Bill > HR6221

This bill establishes a comprehensive approach to support current and former foster youth in developing career skills and accessing job training opportunities. The bill first requires the Departments of Health and Human Services and Labor to conduct a study evaluating existing federal, state, and private sector job training programs for foster youth, examining their effectiveness, service gaps, access barriers, and potential career pathway expansions. Following the study, the bill mandates the creation of the "Fostering the Future Pipeline Program," which will provide competitive grants to states, academic institutions, employers, and nonprofit organizations to expand technical job training and apprenticeships for foster youth in high-demand fields like skilled trades, manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and agriculture. The bill also modifies the existing John H. Chafee Foster Care Program to increase flexibility in education and training vouchers, allowing them to be used for short-term, career-focused credential programs, including registered apprenticeships and certificate programs. The bill authorizes up to $50 million annually to support these initiatives and stipulates that the provisions will take effect six months after enactment. The overall goal is to help foster youth successfully transition to adulthood by providing them with targeted career development and training opportunities.

Education

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6221/all-info