NEXT STEPS FOR PA HOUSE BILL 1745

The PA House of Representatives voted unanimously for House Bill 1745, The Fostering Independence Through Education Act, sending it to the Senate. This is great news!
 
If given final approval, HB 1745 would provide supports for hundreds of young adults from the foster care system to graduate from college. 
 
Since very few foster care students graduate, this bill will help young people gain their degree and become productive members of the workforce.
 
Specifically, the bill would:

• Create a Tuition and Fee Waiver for undergraduate degrees at state-affiliated colleges and universities in Pennsylvania for youth in foster care to reduce financial barriers.
• Create Points of Contact at covered institutions to connect eligible students to services including accessing and identifying financial aid, gathering verification documents, and providing information regarding support services to access existing resources
• Provide Outreach to students to ensure eligible youth know about the waiver and other higher education supports.
• Increase Data Collection and Reporting by institutions and government agencies to improve retention and the success of students.

Find more information  (what the bill proposes to do, who supports it, etc.) here and the bill information at www.pa.gov.
 
What is needed now?  Urge the PA Senate Education Committee to "Please vote 'yes' on House Bill 1745." That is all that is needed.  
 
Please contact both the Republican and Democratic chairs of the committee. And, if you are represented by one of the members identified below, please email or call them.
 
PA SENATE HOUSE OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE CONTACT
(as of 06/2018)
 
3 Ways To Contact: (1) click the link; (2) call the 717 Harrisburg office; or (3) call their district offices

• Chair: John Eichelberger, (717) 787-5490 (in Harrisburg), (814) 695-8386 (in Hollidaysburg)   Blair, Cumberland (part), Franklin (part), Fulton and Huntingdon

• Minority Chair: Andrew Dinniman, (717) 787-5709; or 610.692.2112; Chester county;

Majority:

• Alloway,Richard L., II , (717) 787-4651 or (717) 264-6100, Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York
• Aument, Ryan P. , (717) 787-4420 or (717) 627-0036, Lancaster
• Browne, Patrick M. , (717) 787-1349 or (610) 821-8468, Lehigh
• DiSanto, John, (717) 787-6801 or (717) 582-2454, Dauphin and Perry
•  Folmer,Mike, (717) 787-5708 or (717) 274-6735, Dauphin, Lebanon and York
• Scarnati, Joseph B.,III (ex-officio) ,(717) 787-7084 or (814) 265-2030 or (570) 724-5231, Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter and Tioga
• Tomlinson, Robert M. ,(717) 787-5072 or (215) 638-1784 or (215) 942-5157, Bucks

Minority:

• Brewster, James R. , (717) 787-5580 or (412) 380-2242; Allegheny and Westmoreland
• Leach, Daylin,(717) 787-5544 or (610) 768-4200; Delaware and Montgomery
• Williams, Anthony H., (717) 787-5970 or (215) 492-2980 or (610) 284-7335 or (215) 755-9185, Delaware and Philadelphia

Let us know of any responses by email us at policy@pec-cares.org. 

Youth advocates met with US Senator Casey's staff earlier this year.