Foster Youth Success Initiative

Angelica Arauza
Guardian Scholars 
arauza@lasc.edu
323-241-5298 

Naomi Hobayan
Next Up 
hobayan@lasc.edu

NextUp Program Requirements

• Be enrolled in at least 9 units
• Current or former foster youth in California whose dependency was established or continued on or after their 13th birthday
• Provide a court verification letter
• Be under the age of 26

Guardian Scholars Program:

• Current or former foster youth with proof of a Foster Care Verification Form
• Currently enrolled in at least 3 units
• Maintain a GPA of a minimum of 2.0

• Priority Registration
• Scholarship assistance
• Financial Aid
• Academic and Personal Counseling
• Life Skills Workshops
• Educational & Community
• Enrichment Activities
• Computer Lab

David Sigala Gomez
Next Up/ CAFYES 
dsigalagomez@pasadena.edu
626-658-8075

Geyene Chechyan
Financial Aid
626-585-7987

• Apply and be admitted to the EOP&S program
• Be enrolled in at least 9 units
• Have a dependency established or continued by the court on or after your 13th birthday
• No older than 25 years of age at the beginning of the academic year

• College Applications
• Foster Youth Program Applications
• FAFSA/CADAA
• Housing Applications
• EOP&S; CAL FRESH scholarships, grants, child care
• EOP&S NextUp Counselor
• Financial Assistance
• Additional funds for books, school supplies, meals, transportation, and housing
• Tutoring Services
• Specialized Workshops
• College Tours and Student
• Conferences
• Study Abroad opportunities
• Vendor cards (Target, Walmart, grocery rstores, Uber, gas cards and fast-food chain cards
• Housing referrals available through Housing Navigator
• Housing available during summer and winter break

N/A

Tosin Williams 
owilliams@compton.edu
310-900-1600 ext. 2025

EOPS Contact
310-900-1600 ext. 2912

• Current or former foster youth students at GCC
• Required: Ward of the court letter
• Enrolled in credit classes at GCC
• Submit a completed EOPS application
• Attend an intake meeting with a Foster Youth Support Program counselor

Once admitted, complete these 3 program requirements each semester:

• One 30-minute appointment with an academic counselor
• One progress check

Attend one workshop or event during the semester

• College Applications
• Foster Youth Program Applications
• FAFSA/CADAA
• EOP&S
• Formerly Incarcerated Students in
• Transition Program

Nick Bravo 
EOPS/ FYS Counselor
nbravo@glendale.edu
818-240-1000 ext. 5571

• Placement in a relative or non-relative foster home
• Placement in a group home or other institutional care setting
• Placement in a transitional living arrangement (for example, THP-M, THPP, THP+FC/NMD, or THP+)
• Dependent / Non-minor dependent or ward of the court
• Probation youth as Ward of Court
• Subject to a legal guardianship or voluntary placement agreement (“VPA”)
• Extended foster care (also referred to as “AB12”)
• Determined to be a dependent by a trial court of an Indian tribe, consortium of tribes, or tribal organization
• Meet McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness

• Academic, financial aid, transfer and career counseling
• Student Educational Plan development
• Community events and enrichment activities
• A stronger sense of belonging
• Opportunities to build community at GCC
• Supportive environment to achieve academic and personal goals
• Financial assistance for groceries
• Bookstore credit to purchase books
• Transportation support, including TAP cards, parking permits or gas cards
• Textbook and technology loans
• Housing referrals to campus and county resources as needed

N/A

Jeze Lopez 
jlopez164@mtsac.edu 
909-274-6556

Marlene Sandoval
Financial Aid msandoval@mtsac.edu
909-274-5685

Program Contact
nextupreach@mtsac.edu

• Current and former foster youth, McKinney-Vento and unaccompanied minors
• Verification Letter or Paperwork (dependency letter/ward of court document, McKinney-
• Vento document)
• No age limit; rolling admissions

• College Applications
• Foster Youth Program Applications
• FAFSA/CADAA
• Housing Applications
• EOP&S
• Housing referrals are available

Deborah Lopez – NextUp/Guardian Scholars
dvlopez@riohondo.edu
562-463-7315

Zoe Lozano
zlozano@riohondo.edu
562-908-3435

Guardian Scholars Eligibility:

• In foster care at ANY age, for ANY amount of time
• Obtain an official “Ward-of-the-Court” letter and submit to our team

NextUp Eligibility:

• In foster care after the age of 13
• Currently under the age of 26
• Obtain official “Ward-of-the-Court” letter and submit to our team

• Specialized, dedicated counselors to plan and help achieve educational goals
• Assistance with funds to purchase textbooks.
• Transportation vouchers such as Uber and gas cards
• Workshops on financial literacy, employment, daily living skills, and career exploration
• Fieldtrips to 4-year Universities
• Cultural and Social field trips
• Weekend Retreat in the Mountains
• Bi-Weekly Resilience Support Group with
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Need-Based Grants
• One-Stop Center with free snacks, food, and a sense of community

N/A

Cristina Gutierrez
Next Up 
jcgutierrez@lbcc.edu
562-938-3218

Andreina Lucero
Guardian Scholars alucero@lbcc.edu
562-938-3273

• Priority registration/ Financial aid application
• Specialized counseling
• Workshops and events
• Access to book loans and school supplies
• Basic needs support/ housing referral
• Access to Student Lounge - snacks, printing, Wi-Fi, & laptop access
• Gift cards and grants as funding permits

N/A

Evelyn Garcia/ Dora Lozano
inspirescholars@canyons.edu

Karin Fredrickson
Financial Aid, Chaffee Grants
karin.fredrickson@canyons.edu

Center for Scholars Contact
661-362-3676

INSPIRE and NextUp Requirements

• Ward of the Court letter
• A Separate Application is needed for Inspire Scholars/NextUp Program

INSPIRE Scholars Requirements

• Foster Youth in care at any time, up to age 35
• No unit enrollment minimum

NextUp Requirements:

• Current or former foster youth whose dependency was established on or after the youth’s 13th birthday
• No older than 25 years of age
• 9-unit enrollment minimum or College of the Canyons educational plan that shows the student plans to enroll

• Academic & Career Counseling
• Financial Assistance (Need-Based grants, Books, supplies, etc.)
• Specialized workshops and events
• College Applications
• Foster Youth Program Applications
• FAFSA/CADAA
• Housing Applications
• Connect them to contacts to help with Medi-Cal, CalFresh applications

N/A

Debra Joseph-Locke
Guardian Scholars
locke_debra@smc.edu
310-434-4519

Raul Enciso
Next Up/ Guardian Scholars
enciso_raul@smc.edu
310-434-8051

Ma’isha Reid
EOPS/ Foster Support Services
reid_maisha@smc.edu
fosterservices@smc.edu

Financial Aid
financialaid@smc.edu
310-434-4343

• Be in foster care on or after 13th birthday (FY Verification form must be submitted)
• No older than 25 years of age upon entering SMC’s NextUp Program
• Be enrolled in classes at SMC

N/A

Kristen Johnson
EOPS
310-660-3593 x. 6052

•  Apply to ECC.
• Must be a current or former foster youth. [Documentation can include a Dependency Verification/ Ward of Court Letter from the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) or your Social/Community Worker.]
• Submission of FAFSA or CADAA.

• College Applications;
• Foster Youth Program Applications;
• FAFSA/CADAA
• EOP
• Housing Applications

Carrie Apolonio
apolonci@lacitycollege.edu
323-953-4000 ext.2007

Marcela Vega
EOPS
novoasg@lacitycollege.edu
323-953-4000 ext. 2306

• Guardian Scholars- current/former foster youth of any age, at least one enrolled class
• NextUp- in foster care of age 13 or over, under 26 at start of the semester, 1 class minimum
• CA Resident

• Academic, guidance, and personal counseling
• Tutoring
• Transfer/Career counseling
• Book and supply grants
• Independent Living and Financial Literacy Skills Support
• Emergency loans (if approved by the Chancellor's office)
• Unmet Need grants (if budget permits)
• Child care assistance (if budget permits)
• Transportation assistance
• Meal voucher and/or emergency food support

Ngan Mork
Associate Dean of Student Services
morknt@piercecollege.edu

Program Contact
guardianscholars@piercecollege.edu
818-712-2656

• Be enrolled in one unit
• Been in foster care since age 13 and/or up

• College Applications
• Foster Youth Program Applications
• FAFSA/CADAA
• EOP
• Housing Applications

Tracye Jones
NextUp
jonest13@wlac.edu

• Be enrolled in/working towards 9 LACCD units with at least 3 WLAC units (DSPS = 6 units)
• Current or former foster youth in California whose dependency was established or continued on or after their 13th birthday
• Provide a court verification letter
• Be under the age of 26
• Have WLAC as home school/campus

• Academic Advisement
• Access to Computers
• Assistance with course enrollment
• Assistance with Financial Aid &
• CHAFEE
• Career Counseling
• Community-Based Referrals and
• Resources
• Employment Assistance
• Housing Referrals
• Independent Living Program (ILP)
• Meal Assistance
• Mental Health Referrals
• Mentoring
• Network Building
• Priority Registration
• Student drop-in center
• Student Success Workshops
• Transportation Assistance
• Textbook Assistance
• Tutoring
• University Field Trips
• Additional Book Voucher
• NextUp cash grants
• Specialized workshops
• Additional services as needed/available

Bridget Vu
brvu@gwc.cccd.edu
657-278-2389

Center for Scholars Contact
657-278-3458 

Guardian Scholars Eligibility :

• Be in foster care for at least 1 day in the student's life
• Under the age of 35 when admitted to the program
• Enrolled in 9+ units
• CA Resident, or AB540eligible
• Foster Care Dependency Verification

• Academic, career, and personal counseling
• Additional textbook services provided
• Associated Student Body fee paid
• Educational supply voucher
• Material and health fees paid
• Monthly gas cards or bus passes
• Referrals for housing, transportation, and clothing
• Snack/hygiene pantry
• Unmet Need Grants
• Emergency grants (Limitations apply)
• Students will be informed of any additional or new services

Nexy Gavidia
Program Coordinator
ngavidia@cccd.edu

Tanya De La Cruz
tdelacruz5@occ.cccd.edu

• Current or former Foster Youth/ Ward of Court
• Under the age of 26 at the start of the academic year
• Resided in an out-of-home placement on or after 13th birthday
• Enrolled in at least 1 unit at OCC

• College Onboarding -  application, financial aid, registration
• Financial Resources – textbook awards, fee payment, transportation assistance, emergency grants
• Academic Counseling – major exploration, student education plan, transfer
• Drop-in Center

EOPS/CARE/Next Up
sceops@saddleback.edu
949-582-4620

• Be a current or former foster youth in care at age 13 or older
• Be enrolled or planning to enroll in courses at Saddleback College
• Be under 26 years

• $7,500 to get them started in college
• Backpack with educational supplies
• Priority Registration.
• Parking Permit.
• All course materials paid (with proof of course registration).
• Personalized counseling and much more...

Dione Washington
Program Director
washindk@latcc.edu

• Current or former foster youth in California with court dependency established or continued on or after their 13th birthday
• Under 26 years old at the start of the academic year to participate in NextUp
• Students who joined NextUp before turning 26, disenrolled, and later returned may be readmitted
• Enrolled in at least 1 unit and working toward 9 units with an educational plan (DSPS students may take fewer units if approved)

• Over and above specialized counseling
• Next Up workshops/activities
• Book and supply grant
• Welcome Kit upon entry into the program
• Monthly meal tickets
• Cash Grant every Fall and Spring semester
• Basic needs support, housing resources
• Access to Lift Career Services and Program Mentorship support
• Next Up English and Math Tutors
• Course Counseling
• Field trips
• Access to the NextUp Lounge with:
• Free snacks
• Printing
• Wi-Fi
• Clothing
• Personal hygiene items
• Laptop access

Jorge Razo
Guardian Scholars
jrazo@citruscollege.edu
626-857-4028

Sara Gonzales
Tapia EOPS
ceopands@citruscollege.edu
626-914-8555

Mikisha Deason
Next Up
mdeason@citruscollege.edu
626-823-8024

Eduardo Lopez
EOPS/CARE
elopez@citruscollege.edu

Denise Luna
Financial Aid
dluna@citruscollege.edu
626-963-6323

Program Contact
626-914-8555
eopands@citruscollege.edu

Guardian Scholars Requirements:

• Current or Former Foster Youth

  NextUp Requirements:

• In foster care on or after their 13th birthday and are under age 26=
• Enrolled in at least one class

Guardian Scholars:

• College Applications
• Foster Youth Program Applications
• FAFSA/CADAA
• EOP&S

NextUp:

• Academic guidance and personal
• counseling
• Tutoring services
• Transfer and career employment
• Independent living and financial literacy skill support
• Book/Supply grant
• Work-Study awards
• Emergency awards
• Childcare assistance
• Transportation assistance
• Food security resources
• Health and mental health support

Ivonne Valencia-Meza
Counselor Coordinator for NextUp
ivalenciameza@sdccd.edu
619-388-8772

Marlene Gracia
Student Services Technician for NextUp and FAST Scholars
mgracia001@sdccd.edu
619-388-225

FAST Scholars Requirements:

• Determine your Eligibility: You may qualify for the FAST Scholars program if you meet all the following criteria noted below. 
• Be a current or former foster youth. The student will need to provide foster care verification.

• Examples: Letter from any of the following categories- Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson, County Child Welfare Agency, County Probation Agency, Independent Living Program, Foster Care Placement Agency, Transitional Housing Program-Plus, County Office of Education Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program, High School District, or a state or county child welfare agency outside of California.

   

• Financial aid campus of record must be San Diego Mesa College. 
• Be enrolled in at least one unit at San Diego Mesa College. Once admitted, students may be encouraged to enroll in more units depending on the design of their education plan.

• No age requirement. If a student is 26 or older at the start of the academic year, their eligibility to receive financial aid resources from San Diego Mesa College and resources from outside agencies may be limited.

   

  NextUp Requirements:

   

• Be a current or former foster youth whose dependency was established or continued on or after the youth's 13^th birthday. The student will need to provide foster care verification. 
• Examples: Letter from any of the following categories- Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson, County Child Welfare Agency, County Probation Agency, Independent Living Program, Foster Care Placement Agency, Transitional Housing Program-Plus, County Office of Education Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program, High School District, or a state or county child welfare agency outside of California. 

• The financial aid campus of record must be San Diego Mesa College.  
• Be enrolled in at least nine units at San Diego Mesa College. Students enrolled in fewer than nine units may be accepted into the program if enrollment is part of an education plan designed to move the student toward subsequent enrollment in at least nine units. Be no older than 25 years of age at the commencement of any academic year in which the student first enrolls in the program. 

• Receive counseling (academic, personal, and career)
• Financial aid support
• Transportation assistance (such as bus passes or gas card
• Food assistance (such as grocery card or Mesa Food Store card
• Specialized workshops
• Access to school supplies

• Be a current or former foster youth whose dependency or wardship was established or continued by the court on or after the youth’s 13th birthday (dependency ward/of the court letter may be required).
• Under the age of 26 at the beginning of the academic year, or a previous NextUp student at another community college.
• Enrolled in at least nine 1 unit with plans to add 9 units for subsequent semesters.
• Have your financial aid established at Miramar College.

• Priority registration  
• Assistance with the FAFSA application, Scholarships, and Chafee Grant Process 
• Academic, career, transfer, and personal counseling
• Educational grants and emergency grants  
• Housing referrals 
• Food and transportation assistance 
• On-Campus Work Study 
• Mentorship 
• Personal Tutoring 
• Invitation to academic and life-skills workshops and social activities

Kyaw Htet
khtet@miracosta.edu
760-795-6680

Cindy Arce
Student Services Coordinator, Academic Success & Equity (ASE) Programs
carce@miracosta.edu

• Must be a current or former Foster Youth
• Participants must attend RAFFY specific orientation, meet monthly with RAFFY Counselor, attend RAFFY approved workshop, and submit a mid-term progress report each semester

• Consistent commitment by highly trained RAFFY program staff.
• Assistance with the MiraCosta College application process.
• Assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Academic Counseling.
• Personal Counseling.
• Assistance with priority acceptance into the Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) application process, which may include:
• Priority registration
• Book services
• Grant assistance
• First-time college student Summer Block Program
• Bus Pass
• Housing referrals.
• Assistance with Medi-Cal applications.
• Referrals to community resources.
• Semester events; Pizza parties, Bowling.

Michelle Montano
mmontano@swccd.edu
619-482-6456

Guardian Scholars Requirements:

• Be a California Resident
• No older than 30 years of age at the start of the academic year
• Eligible for California College Promise Grant (CCPG): Method A1-A3, B, or C
• Be a current or Former Foster Youth (provide a ward of court verification letter)
• Enroll in two or more units

  NextUp Requirements:

• Meets eligibility for the EOPS program 
• Be a California Resident
• No older than 26 years of age at the start of the academic year
• Eligible for California College Promise Grant (CCPG): Method A1-A3, B, or C
• Be a current or Former Foster Youth from the ages of 13-18 (provide a ward of court verification letter)
• Enroll in two or more units

• Personalized academic counseling
• Funds for books, transportation and/or meal cards

Program Contact
citynextup@sdccd.edu
619-388-3209

• Were in foster care, in any state, for at least one day, on or after their 13th birthday. ***Dependency ward/of the court letter may be required
• Under 26 at the beginning of the academic year or previously in NextUp.
• Enrolled in at least (1) class in SDCCD with the plan to add 9 units for the subsequent semester.
• Must reside in California.

• Direct Grants (Must have financial aid at City College)
• Academic, Personal, Career Counseling
• Priority Registration (fall, spring, summer)
• Textbook Assistance (book service)
• Transportation Assistance
• School Supplies
• Grocery Store Cards
• Laptop and Technology Support
• Assistance with FAFSA & Chafee Grant
• Plus, EOPS Services & Benefits*

Heather Sanchez
EOPS/CARE/CalWORKS & Foster Youth Counselor
hsanchez@cmccd.edu
760-366-3791 ext. 589

• Be enrolled at Copper Mountain College
• Be a current or Former Foster Youth
• Submit a fostering success application
• Submit your Dependency Verification Letter (also known as Ward of the Court Letter)

• Priority registration
• Academic/Career/Personal counseling
• Academic support and student accountability
• Parking permit
• Textbook assistance
• Academic supplies
• Meal and gas cards
• Campus and community resources 

Samera Kabir
skabir@barstow.edu

Briann Garcia 
NextUp Student Success Advisor
bgarcia@barstow.edu

Jackie Diaz
FKCE
jdiaz@barstow.edu

• Current or former foster youth whose dependency was established or continued by the court on or after 13th birthday 
• Under 26 years old at the start of the academic year or previously in the NextUp program at another community college
• Enrolled in at least 9 units or more (students in less than 9 students may be accepted into the program if the intent is to enroll in 9 units in a primary semester)

• Priority registration
• Academic and personal counseling
• Textbook assistance
• Weekly grocery cards
• Transportation assistance
• School supplies
• Childcare stipends
• Unmet need grants
• Food assistance
• And more based on program funding

Amber Allen
amber.allen@vvc.edu

• If you were in a foster care placement between the ages of 13 and 18 then you may qualify

• Textbooks and school supplies
• Tutoring
• On-going counseling
• Food
• Transportation
• Emergency housing
• Child care
• Student fee assistance and more

Cynthia Bernal
cbernal@valleycollege.edu

• Been in foster care any time
• Be between the ages of 17-25
• Be a current or prospective SBVC student

• Academic counseling
• Parking permits
• Priority A registration
• Computer Lab
• School supplies
• Workshops
• Housing resources
• Field trips and events

LaTesha Hagler
lhagler@craftonhills.edu
(909) 389-3334

• Be between the ages of 18 to 25 years old.
• Have been in foster care at any time after the age of 13 years old.
• Submit a NextUp Application.
• Submit your Dependency Verification Letter (also known as Ward of the Court Letter).
• Be a current or prospective Crafton Hills College student.

• Caring and supportive staff
• Priority registration
• Academic/Career/Personal Counseling
• Academic Support and Student Accountability
• Payment of semester parking permit
• Book grant to purchase all your textbooks
• Academic supplies
• Gas Cards
• Meal vouchers
• Campus and community resources
• Assistance with completing FAFSA, CHAFEE and other documents
• On-campus workshops
• Off-campus events/field trips 

Bryan Franco
bryan.franco@chaffey.edu
(909) 652-6346

Juanda Scoggins
Juanda.scoggins@chaffey.edu

Independent Scholars Requirements:

• Currently or previously in  out-of-home placemeny

• NextUp Requirements:

  • Working towards enrollment in 9 units
  • Under age 26 at first enrollment
  • In out-of-home placement on/   after 13th birthday

• Priority registration
• Academic and supportive counseling
•  Book and supply assistance
• Food and transportation assistance
• E-card incentives
• Referrals to community and campus resources
• Designated EOPS/NextUp counselor
• Technology support/   Laptop assistance
• Unmet Need Grants
• Emergency Grants
• Childcare reimbursement

Jeremy Johnson
jeremy.johnson@rcc.edu
951-222-8251

Jessika Bohannon
Educational Resource AdvisorJessika.Bohannon@rcc.edu 
951-328-3705

Program Contact
guardian.scholars@rcc.edu

• Between the ages of 18 - 25 years old 
• Been in foster care any time after the age of 13 
• Submit your Dependency Verification Letter (also known as Ward of the Court Letter)
• Be a current or prospective RCC student 

• Applications 
• Registration  
• Financial Aid 
• Emergency Needs  
• Campus & Community Resources  
• Student Educational Plans 
• Community Involvement Opportunities 
• Computer Access 
• Printers  Study Area  
• Cell Phone Chargers  
• Snacks
• Workshops:
• Financial Literacy 
• Reducing Stress
• Healthy Habits

•  Have been enrolled, in any state, for at least one day, on or after their 13^th birthday
• Be enrolled in 9 or more units or be enrolled in at least 1 unit with an education plan that leads to being enrolled in 9 units
• Be no older than 26 years of age at the time of enrollment in the program. Students enrolled in the program prior to turning 26 are allowed to continue participating in the program after the age of 26
• Submit verification letter

• Books and supplies
• Transportation
• Tutoring
• Food
• Emergency housing

Summer Arias
Interim Educational Resources Advisor
Summer.Arias@norcocollege.edu

Azadeh Iglesias
MESA Coordinator
azadeh.iglesias@norcocollege.edu
(951) 738-7743

• Be a current/former foster, unaccompanied homeless youth, or those under kinship/guardianship

• Dedicated program Counselor/Success Coach
• Assistance with application completion
• Educational goal setting
• Peer mentoring
• On-campus food assistance: Coral Card
• College tours and recreational activities
• Textbook vouchers
• Free school supplies

• Be a current or prospective MVC student.
• Be a current or former foster youth.
• Contact Guardian Scholars/EOPS to start your eligibility verification and intake process.

• College application assistance
• Help with moving through the orientation and counseling process
• FAFSA and Chafee Grant applications assistance
• Priority registration
• Financial help: textbooks, supplies, and services related to transportation, housing, or food
• Personalized academic counseling and advising
• Course selection and development of a Student Educational Plan
• Personalized Student Success Coach assistance
• Tutorial services
• Student success workshops
• Referrals to Counseling Services and Student Health & Psychological Services
• University tours and cultural field trips
• Peer mentoring
• Annual Foster Care Awareness Event: Voices and Visions

• Have been in foster care, in any state, for at least one day, on or after their 13th birthday.
• Be enrolled in or plan to enroll in at least nine units, or agree to an education plan with the future goal of enrolling in nine units.
• Be no older than 26 years of age at the start of any academic year in which the student first enrolls in the program; students enrolled in the program prior to turning 26 are allowed to continue participating in the program after the age of 26.

• Books and supplies
• Transportation
• Tutoring
• Food
• Emergency housing