The California Public Utilities Commission will vote on April 25, 2019 to approve the iFoster-Boost Mobile pilot to provide up to 33,000 CA foster youth with a free smartphone with unlimited voice, text, data, and a hotspot in the first of its kind program. Please add your voice to this proceeding by signing the below letter of support.

California Public Utilities Commission

Public Advisor’s Office

505 Van Ness Ave.

San Francisco, CA 94102

RE:  R.11-03-013, iFoster Lifeline Pilot Program Proposal

Dear Commissioners:

We are writing in strong support of the proposed decision to authorize the iFoster pilot program within the California Lifeline Program. The two-year pilot program would provide a smartphone and monthly cell phone service including unlimited voice, unlimited text, unlimited data, and hotspot capabilities free of charge to up to 33,000 current and former foster youth ages 13 to 26 inclusive across California through a simple eligibility and application process.

If approved, the iFoster pilot will help bridge the digital divide facing many California foster youth. Currently, only about 1 in 5 foster youth living in urban areas has regular access to technology. For foster youth in rural areas, access is even worse: just 1 in 20 have regular access to technology. This lack of access makes it more difficult for foster youth to navigate academic and career pathways, stay connected to their support network, access the resources they need, and remain safe, thus impeding their ability to shift from foster care into successful and self-sufficient adulthood.

By supporting California foster youth, this program will enable the Commission to achieve several of its identified overarching goals for Lifeline, including lowering barriers for consumers to participate in the program, increasing access for unserved and underserved consumers, and providing scalable solutions to adopt. The pilot will furthermore allow CPUC to test categorical eligibility expansion, the provision of program-funded devices, streamlined application and renewal processes, partnerships with the non-profit sector, and new and innovative consumer engagement strategies.  

We urge the Commission to vote in support of the proposed decision to authorize the iFoster pilot program at the upcoming April 25, 2019 meeting. Thank you for your commitment to our state’s foster youth and your leadership on this important issue.

Sincerely,