May 16, 2018
Paige Marlatt Dorr
Office: 916.327.5356
Cell: 916.601.8005
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Community Colleges today announced the expansion of the NextUp program to 15 additional California community colleges. NextUp, formerly known as CAFYES (Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support) 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 website, 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.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 115 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; degree and certificate pathways; and basic skills education in English and math. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision for Success , a strategic plan designed to improve student success outcomes, increase transfer rates and eliminate achievement gaps. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges web site or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
