Who are Foster Youth?
Foster youth are children who have been removed from the care and custody of their biological parent(s) by the Juvenile Court due to abuse and/or neglect. They are then placed into foster homes, group homes or homes of relatives.
How You Can Help
- Identify foster youth at your school and advocate for stable, high-quality educational placements to keep school transfers to a minimum.
- Connect with the Foster Youth Services (FYS) liaison in your school district or the Foster Youth Success Initiative liaison on community college campuses.
- Stress rigorous academic preparation to complete the A-G requirements and get them on the college track early.
- Help foster youth prepare for standardized tests.
- Prepare and encourage your students to pursue higher education and track their progress closely.
- Support foster youth in choosing, applying for and enrolling in college.
- Ensure students apply for adequate financial aid including scholarships.
- Refer students to information and programs (e.g. financial aid, EOP, advising program, career center).
Facts About Foster Care
- Approximately 800,000 children in the United States are living in foster care
- 24,000 will exit the foster care system each year
- 75,000 youth are in foster care in California
- 50% will still have not earned a high school diploma 2 to 4 years after leaving care
- Only 10% will enroll in postsecondary education
- Only 3% will complete a degree