Foster Youth

The Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI) provides support for students and foster parents/guardians related to becoming a student at Oxnard College.

The Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI) is intended to provide support for students and foster parents/guardians related to becoming a student at Oxnard College.  Students placed in foster care by Dependency Court at any time since turning age 13 years of age may be entitled to benefits that will assist them through the very important transition into college. Oxnard College participates in the FYSI to assist connecting these students with support services and financial aid they need to achieve their academic goals. 

With the passage of Assembly Bill 12 (Extended Foster Care Benefits) and Assembly Bill 194 (Priority Registration), current or former foster youth qualify for many additional resources to support their success. 

If you are a current or former foster youth and would like more information about financial aid at Oxnard College, please contact:

Fidelia Flores
Financial Aid Specialist
fidelia_flores1@vcccd.edu
805.678.5139

Scholarship and Grant Opportunities for Foster Youth:

California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth

May qualify for up to $5,000 a year.  Must be a current or former foster youth and not have reached your 25th birthday as of July of the award year.  The court must have established your dependency when you were between the ages of 16 and 18.  The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will verify your foster youth eligibility status.

Apply Now (www.chafee.csac.ca.gov)

Important DCFS Information:

Supervised Independent Living Placement (SLIP)

The Supervised Independent Living Placement (SLIP) is a new placement option for youth ages 18 to 21.  If you are a youth in foster care placement, enrolled in college or working 80 hours per month, who turned age 18 on or after January 1, 2012, you can remain in foster care until age 20 under a Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP). Beginning January 1, 2014, qualified youth can participate in extended foster care until age 21. SILP was created by California’s Fostering Connections to Success Act (also known as AB12). Upon completing a SILP Readiness Assessment, youth can receive direct financial support while living independently in an apartment, renting a room, residing in a college dorm and sharing a setting with a roommate.  Contact your ILP Coordinator or Social Worker for information on how to apply.

California Fostering Connections to Success Act

Independent Living Coordinator

An Independent Living Coordinator provides assistance to current and former foster/probation youth who are between 16-21 years of age.  The ILP Coordinator is available to help current and former foster youth.

Vincent Sosapavon
Community Service Coordinator
Independent Living Program- In-Care Youth
Children & Family Services
(805) 385-9136
1400 Vanguard Drive Suite C
Oxnard, CA 93033

vincent.sosapavon@ventura.org

Foster Youth Resources:

California Chafee Grant Program for Foster Youth   (https://www.chafee.csac.ca.gov/default.aspx)
California Department of Social Services   (http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/)
Casey Family Programs  (http://www.casey.org/)

Financial Empowerment for Youth Who Age Out of Foster Care
Foster Youth Help  (http://www.fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov/)
Orphan Foundation of America  (http://orphan.org/index.php)