Resources

This webinar, hosted by John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY), provided an in-depth exploration of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies and their implications for equity in higher education. The session highlighted findings from JBAY’s multi-year research, including the “Overlooked Obstacle” reports, which revealed how strict SAP requirements disproportionately impact low-income and minoritized students, particularly foster youth and students of color. Key topics included the challenges of maintaining financial aid under SAP standards, the role of AB 789 in standardizing SAP policies across California institutions, and the results of JBAY’s audits of institutional compliance with AB 789. The webinar also shared insights from a comprehensive dataset of California Community Colleges, exploring SAP, financial aid retention, and graduation outcomes for Pell Grant, Cal Grant B, and CCPG recipients.

This practitioner brief, published in August 2025 by John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY), examines the impact of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies on community college students, particularly low-income, students of color, and foster youth. SAP standards, which require students to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and complete courses on time to retain financial aid, often act as hidden barriers to student success. The report highlights disparities in SAP compliance, with students of color, foster youth, and academically disadvantaged groups facing the steepest challenges. It also explores the outcomes of Pell Grant, Cal Grant B, and California College Promise Grant (CCPG) recipients, emphasizing the need for equity-focused interventions to prevent aid loss and improve graduation rates. The brief underscores the importance of early support, culturally responsive advising, and flexible financial aid policies to address systemic inequities.

This webinar provided a virtual policy update for California stakeholders on the federal Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) voucher program, joined by a representative from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Despite sweeping federal cuts, funding remains for FYI vouchers, which provide 3-5 years of subsidized rent coupled with supportive services to former foster youth. The webinar reviewed the status of FYI at the federal level, the role of the program in California, and April 2025 HUD guidance which introduced reforms to improve access and flexibility.

This roster helps youth-serving stakeholders get involved in local Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) planning. The roster includes contact information for the individual in each county responsible for coordinating the development of the three-year Integrated Plan, which must include community input.

This guide walks young adults through important steps after filing their taxes, including checking their refund status, setting up payment plans if needed, troubleshooting issues such as identity theft, or someone incorrectly claiming them on their tax return.

Between 2021 and 2024, California’s capacity to serve former foster youth through supportive transitional housing and federal housing vouchers has increased by 70%, reaching more than 3,700 youth at a moment in time. This report discusses this increase in capacity, related findings and recommendations.

Between 2021 and 2024, California’s capacity to provide former foster youth with transitional housing and housing vouchers increased by 70%, reaching more than 3,700 youth at a point in time as of 2024. This report analyzes this expansion, making findings and offering recommendations for counties and the state.

This webinar provided county child welfare agencies and their community partners with information and resources to assist non-minor dependents and former foster youth with filing their taxes and claiming the California Foster Youth Tax Credit, worth up to $1,154 in 2025.

This virtual training provided college campus personnel with information to assist students with experience in foster care with filing their taxes and claiming the California Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC). Presenters provided background of the FYTC, and an overview of outreach materials, strategies to educate students about tax filing and how to prepare, and resources to file for free with support.