[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1332 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1332

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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 10, 2008

Mr. Cardoza (for himself, Mr. McDermott, and Mr. Fattah) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education 
                               and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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 little to 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 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 House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of connecting foster youth to 
        the workforce through internship programs, such as the Orphan 
        Foundation of America's InternAmerica program, that provide 
        foster youth the foundation upon which to build their careers 
        and to be successful members of the work force; 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.
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