Community colleges: Current and former foster youth support: NextUp.
Impact
The revisions brought about by SB 885 significant implications for the delivery of educational services to foster youth. By allowing more community college districts to participate in the NextUp Program, the bill aims to increase the number of students who can receive vital services such as counseling, tutoring, financial literacy support, and assistance with childcare and housing. Additionally, the bill enables students enrolled in fewer than nine units to be accepted if their educational plan aligns with future full-time enrollment, thus offering more flexible pathways for foster youth pursuing higher education.
Summary
Senate Bill 885, introduced by Senator Laird, amends various sections of the Education Code to enhance support for current and former foster youth in the context of public postsecondary education. Specifically, the bill renames the existing Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support Program to 'NextUp' and expands its authorization by removing the restriction of only 20 community college districts being eligible to participate. This change is aimed at facilitating greater access to educational resources and support services for foster youth across a wider range of community colleges in California.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SB 885 appears to be positive, especially among advocates for foster youth and educational reform. Supporters believe that the expansion of the NextUp program is a crucial step towards addressing the unique challenges faced by foster youth as they transition into adulthood. However, there remains an undercurrent of concern about the adequacy of funding and resources allocated to ensure the program's implementation effectively meets its newly enhanced objectives.
Contention
Despite the overall support for the bill, some voices have raised concerns regarding its financial implications, particularly regarding the potential strain on community colleges and the adequacy of funding models. Questions about how funds will be allocated, particularly with the changes in the percentage allocated for program administration and accountability, could indicate challenges ahead. These discussions highlight an ongoing tension between the need for expanded support for foster youth and the realities of budgetary constraints within the educational system.