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Foster‑care alumni press council for clearer higher‑education outreach; Res. 843 in focus

New York City Council Committee on Children and Youth · October 31, 2025

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Summary

Foster‑care alumni testified that information about higher‑education financial supports is inconsistently delivered; they urged passage and implementation of Res. 843 to require visible pamphlets and posters and clearer outreach inside foster‑care settings.

Foster‑care alumni and advocates pressed the Council to move faster on outreach about higher‑education financing and supports for young people formerly in care, highlighting gaps between available programs and what youth on the ground receive.

Trevor, a foster‑care alumnus who testified in person, urged the council to make information visible and required in facilities that care for youth: group homes, foster homes and contracted residential settings. He cited the New York City foster‑youth survey (ACS) showing high interest in postsecondary education but noted a large gap between intent and bachelor’s‑degree attainment. “This resolution…takes action towards instructing ACS to prepare pamphlets and posters,” Trevor said, and he urged that the outreach be accompanied by concrete timelines and accountability; he added that many supports are time‑limited or contingent on being enrolled before age 21.

ACS officials told the committee the city has expanded supports through Fair Futures and other initiatives, reporting that the City now has more young people enrolled in college funded programs (425, up from 192 in prior years) and that recent budget investments expand coaching availability toward age 26. The agency also noted that youth currently in foster care have access to College Choice, an expense‑covering program plus a daily stipend in some cases, and that additional programs under the Success and Safety initiative aim to increase college supports.

Youth speakers and advocates, however, asked for clearer, low‑barrier, visible outreach (posters, pamphlets, QR codes) inside facilities and recommended that required distribution and staff accountability be built into contracts and oversight so that youth who age out still learn about available supports. Several council members committed to working with ACS and the Center for Fair Futures on improved dissemination and to include these requests in upcoming budget oversight and program plans.