Colorado legislation aims to bolster failing foster system

Sweeping legislative reforms to Colorado’s troubled foster care program take effect in August.

Lawmakers hope they will revamp a system where kids graduate from high school at lower rates than homeless children.

The bills were crafted with the help of foster parents as well as former foster kids who aged out of the system.The legislation aims to provide more stability for children, the majority of whom change schools at least once per year.

Foster care problems are pervasive across the U.S., but Colorado’s system is particularly challenged.

According to the state Department of Education, in 2017 less than 1 in 4 foster kids in Colorado graduated high school in four years. That’s worse than the rate for homeless kids, who graduate at a 56 percent clip in the state.