Fall 2015
Committee:
Legislative Affairs Committee
Whereas, While many services exist for foster person and former foster person, homeless person are often not documented in the child welfare system or legally identified as dependents (California Homeless Youth Project);
Whereas, California’s rate of homeless persons is not only the highest in the nation, but is also double the national average (California Homeless Youth Project). Furthermore, in 2013 there was a recorded 46,964 homeless persons out on a single night in California, where 80% of them were between the ages of 18-24 (Foster);
Whereas, It is in California’s best interest to invest in their homeless persons by giving them the resources necessary to attain a higher education. Giving them this opportunity can facilitate their ability to attain sustainable employment, therefore mitigating the cycle of poverty within California;
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for legislation that requires California’s community colleges to extend priority enrollment to current and former homeless persons.
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges to advocate for legislation that requires California’s community colleges to designate an existing staff member within a campus’ financial aid office, or other qualifying department, to serve as a Homeless Person Liaison. These liaisons will be responsible for understanding the federal Higher Education provisions on financial aid eligibility applicable to foster persons and homeless persons and assist the aforementioned students in applying for and receiving federal and state financial aid and services.
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges realize this by working with California’s policymakers to introduce legislation that would implement the aforementioned objectives.
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges encourage their regions to advocate for the aforementioned legislation by organizing legislative visits, phone banking efforts, letter writing campaigns and testifying at committee hearings.
Citation: Foster, L. (2010). Estimating California Homeless Youth Population. Retrieved from
http://cahomelessyouth.library.ca.gov/docs/pdf/HomelessYouthPopEstimateReport.pdf
California Homeless Youth Project (2014). California’s Homeless Students: A Growing
Population. Retrieved from
http://cahomelessyouth.library.ca.gov/docs/pdf/CaliforniasHomelessStudents_AGrowing Population.pdf
Whereas, California’s rate of homeless persons is not only the highest in the nation, but is also double the national average (California Homeless Youth Project). Furthermore, in 2013 there was a recorded 46,964 homeless persons out on a single night in California, where 80% of them were between the ages of 18-24 (Foster);
Whereas, It is in California’s best interest to invest in their homeless persons by giving them the resources necessary to attain a higher education. Giving them this opportunity can facilitate their ability to attain sustainable employment, therefore mitigating the cycle of poverty within California;
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for legislation that requires California’s community colleges to extend priority enrollment to current and former homeless persons.
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges to advocate for legislation that requires California’s community colleges to designate an existing staff member within a campus’ financial aid office, or other qualifying department, to serve as a Homeless Person Liaison. These liaisons will be responsible for understanding the federal Higher Education provisions on financial aid eligibility applicable to foster persons and homeless persons and assist the aforementioned students in applying for and receiving federal and state financial aid and services.
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges realize this by working with California’s policymakers to introduce legislation that would implement the aforementioned objectives.
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges encourage their regions to advocate for the aforementioned legislation by organizing legislative visits, phone banking efforts, letter writing campaigns and testifying at committee hearings.
Citation: Foster, L. (2010). Estimating California Homeless Youth Population. Retrieved from
http://cahomelessyouth.library.ca.gov/docs/pdf/HomelessYouthPopEstimateReport.pdf
California Homeless Youth Project (2014). California’s Homeless Students: A Growing
Population. Retrieved from
http://cahomelessyouth.library.ca.gov/docs/pdf/CaliforniasHomelessStudents_AGrowing Population.pdf