CO SB131

Establishes a multi-agency Fostering Success Collaborative in the Department of Higher Education to align educational and support services for youth ages 13 and older currently or formerly in foster care, or victims of human trafficking

Collaborative must include representatives from Department of Human Services, Department of Education, Department of Higher Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Colorado Workforce Development Council, county social services associations, nonprofits, foundations, and the Governor's office

Requires College in Colorado program to convene the collaborative by September 1, 2015, and prepare a written plan by January 31, 2016 addressing fostering success programs at all higher education institutions, tuition assistance, training for staff, data sharing practices, housing/food/health care, mentoring models, and sustainable funding

Authorizes each public institution of higher education to establish a fostering success program with academic advisors who provide outreach, pre-college advising, financial aid assistance, career coaching, housing navigation, emergency funding, and degree mapping support

Creates the Fostering Success Collaborative Cash Fund in the state treasury to receive and distribute gifts, grants, and donations for direct and indirect costs of implementing the collaborative, with funds continuously appropriated to the Department of Higher Education