Foster Youth Education and Workforce Opportunity Act of 2026

This bill changes the federal Chafee program that helps youth who have been in foster care move into adulthood. It raises the yearly maximum education and training voucher from $5,000 to $12,000 and lowers the age at which youth can qualify for certain services from 16 to 14. Vouchers could also be used for short-term training programs, registered apprenticeships, getting a general equivalency degree, and remedial education, with up to 6 years of use for youth in remedial education. States would have to tell eligible youth about the vouchers, offer a simple electronic application form, and could use funds to help with transportation. The changes would take effect 1 year after the bill becomes law.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Steve Daines Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors