California’s 80,000 foster children would receive housing, education, and other benefits until they are 21, under a bill passed by the State Legislature. The proposal goes to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for final approval.
Numerous studies show adults who grow up as foster children are at higher risk to end up in prison or unemployed.
Democratic Assemblyman Jim Beall sponsored the legislation. “We covered the fiscal problems and the fiscal issues, and we were very successful getting a bipartisan vote out of the legislature," said Beall. T"he foster kid will have a place to live, he will have all the services that a foster kid has when they are under 18 they’ll have when they are over 18.”
Some cities, like New York, automatically continue benefits for foster children until they turn 21. The vast majority of states and cities cover benefits until the foster child reaches 18.
