Article 7. Support Services For Foster Youth Attending Community College of California Education Code >> Division 7. >> Title 3. >> Part 48. >> Chapter 9. >> Article 7.

The Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges may enter into agreements with up to 10 community college districts to provide additional funds for services in support of postsecondary education for foster youth. This program shall be known as the Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support Program, and shall expand the number of students participating in the Community College Extended Opportunity Programs and Services and shall not displace other students. The funding provided pursuant to this article shall be separate and apart from the funding provided under existing cooperative agencies resources for education programs pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 79150). In addition to the delivery of Student Success and Support Program services, as defined in Section 78212, services shall include, when appropriate, but not necessarily be limited to, outreach and recruitment, service coordination, counseling, book and supply grants, tutoring, independent living and financial literacy skills support, frequent in-person contact, career guidance, transfer counseling, child care and transportation assistance, and referrals to health services, mental health services, housing assistance, and other related services.

(a) A community college district that wishes to participate in this program shall apply to the board of governors for funding pursuant to this article. The application of each participating community college district shall provide the estimated number of foster youth who will be served. The application shall also describe the extent of cooperation between the local county child welfare department, the county probation department, the local educational opportunity programs and services program, and the district to ensure that services provided under this article to eligible youth are coordinated with, and do not supplant, other services provided by the county and state.
  (b) If more than 10 community college districts apply for funding under the program, the board of governors shall give priority to those districts with the higher number of eligible students.

A student participant in this program shall meet both of the following requirements:
  (a) Be a current or former foster youth in California whose dependency was established or continued by the court on or after the youth's 16th birthday.
  (b) Be no older than 25 years of age at the commencement of any academic year in which he or she participates in the program.

The board of governors shall adopt regulations that authorize the director of the Community College Extended Opportunity Programs and Services at each community college to accept students who are enrolled for at least nine units into this program.

It is the intent of the Legislature that, consistent with the requirements and intent outlined in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 78215, and to the extent that a participating community college meets the responsibilities outlined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 78212, any student who participates in the program pursuant to this article participate in the program of services outlined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 78212.

The board of governors, in consultation with the State Department of Social Services, shall adopt regulations for the program. The board of governors shall be responsible for the administration of funds for the program. To the extent possible, the State Department of Social Services, in consultation with the County Welfare Directors Association of California, the Chief Probation Officers of California, and other advocates, shall consult with the chancellor's office to ensure that services provided under this article to eligible youths are coordinated with, and do not supplant, other services provided by the county and state.

Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, commencing March 31, 2018, and every two years thereafter, the board of governors shall submit a report to the Governor, the education policy committees of the Legislature, and the California Child Welfare Council describing its efforts to serve students who are current and former foster youth. These biennial reports shall also include a review on a campus-by-campus basis of the enrollment, retention, transfer, and completion rates of foster youth, including categorical funding of those programs. The reports shall also include recommendations on whether and how the program under this article can be expanded to all community college districts and campuses.

This article shall be operative in a fiscal year only if funds have been appropriated for purposes of this article for that fiscal year.

The board of governors may authorize the chancellor, consistent with the requirements the board may impose, to designate up to 2 percent of the funds allocated pursuant to this article for program administration.

The board of governors may authorize the chancellor, consistent with the requirements the board may impose, to designate up to 3 percent of the funds allocated pursuant to this article for program development and program accountability.