JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri House member wants to get older children in the state's foster system thinking about going to college.
A bill by Republican Charlie Denison, of Springfield, would require all foster children older than 15 to visit a state university, community college or technical college before they're adopted or leave the foster system. The teens would receive information about admissions, financial aid and possible career options.
Denison says taking older foster children to visit a college could encourage them to further their education. The visits could be waived in some circumstances.
Denison's bill has passed the House and is now in the Senate.
State officials estimate nearly 2,800 children older than 15 were in Missouri's foster care system at the end of last year.
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College visits bill is HB1267
Online:
Legislature: http://moga.mo.gov