Teaming for College Success: Supporting Foster Youth with Postsecondary Matriculation

To address low rates of college completion among foster youth, the California legislature adopted Senate Bill 12 (SB 12), which 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 webinar explored best practices for implementing SB 12 requirements and increasing foster youth postsecondary success. Webinar panelists included representatives from the County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children’s Services, and a young adult with lived experience in foster care. The webinar highlighted new resources, including guidance and checklists for education-focused Child and Family Teams (CFTs) and training curricula for social workers, probation officers, and caregivers on supporting foster youths’ college and career aspirations.