Assemblyman Dante Acosta, R-Santa Clarita, introduced legislation  that creates a new program to fund school activities and extracurriculars for foster children.

Foster children will get some extra help to cover the costs of activities like field trips, cap and gown costs and other enriching childhood activities.

If passed, Assembly Bill 754 creates the California Foster Youth Enrichment Grant Program to provide grants to help foster youth participate in activities expected to enhance their skills, abilities, self-esteem and overall well-being, his office announced Friday.

“Picture a foster child overcoming the huge odds to graduate high school then not getting to walk in the ceremony because they can’t afford a cap and gown,” Acosta said. “This is a real situation for far too many, and I won’t allow our state to accept this status quo. The grant program will give foster kids the ability to participate with their classmates in activities that cost small amounts of money, but come with huge impact on their life.”

AB 754 will require the State Department of Social Services to convene a workgroup to develop an implementation plan for the California Foster Youth Enrichment Program.

This program would provide grants of up to $500 for activities.

Assemblyman Dante Acosta represents the 38th Assembly District stretching from Vasquez Rocks in Agua Dulce to the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, which encompasses the communities of Santa Clarita, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth and Northridge.

Ed. Note: This Article is a news release provided by the office of Dante Acosta.