Representative Susan McClain told the committee House Bill 3,449 A would correct drafting language in last year’s pilot so that grant awards go to school districts — the financial agents — rather than to specific schools. The measure also would limit the pilot to middle and high schools, apply the changes to grants awarded before and after the effective date, extend the pilot timeline to Jan. 2, 2028, and declare an emergency to make the change effective on passage.

"We put in the names of the actual three schools that were going to be in the pilot program. But because the school district is actually the financial spine for the district, it actually should go to the school district and not to the schools specifically," Rep. McClain said, explaining why the bill is needed to avoid administrative delays.

Elise Brown, testifying for Anthony's Circle and partner SEI, described the pilot’s goals and partners. The pilot provides an educational navigator who coordinates wraparound services for youth in foster care; participating sites include McDaniel High School in Portland, Timber Ridge Middle School in Albany, and South Medford High School. Brown said the pilot aims to raise the graduation rate for youth in foster care (the pilot’s original goal was to reach a 75 percent graduation rate) and that data collected through the pilot will guide future investments.

Rep. McClain and witnesses told the committee the program received funding but has hit administrative obstacles: some students moved schools (from middle to high school or between districts) and the grant language tied funds to named schools rather than the districts that manage reimbursements. Committee members and sponsors discussed that existing funds are set to expire at the end of the biennium on June 30, 2025, and that addressing remaining funding or reimbursement questions will require review by the Joint Ways and Means Committee.

Sponsoring members asked for and received a commitment to submit program success measures and reporting details for the committee record. The committee closed the hearing on House Bill 3,449 A and held several other bills over for additional questions.