Project 3,500: How Two State Programs Increased Housing Supports for Former Foster Youth in California
In 2021, JBAY embarked on Project 3,500 with the goal of expanding state resources for housing to reach at least 3,500 youth. California has made new investments in housing for youth leaving the foster care system, acknowledging the increased risk of homelessness and disproportionate impact of the state’s housing crisis on this population. As a […]
High School Counselor FAFSA/CADAA Toolkits
These toolkits are designed to support high school counselors working with students with experience in foster care or homelessness in completing their FAFSA/CADAA applications. The toolkits provides a step-by-step checklist, resources, and key definitions to support counselors in connecting students to critical financial aid. [Updated November 2024.] Foster Youth Toolkit Students Experiencing Homelessness Toolkit SHARE […]
Paying for College as a Student with Foster Care History: Findings and Recommendations from Discussions with Students in California
Foster youth continue to lag far behind their peers when it comes to college completion, and college affordability has long been cited as the most common barrier that foster youth face. In recognition of the multitude of disadvantages that these students often confront, the 2023-24 state budget included additional funding for the Middle Class Scholarship […]
College Costs Uncovered: An Examination of the Accuracy of College Cost of Attendance Budgets and Implications for Student Success.
It is without question that college is unaffordable for many students, particularly those with the least resources. While crucial work is being done to expand the availability of financial aid, a less understood issue is how higher education institutions approach setting cost of attendance (COA) budgets, which impact how much financial aid students can receive. […]
Gaining Momentum: How the Foster Youth Tax Credit Performed in 2024
In the fall of 2021, JBAY proposed the creation of a new tax credit specifically for foster youth in California: the Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC). With the support of former State Controller Betty Yee, Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Legislature, this new tax credit was included in the FY 2022-23 state budget, […]
Best Practices for Local Administration of Federal Housing Vouchers for Former Foster Youth in California
This resource provides county child welfare agencies and Public Housing Authorities with recommended best practices for local administration of special purpose Housing Choice Vouchers for former foster youth. These vouchers are available through the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative and the Family Unification Program (FUP). FYI/FUP vouchers are administered by the U.S. Department of […]
Strategic Plan 2025-2027
We are excited to share John Burton Advocates for Youth’s (JBAY) road map for the next three years, and beyond, and invite you to be part of this important change. This plan was developed through a collaborative process that engaged our full range of partners: youth, nonprofit service providers, foundation and individual supporters, elected officials, […]
A Look at NextUp Implementation in California: A Qualitative Research Study
NextUp seeks to provide support and services to students in California community colleges who have foster care history. The NextUp program began in 2014 and has grown over time. Most recently, the 2022–23 California budget expanded California’s investment in the program, allowing all but one of the 116 community colleges in the state to receive […]
2024 Survey of County Child Welfare Agencies: Impact of the Proposed Elimination of the Housing Navigation & Maintenance Program
This publication summarizes findings of a survey administered to county child welfare agencies that partner with their local Public Housing Authority to provide special population Housing Choice Vouchers to former foster youth. The purpose of the survey was to determine the potential impact of the proposed elimination of the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program in […]