41-108. Foster youth education success program; fund; report; program termination

A. The foster youth education success program is established in the office of the governor for the purpose of improving the educational outcomes of children in this state's foster care system.

B. The foster youth education success fund is established consisting of monies appropriated to the fund and monies received by the office of the governor from any lawful public or private source for this purpose. The office of the governor shall administer the fund. Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated. The office of the governor may accept and spend local, state and federal monies and private grants, gifts, contributions and devises to assist in carrying out the purposes of this section. Monies in the fund do not revert to the state general fund.

C. The office of the governor shall establish policies and procedures, selection criteria and minimum performance standards for service providers that wish to participate in the program.

D. A service provider that is selected to participate in the program shall:

1. Contract with an organization that is exempt from federal income taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code and that provides the following programmatic components:

(a) A partnership with local education agencies, child welfare agencies and judicial agencies to implement a continuous cycle of data-driven interventions for children in foster care.

(b) Identification and support of an education champion for children in foster care who is informed of rights and responsibilities and paired with an education coach to increase capacity to support educational success for children in foster care.

(c) Development and monitoring of an education team, which may include education liaisons, students, social workers, school staff, caregivers, court-appointed special advocates, coaches, mentors or other community members.

(d) A customized education plan for each child in foster care that is based on individual strengths and needs and that uses a research-based tool.

2. Submit an annual report on or before December 15 to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives that includes an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program, including demographic information and academic outcomes. The service provider shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

E. The program established by this section ends on July 1, 2026 pursuant to section 41-3102.