Teaming for College Success

Foster youth have long endured myriad challenges reaching their postsecondary educational goals. While nearly 88 percent of foster youth indicate a desire to attend college, more than half report not receiving enough assistance with college planning. To address this concern and the low rate of college completion, the California legislature adopted Senate Bill 12 (SB 12), which went into effect on January 1, 2018.

SB 12 requires child welfare and juvenile probation agencies to indicate in the case plans of all foster youth ages 16 and older at least one designated support person who will assist them with college and financial aid applications. This publication and corresponding resources provide child welfare and probation agencies with practical strategies to implement SB 12 requirements and increase foster youth postsecondary success. Many of the strategies and resources outlined throughout the publication were developed and piloted in partnership with child welfare and probation agencies across California and can be modified to meet local needs.