California Student Aid Commission Announces Plan to Implement Electronic Funds Transfer for the Chafee Grant

Starting in April 2023, California’s postsecondary institutions will have the option to receive the Chafee Grant for Foster Youth via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). The change announced by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will greatly improve timely access to grant funds by eligible foster youth. 

The EFT process will eliminate delays to access due to wait times for processing paper warrants, reverifying student eligibility, and internal processes to distribute checks to students. It will also remove delays with stop payment and check reissue requests and reduce time spent on manual processing of paper warrants by financial aid staff.  

Educational institutions that currently utilize EFT for Cal Grant and the Middle-Class Scholarship (MCS) will automatically be opted-in to receive EFT for Chafee. Institutions that are not currently using EFT to distribute funding will be provided with an option to enroll. More information on steps to prepare for implementation of EFT for Chafee is available via CSAC’s Special Alert. 

Notice Clarifies Reproductive Health Rights Including Abortion Access for Foster Youth Placed Out of State

The Department of Social Services issued an All-County Information Notice (ACIN I-84-22) last month to provide guidance regarding the medical rights of all California foster youth. In light of recent court rulings and subsequent state efforts to restrict access to certain types of health care services, the ACIN clarifies that for any California foster youth placed in a state that has limited or banned the provision of any services related to sexual, reproductive or gender affirming health care (i.e. abortion services, hormone therapies, birth control, etc.), county case managers must continue to ensure that these youth are able to receive health care services as required under California law.

California law guarantees that foster youth have access to reproductive and sexual health care and gender affirming health care. Foster youth also have the right to consent to or decline services regarding contraception, pregnancy care, and perinatal care, including abortion services. The ACIN also notes that given the sensitive nature of these topics, open communication between the foster youth and their assigned county case manager is essential to assist the youth appropriately and prevent any unnecessary delays to receive needed services. Case managers are instructed to act “with reasonable promptness,” ensure that any necessary transportation is available, and if a foster youth requires ongoing health care (e.g. hormone therapy or other gender-affirming care) that is unavailable or difficult to access in the state where they are currently residing, an alternative placement may need to be considered.

Virtual Sex Ed Classes Available to Foster Youth Through June 2023

Foster Youth in middle and high school can register for Teen Talk in Alternative Settings (Teen Talk YAS), Health Connected’s free, virtual sexual education course, through June 2023.

Teen Talk YAS complies with SB 89 requirements for comprehensive sexual health education for youth in foster care. Through collaboration with Planned Parenthood of Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley, the curriculum has been adapted for virtual delivery and is now available.

To promote participation, the Reproductive Health Equity Project for Foster Youth has released promotional flyers for both foster youth and children’s social workers.

Youth are eligible to participate in the free programming if they are 12-17 years old (or 18 and enrolled in high school), in a foster care placement, and able to access Zoom. Eligible youth can earn $15 per class in addition to a $100 bonus for attending all 11 classes. 

CDSS Guidance Details Tax Credits Available to Californians, Including the Foster Youth Tax Credit

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has released All County Information Notice I-81-22, which informs counties about the 2022 tax filing updates for the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC and CalEITC). The guidance highlights Senate Bill 201, which established the Foster Youth Tax Credit and expands the Young Child Tax Credit. The guidance shares official outreach, translation resources and flyers in several languages, and a calculator that can help tax filers see how much they could qualify for in cash back refunds.

For the 2022 tax year, current and former foster youth who file a state tax return and claim the FYTC will receive up to $1,083 in a refundable credit. The three eligibility criteria to qualify for the FYTC are that the tax filer qualifies for the CalEITC, were age 18 through 25 in 2022 and were in care at age 13 or older and placed through the California foster care system. To learn more about these credits for transition age youth and how to claim them, join JBAY for a webinar on January 31^st.

Low-income working Californians who file their taxes may qualify for the federal earned income tax credit ranging from $1 to $6,935. State and federal EITCs have the same eligibility rules requiring the filer to have earned $1 in income, a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, and live in the United States or California for more than half of the year. For any questions, contact CalWORKsOutreach@dss.ca.gov. 

Upcoming Webinars, Trainings, and Events

• $1,083 reasons to file your taxes – California’s New Foster Youth Tax Credit



• 2023 Reproductive Health Equity Project Virtual Conference

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