SACRAMENTO – The California Community Colleges has announced the expansion of the NextUp program to 15 additional California community colleges.

NextUp, formerly known as Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support, or CAFYES, gives current and former California foster youth extra support when pursuing their higher education goals at a local community college.

“Students in foster care often face a more challenging path to higher education than many of their peers,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley. “Expanding this important program to more colleges will give more foster youth the tools they need to succeed in college and help them accomplish their higher educational goals.”

NextUp was initially established through the enactment of Senate Bill 1023 (2014). Senate Bill 12 (2017) allows the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges to expand the number of community college districts operating NextUp, depending on available funding.

NextUp promotes academic success by using an in-person, individual approach when offering support and services, including books and supplies, child care, counseling and career guidance, educational planning, emergency housing assistance, food assistance, health services, life skills, financial literacy, mental health services, transportation assistance and tutoring. Support and services vary by college.

The additional 15 NextUp programs:

Butte-Glenn Community College District
Butte College

Los Rios Community College District
American River College
Cosumnes River College
Folsom Lake College
Sacramento City College

Kern Community College District
Bakersfield College
Cerro Coso Community College
Porterville College

Chaffey Community College District
Chaffey Community College

Riverside Community College District
Moreno Valley College
Norco College
Riverside City College

San Diego Community College District
San Diego City College
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego Miramar College

More information can be found on the NextUp Web site, including statewide resources for California foster youth to help them understand what NextUp offers and connect them with a NextUp program.

The Student Services and Special Programs Division of the California Community College Chancellor’s Office administers NextUp.