Grant Applications Due October 12^th for Bay Area Organizations Seeking to Help Foster Youth File Taxes in 2023

JBAY is launching the 2022-23 California Foster Youth Tax Project to help current and former foster youth access the new Foster Youth Tax Credit of up to $1,083 when they file their state tax return starting in January 2023. United Way Bay Area (UWBA) has released a grant application for Bay Area Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites for free tax preparation services for the 2022-2023 tax season. Applications are due October 12, 2022.

Organizations that are awarded a UWBA grant and intend to assist current and former foster youth through their VITA site will be eligible for supplemental funding from JBAY. Organizations interested in technical assistance from JBAY with applying for a local UWBA VITA grant should sign up on the interest form. UWBA assesses applicants based on community need, ability to follow the IRS Quality Site Requirements, demonstrated commitment to VITA, and the goal number of tax returns a site plans to prepare. Contact taxhelp@uwba.org with application questions. 

Community-based organizations and child welfare agencies across six counties that partnered with JBAY in 2022 helped bring more than $725,000 in cash back refunds to current and former foster youth in their counties. Establishing a foster youth VITA site is one of many roles that county and nonprofit partners can play in assisting youth with filing their taxes for free, with support. County and nonprofit partners interested in learning more about joining the project in other ways should sign up on the interest form.

Tribal Youth and Youth in Voluntary Placements Gain Access to Educational Rights

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) recently released All County Letter (ACL) 22-36, which describes the expansion of certain educational rights to tribal youth and youth in voluntary placements. The changes, adopted through AB 1055, expand the definition of “students in foster care” to include any child who is a dependent child of a tribal court or who is the subject of a voluntary placement agreement, as defined in WIC Section 11400(p).

The law extends to these youth the existing educational rights that are afforded all foster youth, including the right to immediate enrollment, the right to remain in the school of origin, prompt academic record transfers, recognition of partial credit, the right to remain in school for a fifth year to complete the local education agency’s graduation requirements, fee waivers for certain exams and Procedural protections for disciplinary hearings. Click here to learn more about the laws protecting foster youth’s educational rights.

Virtual Sexual Health Ed for Foster Youth Ages 12-18 Announces September Series, Offers $265 Gift Cards

The Reproductive Health Equity Project’s new virtual sexual health education series, Teen Talk for Youth in Alternative Settings (TTYAS) has announced September dates. Participants who attend all 11 sessions in the series will receive a $265 Amazon or Target gift card. The series includes 11 synchronous online sessions held between September 12-28, Monday-Thursday, from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

TTYAS was designed with a special focus on personal values, communication skills, wellness, and safety, and incorporates trauma-informed and healing-centered instructional practices, conducted over Zoom. TTYAS has been reviewed by youth who have been in care and has been fully vetted for medical and legal accuracy. TTYAS is compliant with the California Healthy Youth Act and the California Foster Youth Sexual Health Education Act which require foster youth to receive sexual health education once in middle and once in high school.

Eligible youth live in California, are ages 12-17, or 18 years if still enrolled in high school, and must have an open child welfare case. To register, a youth’s email or phone number is required. To participate, youth will need access to a phone or computer. Youth who attend will earn $15 per session, and a $100 bonus for attending all 11 sessions, paid in the form of an Amazon or Target gift card. For more information, please visit fosterreprohealth.org.

Upcoming Webinars, Trainings, and Events

• All Things TAY Housing, Workshop at CA Alliance Winter Conference

• Blueprint for Success Conference

• Completing the FAFSA/CADAA: A How-To for Adult Supporters of Youth Experiencing Homelessness

• Completing the FAFSA/CADAA: A How-To for Adult Supporters of Foster Youth

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