“They’re like my second family…”
That is how one student enrolled in the NextUp program described the quality of support staff members provided in a recent evaluation conducted by the Urban Institute.
This was music to our ears at John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY). JBAY sponsored the legislation to establish NextUp in 2014 and has worked closely with the program since, successfully advocating for its expansion to every public college campus in California in 2022.
The Urban Institute evaluation drew its findings from survey data, interviews, and focus groups of staff and students. It found that NextUp programs provide financial assistance along with holistic, individualized, and high-touch case management services that go “above and beyond” other campus supports to meet the needs of foster youth students. A full 80% of foster youth students reported having a positive experience of NextUp campus programs and staff
The reports highlights the critical role that NextUp plays in helping foster youth access resources on campus, assistance many young adults receive from their parents. These resources can include a range of supports and services.
For one student interviewed, help with financial aid was the most helpful. “My program is great at connecting us to the financial aid office. If [a NextUp staff member] doesn’t have the answers, [they] will have someone from the financial aid office sit down to talk to me. It’s way better than going at it alone because the financial aid office doesn’t usually put a lot of effort into helping students.”
Other students face serious challenges, such as homelessness, “I currently live in a homeless shelter. The Uber gift cards really helped me get to and from school. The gift cards for food also helped. Sometimes we struggle with food and it’s hard to focus and do your schoolwork. That’s something that I really like about the program.”
The report also identified areas where the program can be improved. These improvements are the focus of JBAY’s technical assistance with the community college campuses, which has included one-on-one consultation, training and an in-depth implementation toolkit to help campuses.
As part of its recently adopted strategic plan, JBAY will also focus on increasing the number of foster youth prepared to enter post-secondary education. According to JBAY Executive Director Amy Lemley, “At this point, California has a strong, well-resourced network of support for foster youth enrolled in post-secondary education. The emphasis now turns to how more young people can complete high school and be academically prepared for this opportunity.”