribe and ,tribal organization have the meanings given the terms in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#d7 ,state ,the term ,state means each of the several ,states and the ,district of ,columbia4 7#e7 ,territory ,the term territory means the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 the ,republic of the ,marshall ,islands1 the ,federated ,states of ,micronesia1 and the ,republic of ,palau4 #gib4 ,formula grants to ,states to improve access to and success in higher education for foster youth and homeless youth 7a7 ,grant program established ,from the amount appropriated under subsection 7h71 the ,secretary shall make allotments under subsection 7b71 to ,states having applications approved under subsection 7c71 to enable each ,state to-- 7#a7 carry out the statewide transition initiative described in subsection 7d72 and 7#b7 make subgrants described in subsection 7e74 7b7 ,allotments 7#a7 ,formula 7,a7 ,reservation for ,indian tribes and territories 7i7 ,in general ,from the amount appropriated under subsection 7h7 for a fiscal year and subject to clause 7ii71 the ,secretary shall reserve-- 7,i7 not more than #c percent for grants to ,indian ,tribes1 consortia of ,indian ,tribes1 or ,tribal organizations2 and 7,,ii7 not more than #b percent for grants to territories4 7ii7 ,requirements ,in awarding grants under this subparagraph1 the ,secretary-- 7,i7 shall not award a grant under subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii7 of clause 7i7 for a fiscal year for which no ,indian ,tribe 7or consortium of ,indian ,tribes7 or ,tribal organization1 or territory1 respectively1 submits a satisfactory application for a grant under such subclause2 7,,ii7 shall require that any ,indian ,tribe1 consortium1 ,tribal organization1 or territory that receives a grant under this subparagraph provide an assurance of a partnership among relevant education1 child welfare1 and homeless agencies or organizations2 and 7,,iii7 may determine any other requirements with respect to such grants 7including the allocation1 application1 and use of fund requirements71 which to the extent possible1 shall be consistent with the requirements for ,states under this part1 except that appropriate adjustments shall be made based on the needs and size of populations served by the ,indian ,tribe1 consortium1 ,tribal organization1 or territory applying for the grant4 7,b7 ,reservation for ,department activities ,from the amount appropriated under subsection 7h7 for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary may reserve-- 7i7 not more than #g percent to-- 7,i7 provide technical assistance1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 to ,states carrying out activities under this section2 and 7,,ii7 complete the evaluations required by subsection 7g77#a72 and 7ii7 not more than #c percent for administrative expenses4 7,c7 ,allotments ,from the amount appropriated under subsection 7h7 for a fiscal year and remaining after the ,secretary reserves funds under subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b71 the ,secretary shall allot to each ,state the greater of-- 7i7 #ejj1jjj2 or 7ii7 the amount that bears the same proportion to the remaining appropriated amount for such fiscal year as the number of foster youth and homeless youth in the ,state bears to the number of foster youth and homeless youth in all ,states4 7,d7 ,ratable reduction ,if the amount appropriated under subsection 7h7 for a fiscal year and remaining after the ,secretary reserves funds under subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 is less than the amount required to be allotted to ,states under subparagraph 7,c71 then the amount of the allotment to each ,state shall be ratably reduced4 7#b7 ,state ,reservation ,from the amounts awarded a ,state under paragraph 7#a77;,c7 for a fiscal year1 the ,state may reserve not more than #e percent for administrative expenses4 7#c7 ,temporary ineligibility for subsequent payments 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall determine a ,state to be temporarily ineligible to receive a grant payment under this subsection for a fiscal year if-- 7i7 the ,state fails to submit an annual report under subsection 7f7 for the preceding fiscal year2 or 7ii7 the ,secretary determines1 based on information in such annual report1 that the ,state is not effectively-- 7,i7 meeting the outcomes described in the application of such ,state under subsection 7c77#b77;,c71 and does not have a plan to improve the outcomes2 7,,ii7 monitoring and evaluating the activities under subsections 7d7 and 7e72 or 7,,iii7 using funds as required under subsections 7d7 and 7e74 7,b7 ,reinstatement ,if the ,secretary determines that a ,state is ineligible under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary may enter into an agreement with the ,state setting forth the terms and conditions under which the ,state may regain eligibility to receive payments under this subsection4 7c7 ,applications 7#a7 ,in general ,for each fiscal year for which a ,state desires an allotment under subsection 7b71 the ,state shall submit an application to the ,secretary-- 7,a7 at such time and in such manner as the ,secretary may require2 and 7,b7 containing the information described in paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,information required ,an application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,a plan for how the ,state will carry out the activities under subsections 7d7 and 7e74 7,b7 ,a description of the ,state's capacity to carry out such activities4 7,c7 ,a description of intended outcomes for such activities4 7,d7 ,a plan for how the ,state will monitor and evaluate such activities1 including how the ,state will use data to continually update and improve such activities4 7,e7 ,a description of how students will be identified and recruited for participation in the statewide transition initiative under subsection 7d74 7,f7 ,an estimate of the number and characteristics of the populations targeted for participation in the statewide transition initiative under subsection 7d71 with attention to the diverse needs of homeless youth and foster youth in the ,state4 7,g7 ,a description of how the ,state will coordinate services provided under the grant with services provided to foster youth and homeless youth under the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacja et seq471 the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife1 and the ,runaway and ,homeless ,youth ,act 7#cd ,u4,s4,c4 #aabja et seq471 and other services provided to foster youth and homeless youth by the ,state4 7,h7 ,an assurance that the ,state will comply with subtitle ,b of title ,,vii of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadca et seq474 7,i7 ,an assurance that the ,state will partner with ,state educational agencies1 local educational agencies1 institutions of higher education1 ,state and local child welfare authorities1 and other relevant organizations that serve foster youth or homeless youth4 7,j7 ,an assurance that the ,state will submit the annual report required under subsection 7f74 7,k7 ,a budgetary analysis of the use of funds awarded under this section4 7,l7 ,such other information as the ,secretary may require4 7d7 ,statewide transition initiative 7#a7 ,use of funds ,subject to subsection 7b77#b71 and in consultation and coordination with the entities described in paragraph 7#b71 a ,state receiving a grant award under this section shall use not less than #be percent of the funds to-- 7,a7 provide intensive outreach and support to foster youth and homeless youth to-- 7i7 improve the understanding and preparation of foster youth and homeless youth for enrollment in institutions of higher education2 7ii7 increase the number of applications to institutions of higher education submitted by foster youth and homeless youth2 and 7iii7 increase the number of enrollments of foster youth and homeless youth at institutions of higher education2 7,b7 provide education to foster youth and homeless youth with respect to-- 7i7 the benefits and opportunities of postsecondary education2 7ii7 planning for postsecondary education2 7iii7 financial aid opportunities for enrollment at an institution of higher education2 7iv7 the ,federal and ,state services and benefits available to foster youth and homeless youth while enrolled at an institution of higher education1 including health and mental health services2 7v7 career exploration2 and 7vi7 financial literacy training1 including security from identity theft2 7,c7 assist foster youth and homeless youth with submitting applications for-- 7i7 enrollment at an institution of higher education2 7ii7 financial aid for such enrollment2 and 7iii7 scholarships available for such students1 including under a ,state educational and training voucher program referred to in section #dgg7;i7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg7;i772 and 7,d7 provide free programming1 which may include free transportation to and from such programming1 for foster youth and homeless youth to prepare such individuals socially and academically for the rigors of postsecondary education during the summer before such individuals first attend an institution of higher education4 7#b7 ,required consultation and coordination ,in carrying out the activities described in paragraph 7#a71 a ,state shall consult and coordinate with ,state educational agencies1 local educational agencies1 institutions of higher education1 ,state and local child welfare authorities1 and other relevant organizations that serve foster youth or homeless youth4 7e7 ,subgrants ,to create institutions of excellence 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to subsection 7b77#b71 a ,state receiving a grant under this section shall1 acting through the administering ,state agency1 use not less than #gj percent of the funds to award1 on a competitive basis1 subgrants to eligible institutions to enable such institutions to become institutions of excellence by improving access1 retention1 and completion rates at eligible institutions for foster and homeless youth as described in paragraph 7#c74 7#b7 ,application 7,a7 ,in general ,an eligible institution desiring a subgrant under this subsection shall submit an application to the ,state in which such eligible institution is located1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,state may require4 7,b7 ,technical assistance ,each ,state receiving an allotment under this section shall provide outreach and technical assistance to eligible institutions with respect to applications for subgrants under this subsection4 7#c7 ,activities ,an eligible institution that receives a subgrant under this subsection shall use the subgrant funds to carry out the following activities with respect to homeless youth and foster youth3 7,a7 ,provide flexibility and assistance in completing the application process to enroll at such institution4 7,b7 ,coordinate programs with relevant on- and off-campus stakeholders to increase the enrollment of such youth at the institution and align services at the institution for such youth4 7,c7 ,adjust the cost of attendance for such youth at such eligible institution to include the cost of housing during periods of non-enrollment4 7,d7 ,provide institutional aid to such students to meet the cost of attendance that is not covered by other ,federal or ,state educational grants4 7,e7 ,provide outreach to such students to ensure that such youth are aware of housing resources available during periods of non-enrollment4 7,f7 ,subsidize any fees for such students associated with orientation and offer free transportation to the orientation or move-in week at the eligible institution4 7,g7 ,hire and provide training for at least one full-time staff member at the eligible institution to serve as a point of contact to provide case management services and monthly face-to-face meetings with students who are foster youth or homeless youth4 ,such individual shall have an advanced degree and at least two years of relevant experience4 7,h7 ,establish or enhance campus support programs to provide such students with a wide-range of on-campus services1 including-- 7i7 assistance with financial aid2 7ii7 career advice2 and 7iii7 leadership development4 7,i7 ,ensure the availability of robust health services 7physical and mental7 that meet the specific needs of foster youth and homeless youth4 7,j7 ,establish or expand early alert systems to identify and support such students who may be struggling academically4 7,k7 ,for each such student with reasonable1 unanticipated expenses that would not be covered by the institutional aid provided under subparagraph 7,d7 and that would be necessary for the student to persist in higher education during an academic year1 provide the student with access to an emergency grant to help cover such expenses4 7,l7 ,collect1 review1 and monitor data for program improvement4 7#d7 ,reliance on institutional aid or emergency grants ,any institutional aid or emergency grant funds provided to a student under subparagraph 7,d7 or 7,k7 of paragraph 7#c7 by an eligible institution during the period of the institution's subgrant under this subsection shall continue to be provided during the student's continuous enrollment at the institution1 without regard to whether the subgrant period ends during such enrollment4 7#e7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,administering ,state agency ,the term administering ,state agency means a ,state agency-- 7i7 designated by the ,governor or executive of the ,state to administer the subgrants under this subsection2 and 7ii7 that1 with respect to such ,state1 has jurisdiction over-- 7,i7 foster youth2 7,,ii7 homeless youth2 7,,iii7 elementary and secondary education2 or 7,,iv7 higher education4 7,b7 ,eligible institution ,the term eligible institution means an institution of higher education that-- 7i7 is in partnership with-- 7,i7 the ,state child welfare agency that is responsible for the administration of the ,state plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba et seq42 #fgj et seq472 and 7,,ii7 an organization that serves homeless youth 7such as a youth shelter or outreach program72 and 7ii7 may partner with any other provider1 agency1 official1 or entity that serves foster youth and homeless youth1 or former foster youth and homeless youth4 7f7 ,state reports ,for each year in which a ,state receives an allotment under subsection 7b71 the ,state shall prepare and submit a report to the ,secretary that includes-- 7#a7 each activity or service that was carried out under this section2 7#b7 the cost of providing each such activity or service2 7#c7 the number of students who received each activity or service1 disaggregated by demographics2 7#d7 using qualitative and quantitative analysis1 how the ,state-- 7,a7 improved access to higher education for foster youth and homeless youth2 and 7,b7 measured youth satisfaction with activities carried out under this part2 7#e7 an analysis of the implementation and progress of the statewide transition initiative under subsection 7d71 including challenges and changes made to the initiative throughout the preceding year2 7#f7 if1 based on the analysis under paragraph 7#e71 the ,state determines that the program is not on track to meet the intended outcomes described in the application of the ,state under subsection 7c77#b77;,c71 a description of how the ,state plans to meet such intended outcomes2 and 7#g7 information on the eligible institutions receiving subgrants1 including how such institutions used subgrant funds to carry out the activities described in subsection 7e77#c74 7g7 ,department activities 7#a7 ,evaluations ,beginning on the date on which funds are first allotted under subsection 7b71 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall evaluate recipients of allotments and subgrants under this section4 ,the results of such evaluations shall be made publicly available on the website of the ,department4 7#b7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #a year after the date on which funds are first allotted under subsection 7b71 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit a report to ,congress that includes-- 7,a7 the amount of each allotment under subsection 7b72 7,b7 the amount of each subgrant under subsection 7e72 and 7,c7 with respect to the year for which such report is made1 the results of the evaluations under paragraph 7#a74 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #aej1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbd and each of the #e succeeding fiscal years4 4