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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 630 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 630

Recognizing the importance of connecting foster youth to the workforce 
  through internship programs, and encouraging employers to increase 
                   employment of former foster youth.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                July 29 (legislative day, July 28), 2008

  Mrs. Clinton (for herself, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Casey, Mrs. Boxer, and 
Mrs. Murray) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
        the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Recognizing the importance of connecting foster youth to the workforce 
  through internship programs, and encouraging employers to increase 
                   employment of former foster youth.

Whereas, on any given day, there are more than 500,000 youth in foster care in 
        the United States;
Whereas an estimated 26,000 of these youth are discharged from the foster care 
        system or ``age out'' with few or no resources to start their own lives;
Whereas the people of the United States have a sincere appreciation for the 
        circumstances that place children in foster care;
Whereas foster youth possess unique qualities and skills that make them ideal 
        candidates for employment, but compared to youth nationally and youth 
        from low-income families, they are less likely to be employed or 
        employed regularly;
Whereas, when afforded comprehensive support, this resilient population excels 
        in the job market;
Whereas, within 18 months after leaving foster care, 25 percent of foster youth 
        become homeless, and former foster youth comprise more than a quarter of 
        the United States homeless population;
Whereas, without positive intervention, youth who age out of foster care often 
        have bouts of homelessness, criminal activity, and incarceration;
Whereas addressing job readiness early in the transition to adulthood is 
        critical to shaping the future trajectories of these youth; and
Whereas youth who begin connecting to the workforce prior to discharge from 
        foster care maintain the highest probability of employment: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the importance of connecting foster youth to 
        the workforce through internship programs, such as the Orphan 
        Foundation of America's InternAmerica program and other 
        programs, that provide to foster youth the foundation upon 
        which to build their careers and to be successful members of 
        the workforce; and
            (2) encourages employers of all sectors and Federal, State, 
        and local governmental agencies to increase employment of the 
        young men and women who have been discharged from foster care 
        in the United States.
                                 <all>
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