REACH Program

Our role at REACH is to:

• Provide a safe and warm welcome to our foster youth
• Advocate and serve as your ally
• Connect you with campus resources
• Provide one-on-one assistance to you
• Connect you with resources within the community such as housing and employment

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On Campus Resources:

• Snacks
• Computer Lab
• Free Printing
• Field Trips
• Workshops
• Book Loans
• Equipment Loan
• Study Area
• Or just a place to come and hang out and meet people

• You must be a current foster youth receiving care, a former foster youth, adopted, Kin-GAP/Guardianship or have “aged out”. Verification is required.
• REACH can help you get proper documentation.

The REACH office is a one-stop drop in center that welcomes you Monday thru Friday! Some of the things we offer are:

• Snacks
• Computers
• Free Printing
• Activities
• Study Area
• Or just a place to come and hang out and meet people!

Below is a list of additional resources you may find helpful.

• AB12- Extended foster care until age 21 http://www.cafosteringconnections.org/
• Housing Resource- Housing programs available for foster youth http://thpplus.org/
• Medi-Cal/ Covered till 26- Free Medi-Cal coverage in California if you were in foster care in any state at age 18 or older. http://coveredtil26.childrennow.org/faq
• CalFresh- monthly benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels. http://www.cdss.ca.gov/food-nutrition/calfresh
• Independent Living Program (ILP) assists current and former foster youth between the ages of 16 and 21 to achieve self-sufficiency prior to, and after, exiting the foster care system. (Link to your local ILP contact)
• John Burton Foundation a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of California’s homeless and foster youth by developing and implementing policy solutions. jbaforyouth.org
• California College Pathways is a statewide partnership that provides resources and leadership to campuses and community organizations to help foster youth succeed at community colleges and four-year universities. cacollegepathways.org
• IFoster creates partnerships with existing business and develops resources for foster youth. ifoster.org

• Book Loan Application Form
• Equipment Loan Application Form

The REACH Program can help you with the following:

• Priority Registration
• Applying for the Chafee Grant
• Assist in completing the financial aid application process including filling out the FAFSA, and the Board of Governors Fee Waiver
• Text book assistance
• Workshops and Conferences
• Housing Resources
• Mentoring and Support
• Assistance with supplies
• College campus tours
• Counseling Resources (Both Academic and Mental Health)
• Foster Youth Student Activities

REACH can help you in applying and researching scholarships and grants that can help to cover the cost of educational expenses. Below is list of resources available to help you learn of the various types of financial aid support. If you have any questions, REACH can help.

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is designed to help meet direct educational expenses including tuition, books, supplies and costs associated with attending college. To complete your application, please visit https://fafsa.ed.gov/
• Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) awards current and former foster youth, who qualify, up to $5000 to help pay for college or career/technical training programs. https://www.chafee.csac.ca.gov/
• California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) provides California specific financial assistance for students. To find out what resources are available, visit csac.ca.gov
• I Can Afford College is a financial aid awareness initiative for students. icanaffordcollege.com
• Federal Student Financial Assistance- Do you have specific questions about the process of applying for FAFSA? Want to learn more about the various types of financial assistance available? This site can answer all financial aid related questions. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/
• FYSI: College and Financial Aid Resources for Students a step-by-step manual on how to apply and enroll in a community college

• Foster Youth Ombudsman investigates complaints about stat and local agencies regarding foster care.
  www.fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov
• California Youth Connection provides a vehicle for California foster youth to learn leadership and advocacy skills to engage directly with policymakers to improve the foster care system calyouthconn.org
• Fostering Media Connections harnesses the power of journalism to advance child welfare and juvenile justice reform by covering emerging solutions to the systems’ challenges. https://fosteringmediaconnections.org