Collaboration with State University System, Florida College System, and Department of Education to assist children and young adults who have been or are in foster care or are experiencing homelessness; documentation regarding eligibility for tuition and fee exemptions; housing assistance.

The department shall collaborate with the State University System, the Florida College System, and the Department of Education to address the need for a comprehensive support structure in the academic arena to assist children and young adults who have been or remain in the foster care system in making the transition from a structured care system into an independent living setting.

(1)(a) Each school district program, Florida College System institution, or state university at which a student is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees under s. 1009.25 must have, at a minimum, a knowledgeable, accessible, and responsive employee who acts as a liaison and provides assistance to those students who are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees to assist in resolving any problems related to such exemption. The liaisons shall provide such students with on-campus support and must be employees of the program, institution, or university. The name and contact information of the liaison must be:

1. Provided to each student who is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees and who is attending that program, institution, or university.

2. Published on the website of the program, institution, or university.

3. Provided to the department and each community-based care lead agency.

(b) Each school district program, Florida College System institution, and state university must maintain the original documentation submitted by the student regarding his or her eligibility for the tuition and fee exemption under s. 1009.25 and may not make additional requests for such documentation.

(2) A school district program, Florida College System institution, or state university may also provide campus coaching services and other support to a student who is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees under s. 1009.25 to promote his or her successful completion of postsecondary education and transition to independent living.

(3) The Chancellors of the Division of Career and Adult Education, the Florida College System, and the State University System shall report annually to the department specific data, subject to privacy laws, about the students served by the campus liaisons, including academic progress, retention rates for students enrolled in the program, financial aid requested and received, and information required by the National Youth in Transition Database.

(4) Each Florida College System institution and state university shall, in consultation with the State Office on Homelessness within the Department of Children and Families, develop plans for prioritizing the placement of students who are or were formerly in foster care and those experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including, but not limited to, students eligible for a tuition and fee exemption under s. 1009.25(1)(c)1.-4. or (e), in residence halls and dormitory residences owned by the institution or university. The Office of Continuing Care established under s. 414.56 is responsible for determining whether a student is or was formerly in foster care. Each Florida College System institution and state university is responsible for determining whether a student is eligible for a tuition or fee exemption under s. 1009.25(1)(e).