STATE OF CALIFORNIA
BRICE W. HARRIS, CHANCELLOR
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES
CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE
1102 Q STREET, SUITE 4554
SACRAMENTO, CA 95811-6549
(916) 445-8752
http://www.cccco.edu
July 27, 2015
TO:
Chief Student Services Officers
FROM:
Denise Noldon, Ph.D.
Interim Vice Chancellor, Student Services and Special Programs
SUBJECT:
Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support Program
The Chancellor’s Office is pleased to announce that funding for implementation of the
Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support (CAFYES) Program was approved in
the final 2015-16 state budget. The Chancellor’s Office will be issuing an Application to
Participate (ATP) in the CAFYES Program in early September 2015, with applications being due
by mid-October 2015.
CAFYES was authorized in September 2014, when Governor Brown signed into law Senate Bill
1023 (Chapter 771, Statutes of 2014). The law allows the Chancellor’s Office to enter into
“agreements with up to 10 community college districts to provide additional funds for services in
support of postsecondary education for foster youth.” CAFYES will be a supplemental
component of the existing Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) program. The
purpose of the program is to strengthen the capacity of community college districts to support
the higher education success, health and well-being of some of the nearly 13,000 current and
former foster youth who are enrolled in California’s community colleges. The budget provides
up to $15 million for the program during in 2015-16 and is expected to continue in future years.
Shortly after distributing the ATP the Chancellor’s Office will hold a webinar for interested
parties; we will also be developing a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for
distribution during the application development time frame. Our plans include ATP review by
early November, with recommendations of up to 10 districts going to the Board of Governors at
the November 16-17, 2015, meeting for approval.
The Chancellor’s Office encourages colleges/districts interested in this opportunity to begin
discussions with your EOPS/Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) offices,
Foster Youth Success Initiative liaisons, Foster and Kinship Care Education representatives,
students, county welfare and county probation partners, community partners and other
stakeholders in order to develop a strong application for funding. Program services may
include, but are not limited to: outreach and recruitment, service coordination, counseling, book
and supply grants, tutoring, independent living and financial literacy skills support, frequent inperson contact, career guidance, transfer counseling, child care and transportation assistance,
and referrals to health services, housing assistance and other related services.
Although the Chancellor’s Office is not able to respond individually to questions about the
CAFYES program during the ATP cycle, we do want to hear your questions to help us prepare
for the webinar and to develop the questions for the FAQ we will release shortly after the
webinar. Please send your questions in writing to cafyes@cccco.edu.
cc:
EOPS/CARE Coordinators
Financial Aid Directors
Foster Youth Success Initiative Liaisons
Foster and Kinship Care Education Instructional Specialists