Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Foster Youth Education and Workforce Opportunity Act of 2026

Expansion of education and workforce training opportunities for youth who have experienced foster care

Section 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)(5) by striking aged out of foster care and inserting experienced foster care at age 14 or older;(2)in subsection (h)(2), by striking age out of foster care and inserting experience foster care at age 14 or older;(3)in each of subsections (a)(6) and (i)(2), by striking 16 and inserting 14; and(4)in subsection (i)—(A)in paragraph (3), by striking in no event may a youth participate in the program for more than 5 years (whether or not consecutive) and inserting may not allow a youth to participate in the voucher program for more than 5 years (or, in the case of a youth who was involved in a remedial education activity referred to in paragraph (4)(B)(iii), for more than 6 years), whether or not consecutive;(B)in paragraph (4)—(i)by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:

(A)may be available for the cost of attendance—(i)at an institution of higher education, as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, including a community college or postsecondary vocational institution; or(ii)at a short-term training program that is eligible for the Workforce Pell program under section 401(k) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as described in section 481(b)(3) of such Act, as added by section 83002(b) of Public Law 119–21;

;

(ii)by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);(iii)by inserting after subparagraph (A), as so amended, the following:

(B)may be available for costs—(i)associated with participation in a registered apprenticeship program;(ii)to obtain a general equivalency degree; or(iii)to receive remedial education; and

; and

(iv)in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, by striking that Act and inserting the Higher Education Act of 1965; and(C)by adding at the end the following:

(7)In this section—(A)the term remedial education means education or skill training needed to support obtaining a high school diploma or qualifying for postsecondary education, training, or a registered apprenticeship that is—(i)not provided by the local educational agency of the student or another free local, State, or Federal program; and(ii)is provided by an instructor with credentials relevant to the subject area of instruction, as determined by the State; and(B)the term registered apprenticeship means an apprenticeship program registered either by a State apprenticeship agency recognized by the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary of Labor pursuant to the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).

Increase in maximum education and training voucher amount and provision of greater support for foster youth pursuing postsecondary education

(a)

In general

Section 477(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677(i)), as amended by section 2, is amended—(1)in paragraph (3)—(A)by striking training program and inserting training program (except that the State may establish a grace period to allow a youth to continue participation in activities described in paragraph (4)(A), after an assessment and consultation with the youth, if the State determines that reasonable circumstances warrant the grace period),; and(B)by striking that program and inserting that education or training program; and(2)in paragraph (4)(C), by striking $5,000 and inserting $12,000.(b)

Guidance

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with youth who have experienced foster care, shall develop and issue model guidance to States and jurisdictions receiving allotments under section 477(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677(c)) for implementation of the amendment made by subsection (a)(1).

Improving accessibility and youth awareness of education and training vouchers

(a)

In general

Section 477(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677(i)), as amended by sections 2 and 3, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(8)The State shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that eligible youth are aware of potential benefits provided under this subsection, including by coordinating with programs funded under subsection (h)(1).(9)The program shall include a simplified, user-tested, and standard form for youth to use to apply for vouchers under the program, using standard terminology, that is easily accessible and available electronically.(10)The State may use funds otherwise available under this subsection to assist eligible youth in overcoming transportation barriers that limit access to postsecondary education, workforce training, registered apprenticeships, or employment.

(b)

Use of funds

Section 477(d)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(d)(1)) is amended to read as follows:

(1)

In general

A State to which an amount is paid from its allotment under subsection (c)(1) may use the amount in any manner that is reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of this section, including outreach related to subsection (i)(8). A State to which an amount is paid from its allotment under subsection (c)(3) may use the amount for any purpose related to the program described in subsection (i)(8).

Effective date

The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.