California Community Colleges Student Mental Health Program (CCC SMHP)
Implemented in 2011, the CCC SMHP is a statewide effort focusing on prevention and early intervention strategies which address the mental health needs of California community college students and advance the collaboration between community colleges and community based agencies, in particular, county mental health. The CCC SMHP is a partnership between the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Foundation for California Community Colleges. CCC SMHP is funded by the voter-approved Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63). It is one of several Prevention and Early Intervention Initiatives implemented by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of California counties working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.
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Dreamers Project
The California Community Colleges Dreamers Project aims to help the Chancellor’s Office and the 116 California Community Colleges effectively respond to recent changes to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The project works to understand the impacts of these changes on DACA program participants and other undocumented students, collectively referred to as Dreamers.
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Foster Youth Housing Project
Through research conducted in partnership with experts and advocates in the housing space, the Foster Youth Housing Project aims to identify opportunities to build student housing to support students and meet the unique needs of more vulnerable populations, with a specific focus on former foster youth. Findings will help inform and create a roadmap for future housing initiatives and developments across the California Community Colleges, aiming to ultimately provide students with more holistic, wrap-around support to help improve economic and social mobility statewide.
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The Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI)
The Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI) was introduced in 2007 by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (Chancellor’s Office) by establishing FYSI liaisons in each of the 116 California Community Colleges. FYSI liaisons provide ancillary support to foster youth enrolled in community college. The Foundation’s Statewide FYSI liaison, in close collaboration with the Chancellor’s office and with support from the Walter S. Johnson Foundation, provides and ensures that all Community College FYSI liaisons have access to training that will enable them to provide educational services to foster youth, work to improve the quality of data within the Community College data system to better strategize successful educational outcomes for foster youth, strengthen the Community College system’s ability to implement new legislative and policy changes affecting foster youth, and improve collaboration between the Community College system, the K-12 educational system, and the social services system. Ultimately, FYSI helps to develop a supportive and smooth transition for foster youth.
If you are looking for an FYSI in your area, please visit the FYSI Directory.
Fresh Success
Fresh Success helps community colleges and community-based organizations effectively start and manage CalFresh Employment and Training (E&T) programs in partnership with their counties. Through Fresh Success, CalFresh participants gain education and training that will lead to better employment and a path to economic self-sufficiency. This new approach to CalFresh Employment & Training, which connects counties with local colleges and CBOs that have available match funds, allows for increased federal funding and innovative, job-driven approaches.
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Umoja
The Umoja Community serves at risk, educationally and economically disadvantaged students, believing that when the voices and histories of students are deliberately and intentionally recognized, students develop self-efficacy and a foundation for academic success. Umoja actively promotes student success for all students, with an emphasis on African American student success, through culturally responsive curriculum and practices. Chancellors and college presidents from across the community colleges act as a consortium to advise the Umoja Governing Board on program implementation and generate ideas for securing additional funding.
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YESS–Independent Living Program
The Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success – Independent Living Program is a cornerstone in the Foundation’s commitment to foster youth, serving current and former foster youth ages 16 – 21. The main objectives of the YESS-ILP project are to assist youth transitioning from the K-12 educational system into higher education, creating a pipeline for youth access to educational and career training opportunities available within the California Community College system. YESS-ILP supports youth in developing the critical life management skills necessary to become successful, thriving adults.
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Veterans
The Foundation supports training to create a welcoming environment for veterans and their families enrolled at a California Community College. In partnership with the Chancellor’s Office, the Foundation raises awareness of the needs of student veterans and provides professional development for faculty and administrators through the Welcome Home: Veterans on Campus training program. The Veterans Symposium also serves as an annual gathering to share best practices that improve the ways Community Colleges can help smooth veterans’ transition into civilian life.