NextUp and Foster Youth Programs
NextUp
Formerly known as Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support (CAFYES),
NextUp identifies and addresses barriers that current and former foster youth face. NextUp supports
the health and well-being of current and former foster youth students and their academic
success by providing extra “over and above” specialized services.
Apply today!
NextUp Program Flyer
English version
Please click on photo to view the flyer larger and learn about NextUp foster youth
services.Spanish version
Please click on photo to view the flyer larger and learn about NextUp foster youth
services.
Vision
The EOPS/NextUp program is committed to providing a holistic and supportive approach in counseling to our current and former foster youth. We strive to provide an open, understanding, and structured program to assist our students with their academic career and personal goals. Our hope is to connect our youth to support services for foster youth at Chaffey College and act as a liaison to these resources including community-based services.
Services
- Academic and personal counseling
- Priority Registration
- Book and supply grants
- Technology support for online courses
- Unmet need grants
- Tutoring
- Meal assistance
- Transportation assistance
- Emergency grant support
- Guidance 2- Essentials of Student Success NextUp focused course
- Referrals for on-campus and off-campus resources
- Access to on-campus mental health services
- Specialized Workshops
Eligibility Requirements
- Working towards enrollment in 9 units
- Under the age of 26 at time of first enrollment
- In out-of-home placement on/after 13th birthday
Must provide one of the following documents:
- Confirmation of foster youth history by the State Foster Youth Ombudsperson's office via student request. Click link to request form - Verification Request Form, FYH
- Chafee grant eligibility confirmation from the Chaffey College Financial Aid Office
- Priority enrollment based on foster youth status with Admissions and Records Office
- Confirmation by county of placement (either child welfare agency, independent living program or, if applicable, probation agency) via a student-requested letter.
*Your ILP coordinator, current or former social worker, probation officer, or the California Department of Social Services can verify your foster youth eligibility status.
For more information please visit, https://nextup.cccco.edu/.
EOPS Scholars
EOPS Scholars program serves current and former foster youth or emancipated foster youth by providing specialized services and assist students achieve their personal and educational career goals by providing “over and above” support services and resources focused on academic retention and promoting transfer.
Services
- Academic and personal counseling
- Priority registration
- Book Grant
- Emergency supplies for hygiene, transportation and food (depending on grand funding and availability)
- Tutoring
- Meal assistance
- Transportation assistance
- Referrals for on-campus and off-campus resources
- Access to on-campus mental health services
- Specialized Workshops
Eligibility
- Be an EOPS student
- In out-of-home placement (i.e., foster care and/or juvenile justice system) on or after 13th birthday
Must provide one of the following:
- Dependency status letter or county ward of court verification letter from your social worker indicating your status in foster care.
- Any documentation from a social worker or an Independent Living Program social worker stating your dependency status in foster care.
- Any court documents indicating your full name and your dependency status in foster care.
*Your ILP coordinator, current or former social worker, probation officer, or the California Department of Social Services can verify your foster youth eligibility status.
Unified Foster Youth Services Application
Created for current or former foster youth interested in foster youth services offered at Chaffey College and Community partners referring a current or former foster youth to foster youth services at Chaffey College. Apply here
EOPS NextUp Scholars FAQs
NextUp, EOPS Scholars, and Independent Scholars
Program for current and former foster youth that provides unique educational support at Chaffey College. The program supports students as defined in Assembly Bill 194, Chapter 458, who are currently receiving foster care or are an emancipated (out of the system) foster youth young than 25 years of age.
Yes. Students are encouraged to connect with each program counselor to ensure their personal and educational goals are met, program participation, and all eligible services are provided.
Your ILP coordinator, current or former social worker, probation officer, or the California Department of Social Services can verify your foster youth eligibility status. The State Foster Youth Ombudsperson's Office can also assist with obtaining verification via student request by submitting the form here.
Yes, if you meet eligibility. Once the foster youth services application is complete the NextUp and Independent Scholars program can help determine which programs will be the best fit.
Interested students can submit a foster youth services application and are encouraged to apply to Chaffey College as soon as possible to receive a Chaffey College ID number and proceed with eligible program services.
Yes, if the prospective student gives consent. Community partners are encouraged to submit a referral to learn more about Chaffey College foster youth services.
Interested and eligible students can apply using the Foster Youth Services application. Referrals can also be completed by community partners for eligible students to learn more about program services.
Emancipation means a youth has aged out of foster care by reaching the ages of 18-21.
Foster Youth Resources
On-campus Resources
Financial Aid - Federal and State tuition assistance
Gabby Gulliver
Financial Aid Representative
gabriela.gulliver@chaffey.edu
Health Services - Your mental, physical, and emotioanl health play a critical role in your education and life. If you are enrolled full or part-time at Chaffey College, you may use services at the Chino and Rancho Cucamonga campuses. 909-652-6331
Special Populations and Equity Programs - Located in the administration building (AD), they offer the following:
- Panther Pantry - Drive thru Panther Pantry will be hosted at all three campus locations twice a month. Students are able to pick up one pre-filled bag of goods once per distribution date.
- Student Emergency Grant - Students must meet with the Panther Care Program manager and provide information on their current situation. Students experiencing an unforeseen emergency, crisis, or catastrophic event may apply for this student emergency grant. Please visit the Panther Care webpage for more information.
Disability Programs and Services (DPS) - Academic counseling and academic accommodations. To schedule DPS counseling appointments please visit the DPS webpage or send an email to: dps.staff@chaffey.edu
Tutoring
Virtual Success Centers - Discuss course assignments with tutors, get help navigating Canvas and Zoom, learn about Success Center course requirements (per your dept/course), and speak with a live person.
Khan Academy - Free online tutoring for students to practice at their own pace, first filling in gaps in their understanding and then accelerating their learning.
Community Resources
211 (San Bernardino County) - The central source for providing free and confidential information and referrerals for all health and human services in San Bernardino County through our 211sb.org website, text, or our 2-1-1- call line.
The California Ombudsperson for Foster Care is the state agency mandated to investigate and attempt to resolve complaints on behalf of foster children related to their care, placement, or services. The office is empowered to investigate complaints about state and local agengies regarding foster care.
Transitional Age Youth (TAY) - Serves current and former foster, probation placement, and homeless youth, ages 15-24. They offer an array of programs and services including counseling, skills building, a drop-in center, and subsidized supportive housing. Contact them at 909-983-4466.
AB12 - Extended foster care until age 21.
Food
CalFresh - Monthly benefits to assist low-income households with purchasing of food needed to maintain adequate nutritional levels.
Pandemic EBT - Children eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school are eligible for $365 per eligible child on a _-EBT card to help families buy food when schools are closed. Families with children who receive CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply; a P-EBT card will be mailed to them automatically.
Financial Aid Resources
FAFSA - The U.S. Department of Education's office of Federal Student Aid provides more than $120 billion in financial aid to help pay for college or career school each year.
The California Dream Act - The California Dream Act allows undocumented and non-resident students who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) to receive certain types of financial aid such as community college fee waivers and Cal Grants. Additionally, the California Dream Act allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.
Cal Grant Programs - A Cal Grant is money for college you are not required to pay back. to qualify, you must apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act application by the deadline and meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements. Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University, or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.
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.
I Can Afford College - A financial aid awareness initiative for students.
Housing
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. The organization has resources in San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles counties.
Fontana Community Assistance Program - Fontana’s community assistance program brings local organizations, churches, and schools to create a network designed to help connect people to resources that will best meet their needs.
Pathway Housing - Pathways is an 18-36 month program for emancipated youth who are at risk of homelessness. We offer dynamic and comprehensive services to youth who are receptive to a program with enriched service offerings beyond housing and provide youth with the necessary life skills and emotional support to become financially self-supporting and emotionally stable.
California College Pathways Rapid Response Program - California College Pathways funding partners have collaborated with Together We Rise and John Burton Advocates for Youth to create a COVID-19 Safety Net Fund to ensure programs have immediate access to flexible resources to quickly address a wide range of challenges that could potentially threaten a foster youth’s ability to transition to and through college. Please contact emergencyfund@jbay.org with questions about the COVID-19 Safety Net Fund.
Medical
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.
ILP Online Healthcare Section - Offeres resources for Medi-Cal
Technology
Chaffey College Loaner Laptop program- Chaffey College will be loaning laptops to students on a first-come, first-served basis.
IFoster - Creates partnerships with existing business and develops resources for foster youth. Provide free phones that come with unlimited data plans, free headphones, and can be used as internet hotspots. If interested, please discuss with your counselor.
Comcast - Comcast is providing discounted internet access to those who qualify.
CalFresh - Monthly benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels.
Legal assistance
Children's Law Center - Represents abused, neglected or abandoned children.
Alliance for Children's Rights - Protects the rights and futures of abused and impoverished children in Los Angeles.
Public Counsel - The largest pro bono law firm in the United States.
Ombudsperson for Foster Care is the state agency mandated to investigate and attempt to resolve complaints, on behalf of foster children. The office is empowered to investigate complaints about state and local agencies regarding foster care and can assist with obtaining Court Verification letter. fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov
Organizations
John Burton Advocates for Youth - A statewide non-profit organization based in San Francisco, working to improve the quality of life for California's foster, former foster, and homeless youth.
Together We Rise - A non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the way kids experience foster care in America
