Bill Overview
Title: Foster Youth and Driving Act
Description: This bill expands state foster care and adoption assistance programs to provide driving preparation assistance to foster youth and related training for foster parents. The bill further directs assistance to states and tribal organizations for age-appropriate foster youth to, among other things, obtain automobile insurance, complete driver's education, obtain a driver's license, and purchase a vehicle.
Sponsors: Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Target Audience
Population: Foster youth
Estimated Size: 100000
- The bill specifically targets foster youth, providing them with resources to obtain a driver's license and insurance, thus directly impacting this population.
- Foster parents and caregivers will be indirectly impacted as they receive training to assist foster youth in driving preparation.
- State and tribal organizations administering foster care programs will be operationally impacted to implement these provisions.
- Around the world, the population of foster youth is estimated in the millions, with at least 2.7 million foster youth globally according to UNICEF estimates.
Reasoning
- The policy is designed to directly target foster youth, estimated at 100,000 in the USA within driving age, according to the Administration for Children and Families.
- A significant proportion of the budget will cover driving lessons, insurance, and purchasing vehicles, reflecting strong support for these young individuals.
- Some foster parents will benefit indirectly from training support to better facilitate the driving needs of youths under their care.
- The policy will also have organizational impacts on state and tribal agencies tasked with implementing these changes.
- Despite the budget constraints, the policy aims for substantial coverage among eligible youths, improving their autonomy and integration into adult society.
- The wellbeing scores are based on access to transportation being a critical factor in independence and opportunity for young adults.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will really help me feel more independent. Having a license means I can get myself to school and work without depending on others.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 16 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting my license would help me keep my job and save for the future. It's hard to manage time when relying on buses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Student (Rural Oklahoma)
Age: 15 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could change everything for me. I live in a rural area where driving is a must for getting anywhere.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retail worker (New York, NY)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm about to age out, so getting a license is crucial for me to get to college and work consistently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Nursing assistant (Houston, TX)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Had I had this support when I was younger, transitioning out of foster care would have been much smoother.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 17 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy matters because it gives us a shot at normal teen experiences, helping us to fit in better with peers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being able to drive would open up so many opportunities for internships and starting my own business someday.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 17 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's not just about driving—it's about how I can be involved with my soccer team without putting pressure on my foster family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Even if I can't buy my own car immediately, at least having a license would mean I have more college options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Delivery driver (Denver, CO)
Age: 20 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I learned to drive out of necessity, but official support would have been a big help back then.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $153000000 (Low: $123600000, High: $183600000)
Year 3: $156060000 (Low: $126072000, High: $187272000)
Year 5: $162480000 (Low: $129984000, High: $194976000)
Year 10: $174832800 (Low: $139866240, High: $209799360)
Year 100: $349665600 (Low: $279732480, High: $419598720)
Key Considerations
- Effective training and education programs for driving are critical to program success.
- Cooperation between state, tribal organizations, and foster caregivers are essential for seamless execution.
- Ensuring secured and safe transportation means is a priority for foster youth.