The California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) has recognized that there is a significant education deficit for youth from foster care attending higher education. Acknowledging this need, the CCCCO is sponsoring a concerted effort called the Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI) to bring issues affecting those youth to the forefront; while improving their access to postsecondary education and help them benefit from the support services that are available but often unknown to them.
The vision of the CCCCO is to create a statewide outreach and retention effort to better serve current and former foster youth.
This vision fueled the creation of the FYSI and the goals to improve:
Access to student services and resources
Access to academic support
Academic performance
Completion of units
Completion of programs and degree
Retention
Transfer rates to baccalaureate programs
The Guardian Scholars program is funded by Equity. In addition, we have the Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success (YESS) Program that serves transitional age youth (TAY) ages 16-21 through funding from the California Community College system. The Foundation’s goal is to benefit, support and enhance the California Community College system. With this grant, Santa Ana College is able to work towards their mission of a comprehensive and integrated program that unites community partners and academic leaders to empower foster youth to successfully transition into independent living.
Along with the FYSI, the Santa Ana College Guardian Scholars Program & Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success (YESS) are able to provide resources and services to current and former foster youth Santa Ana College students.
The Guardian Scholars program focuses on:
Academic performance with the objective of self-sufficiency
College degree or certificate completion
Employment
Increasing youth enrollment in tutoring, mentoring, and transition services
Improving youth retention
Life skills training
Permanent connections to caring adults, institutions and programs
Santa Ana College hopes to meet the goals of both of these organizations by providing the following services to qualified students:
Priority Registration
Academic Support Workshops
Specialized Counseling Services/Career Guidance
Financial Aid Information & Assistance
Independent Living Program (ILP) Workshops
Study Skills & Tutoring Services
Transfer Assistance
Meal Vouchers
Connections to Community Partners & Resources
