2025
Policy Victories
In 2025, JBAY successfully advocated for these policy and budget priorities to improve the quality of life for foster youth in California.
$6.1 Million to Fund College Savings Accounts for Students in Foster Care
The 2025-26 state budget allocated $6.1 million to fund the expansion of Assembly Bill (AB) 2508, which was signed into law by Governor Newsom on September 26, 2024. Beginning in 2025-26, this bill expands eligibility for the CalKIDS program so that all students in foster care in grades one through twelve receive a supplemental payment into their college savings account, rather than just those in first grade. Research shows that children with higher education savings accounts are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate than children without any savings.
Improved Access to Poverty-Reducing Tax Credits for Current and Former Foster Youth
SB 624, the FOSTER Act, authored by Senator Anna Caballero, was signed into law on October 1, 2025. SB 624 aims to reduce poverty among current and former foster youth by increasing access to the California Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC). SB 624 requires county child welfare agencies and probation departments to mail information to all nonminor dependents about filing state and federal income tax returns and the FYTC. The bill also requires the California Department of Social Services to issue bi-annual guidance to counties on best practices for encouraging nonminor dependents and former foster youth to file taxes and access the FYTC.
