Join us for
Upcoming Events

Nov 1, 2023

The 2024 tax season will be the second year that current and former foster youth across California are eligible for the Foster Youth Tax Credit. This exciting new tax credit put over $5 million directly into the pockets of more than 5,000 young people across the state in 2023.

Please join John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) on Wednesday, November 1st from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. for a webinar to learn how to ensure current and former foster youth in your community can access this important tax credit in 2024.

The webinar will be a “train-the-trainer,” where participants learn about the Foster Youth Tax Credit and are trained on how to successfully communicate this information to their colleagues and integrate it into their direct service practice. Topics to be addressed during the session will include eligibility for commonly utilized tax credits among youth, youth outreach strategies, referral resources and more.

Dec 14, 2023

Join us for a special celebration with John Burton Advocates for Youth as we commemorate John’s birthday and the remarkable 19 years of impactful work by JBAY! Our upcoming event is scheduled for Thursday, December 14th, at the historic Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.

In 2022, we proudly introduced the Burton Champion Award, an honor designed to acknowledge leaders who embody John Burton’s unwavering dedication to public service and belief in the government’s role in ensuring equal opportunities for all Californians.

Last year’s recipients were Assemblymember Phil Ting, former State Controller Betty Yee, and Senator John Laird. Each of these leaders played a pivotal role in reforms to enhance housing stability and improve access to higher education for youth who have experienced foster care or homelessness.

This year, we are excited to announce the recognition of three more outstanding Burton Champions who have made a profound impact in our collective efforts to support youth who have faced the challenges of foster care or homelessness. Keep an eye out for forthcoming invitations, as we look forward to sharing this momentous occasion with you in the fall!

Past Events

May 31, 2023

California has the largest foster youth population in the nation, with over 50,000 children in foster care. Students who experience foster care often face significant barriers to post-secondary education. As the largest university system in the U.S., California State University (CSU) plays an important role in supporting positive life outcomes for students who have experienced foster care, with an estimated annual enrollment of 3,000-3,500 students with foster care history.

In a new study, researchers from UCLA’s Center for the Transformation of Schools seek to understand the impact of CSU campus-based support programs on foster youth, and the successes, challenges, and opportunities experienced by program staff.

Join us in this webinar as CTS researchers will present findings from the study and actionable recommendations at the campus, system, state, and federal levels as part of a panel discussion to highlight the perspectives of program support staff and other stakeholders.

Speakers:

  • Dr. Lucrecia Santibañez, Co-Faculty Director, UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools
  • Dr. Kenyon Whitman, Assistant Professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Faculty Affiliate, UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools
  • Dr. Maria Luz Espino, Research Analyst, UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools
  • Demontea Thompson, Doctoral Researcher, UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools
  • Debbie Raucher, Director of Education, John Burton Advocates for Youth
  • Dr. Sara Gamez, Director of Student Support & Equity Programs, Cal Poly Pomona
  • Ray Murillo, Director of Student Programs, CSU Chancellor’s Office
  • Dr. Kizzy Lopez, Assistant Professor, Fresno Pacific University; Founding Coordinator, Renaissance Scholars Program at CSU, Fresno
Apr 12, 2023

Join us for a discussion of the 2023 priority legislation and budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year intended to provide additional support for children and caregivers served by our child welfare system.

The Alliance for Children’s Rights, joined by California Alliance of Children and Family Services, California Coalition for Youth, California Tribal Families Coalition, Children’s Law Center of California, Children Now, County Welfare Directors Association of California and John Burton Advocates for Youth, will provide an overview of legislative and budget proposals promoting stability for youth in care. Panelists will discuss proposals supporting caregivers, young children, and older youth in foster care.

Apr 26, 2023

College affordability has reached a crisis point with large numbers of students struggling to meet their basic needs. With basic needs centers proliferating across California’s postsecondary institutions, the need for collaboration across offices, in particular with financial aid, is paramount.

This webinar will present the findings from a report from John Burton Advocates for Youth highlighting opportunities for enhanced collaboration and coordination across financial aid and basic needs offices to better support college students in accessing the resources they need to succeed.

In addition to reviewing the report recommendations, the webinar will feature representatives from LA Pierce College and Stanislaus State who will share about innovative approaches to collaboration taking place at their campuses.

Read the Report

May 25, 2023

Please attend an event featuring author and former foster youth David Ambroz on Thursday, May 25th at 6:00 p.m. at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco.

David will read from his memoir A Place Called Home. JBAY Executive Director Amy Lemley will interview David and moderate the Q&A.

The program will be from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a book signing and reception.

Complimentary tickets will be available for youth and student attendees. For questions, please contact Jeffrey Lee at jeffrey@jbay.org.