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Mayor Signs into Law New Bill by Cumbo, Calling for Greater Oversight of Youth in Foster Care

City Councilmember Laurie Cumbo Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law Intro. 187-A, a new bill by Councilmember Laurie A. Cumbo calling for further insight into and reporting of the graduation rates of youth in the foster care.
City Councilmember Laurie Cumbo
City Councilmember Laurie Cumbo

Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law Intro. 187-A, a new bill by Councilmember Laurie A. Cumbo calling for further insight into and reporting of the graduation rates of youth in the foster care.

The bill, which was passed in the City Council on September 10, will require the Commissioner of the Administration for Children's Services to submit an annual report to the City Council no later than October 1 regarding the number of youth in foster care who graduated from high school in the previous year, from September 1 through August 31.

"We need to know whether [foster children] are pursuing higher education, able to secure employment, and earn a living wage to avoid poverty," said Cumbo. "We need to know that these youth are well-equipped to become self-sufficient adults."

According to the Administration for Children's Services, as of July 2014, there are 10,963 children in foster care.

"The enactment of Intro. 187-A, my first piece of legislation, demonstrates our collective commitment to education and the success of all youth in foster care," Cumbo said.

"Through increased transparency and accountability of the Administration for Children's Services, we can monitor the academic progression of our City's most vulnerable population to ensure that these young men and women will excel beyond their circumstances."




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