ARTICLE 7. Support Services for Foster Youth Attending Community College [79220. - 79228.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 7.

in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 79220. Section 79220.

(a) The office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges may enter into agreements with community college districts to provide, and allocate to selected community colleges within a community college district, funds for services in support of postsecondary education for foster youth. This program shall be known as NextUp, 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 under 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 described in Section 78212, services shall include, when appropriate, but not necessarily be limited to, outreach and recruitment, consultation and eligibility verification, consultation and referrals for students deemed ineligible, service coordination, counseling, book and supply grants, tutoring, independent living and financial literacy skills support, frequent in-person contact, career guidance, transfer counseling, childcare and transportation assistance, and referrals to health services, mental health services, housing assistance, and other related services. (b) The program may provide all services specified in subdivision (a), and direct financial support, to enrolled students who meet all eligibility requirements but whose courses have not yet commenced, and who have completed required matriculation activities as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 78212, if those services are necessary to enable the student to be successful upon the commencement of the academic term. (c) As used in this article, “program” means a NextUp program as may be established under subdivision (a).

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 79221. Section 79221.

(a) A community college district that wishes to participate in this program shall submit a letter of interest to participate to the board of governors for funding pursuant to this article. An interested community college district shall certify 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 the number of requests to participate exceeds the funding made available for the program, the board of governors shall prioritize the apportionment of funding to community colleges based on the number of eligible students and geographical equity.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 79222. Section 79222.

A student participant in the 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 a court of competent jurisdiction, including a tribal court, on or after the youth’s 13th birthday. (b) Be no older than 25 years of age at the commencement of the academic year in which the student first enrolls in the program.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 79223. Section 79223.

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 in at least nine units into the NextUp program. Students enrolled in fewer than nine units may be accepted into the NextUp program if enrollment is part of an education plan designed to move the student toward subsequent enrollment in at least nine units.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 79223.5. Section 79223.5.

All current and former foster youth who meet NextUp eligibility criteria specified in Sections 79222 and 79223 are eligible to enroll in the NextUp program and shall not be required to meet additional eligibility requirements as a condition for enrollment in the NextUp program.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 79224. Section 79224.

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.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 79225. Section 79225.

(a) 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. (b) Regulations adopted by the board of governors shall ensure that program application and enrollment processes implemented by community college districts are streamlined and do not impose barriers to entry.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 79226. Section 79226.

Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, commencing March 31, 2020, 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.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 79227. Section 79227.

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

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 79228. Section 79228.

The board of governors may authorize the chancellor, consistent with the requirements the board may impose, to designate up to 1 percent of the funds allocated pursuant to this article for program administration, program development, and program accountability.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026