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Senate amendment would let foster children keep full stipend
Senate amendment would let foster children keep full stipend
By BRENT KALLESTAD Associated Press Writer TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Most independent foster children would continue to receive stipends through the state's Road to Independence program following a Senate panel's approval Monday of an amended bill that originally proposed slashing the benefits by up to 30 percent. Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, offered the amendment that would let recipients keep a monthly stipend of $892, but only after a needs-based assessment is completed. Similar legislation also was approved by a House committee, which temporarily passed a wide-reaching measure that would also protect the monthly stipend. The program is designed to propel qualified foster children into an independent living situation. The foster children headed for college would be eligible to receive tuition and fee exemptions as well, plus Pell grants. However, advocates for foster care children say the $15 million program - which is 80 percent funded by the federal government - only serves a fraction of the kids in need. "I believe that all kids who want more help could get it, period," said Daniel J. Brannen, president and CEO of the South Florida Kids at Home program, based in Boca Raton. "So many young people who are in foster care aren't ready to go on educationally, so you end up serving a small number." The Senate Subcommittee on Health and Human Services approved the measure (CS/SB 512) 5-0, sending it to the full Appropriations Committee. The House Future of Florida's Families committee decided to temporarily pass its amended version later Monday night. "It's like everything else we do in this state, prevention," said Rep. Nan Rich, D-Weston, a proponent of extended foster care. "You're always going to get backed up. Ultimately, this is not the answer." The original bill, also sponsored by Lynn, could have slashed the monthly stipends by up to $266 a month for some of the current 919 recipients, but provided other means to replace the money. Child advocates and some lawmakers strongly protested, saying DCF shouldn't be considering cuts. The House proposal would also eliminate waiting periods, program enrollment windows and require more accountability from DCF. The House committee chair, Rep. Heather Fiorentino, R-New Port Richey, said she'd like to see more mentoring for foster kids and ensure none would have their health insurance jeopardized. DCF officials had said the stipend cuts were being considered because of concerns over the program's long-term financial health and to ensure that it could keep up with the program's growth rate. http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-onlin...81KBQBO0.shtml Defend your civil liberties! Get information at http://www.aclu.org, become a member at http://www.aclu.org/join and get active at http://www.aclu.org/action. |
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