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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