A few months ago, I shared information about Oklahoma’s Promise and a bill under consideration in the Legislature that would encourage teens in foster care to enroll in the program. Last week, Senate Bill 763 was signed into law, making it easier for older children in Oklahoma’s foster care program to access higher education or CareerTech programs. The new law directs the Department of Human Services to work in conjunction with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to provide parents and legal guardians of foster youth with informative material and encourage higher participation in the state-funded scholarship program.
Formerly known as Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), Oklahoma’s Promise provides educational opportunities for young adults who may not otherwise have access to higher education. The cost of higher education is prohibitive for many, and is likely even more true for children who are in the state foster system. Many teens in foster homes may believe there is no way they would have the ability to pay for additional education, but with the provisions of the bill signed last week, we will be better equipped to inform these children and the adults in their lives about the “Oklahoma’s Promise” scholarship program.
By providing materials detailing how to apply for Oklahoma’s Promise, the hope is that we’ll not only have more students apply for the program, but it will also help foster care students, as well as their parents or guardians, better understand the value of the program and how they can maintain their eligibility. With 242 foster care students currently enrolled in the program, it’s my hope we will see that number rise as the newly created network is connected between DHS and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
This is an important step to provide parents and guardians better information to understand the value of Oklahoma’s Promise, as well as give Oklahoma foster children the tools to unlock a brighter future for themselves.
For more information, email okpromise@osrhe.edu, call the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s information hotline at 800.858.1840 or write Oklahoma’s Promise, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, P.O. Box 108850, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850.
As always, I welcome your comments and concerns about state government. Please feel free to contact me by writing to Senator Charles Wyrick at the State Capitol, Room 523, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105 or you can call me at (405) 521-5561.
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