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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina s congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Myorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Foster Kids Have Big Plans for OR Legislature

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Monday, December 22, 2014   

PORTLAND, Ore. – The process of seeing a new law passed can be long and complicated, but it's a challenge foster children in Oregon are taking on – even some children who aren't old enough to vote.

Members of the Oregon Foster Youth Connection are current and former foster children, ages 14 to 25.

In 2015, they want state lawmakers to pave the way for more foster children to take part in after school activities.

Rachel Vandecoevering, who is part of the group, says there isn't always enough money in foster families' budgets to pay for activities and transportation. She says members of the Oregon Foster Youth Connection have already talked with some lawmakers about drafting the bill.

"I felt pretty good – nervous at first, because I've never talked to a representative before – but I felt pretty good, and felt pretty hopeful that it will happen," she says.

There are almost 10,000 foster children statewide.

Another proposal from the group is allowing foster children to have their own savings account.

Since many are in multiple homes during their years in foster care, James Barta, outreach director with Children First for Oregon, says their situation just doesn't fit the traditional banking rules.

"It's a little tricky, because they're minors and so, they can't enter into a legally binding agreement,” he explains. “So, who's going to be the cosigner? This may require legislation that allows them to have a contract, where they can have a bank account to call their own."

Barta calls the foster youth very compelling advocates, and says lawmakers appreciate the young people’s first-hand knowledge of the foster care system.

The group also wants the legislature to require that youth aging out of foster care have access to an Independent Living Program (ILP), up to age 21, to help them launch into adulthood.

At 19, Vandecoevering says for her, it's been a big help.

"I'm actually part of the ILP program right now,” she relates. “They talk about banking, and what are the necessities for being out on your own, like an apartment, the basic needs for becoming independent. I like it – it's helped me move forward a lot."

The Oregon Foster Youth Connection developed a Bill of Rights for foster children that passed unanimously in 2013 and is now in effect.

A Lobby Day for Foster Youth on Feb. 9 will give the group’s members another chance to test their negotiating skills in Salem.



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