March 25, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

SMC Receives Grant to Expand Access to Critical Support Services for Foster Youth

New NextUp program will provide academic & comprehensive support, plus direct financial aid to foster youth enrolled at SMC

Santa Monica College (SMC) has been awarded a $942,225 grant from California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to boost access to essential academic and wraparound services for former and current foster youth. They will launch a new, continuous, extensive NextUp Program under the umbrella of SMC’s EOPS/CARE Program—which helps students facing educational and socioeconomic obstacles—to achieve this.

The Budget Act of 2022-23 increases funding for the NextUp Program (formerly Cooperating Agencies Foster Youth Educational Support Program) by $30 million for California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to distribute among community colleges around the state in accordance with a set funding formula. Thanks to this grant, SMC will set up a NextUp Program to provide academic, transfer and financial aid counseling; academic tutoring; mental health support; case management referrals to college/community programs; and direct financial aid to current/former foster youth. 

“National research shows that while a postsecondary credential can greatly enhance the likelihood of foster youth making more successful transitions and increase their chances for personal fulfillment, the obstacles and barriers they face are immense,” said SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery. “This is why the efforts of the college’s Guardian Scholars program over the past several years have been critical in leaving no stone unturned in ensuring our former/current foster youth students have the supportive family they deserve, here at SMC. We are thrilled that this new NextUp Program will help extend this legacy of care to these deserving students!”

The purpose is to raise the number of current and former foster youth enrolling, persisting, and completing their educational goal at the college.

Dr. Debra Joseph Locke, who supervises SMC’s EOPS/CARE and coordinates the Guardian Scholars program for current and former foster youth, said that the new NextUp program would be “a huge boost” to the college’s foster youth student population. 

“To not have to worry about textbooks, food, transportation, housing etc., frees a student to fully focus on classes and the future,” Locke said. “This is a resilient student body that truly deserves the additional support, increased programming and direct aid that will now be available to help them to grow, flourish and succeed at SMC and beyond.

SMC will keep its Guardian Scholars program running to support foster youth students who don’t qualify for NextUp. NextUp will be combined with Guardian Scholars and other student support services on campus to make sure all students get equitable services and a sense of belonging. Guardian Scholars offer academic, career and transfer counseling; priority enrollment; meal and transport assistance; mental health therapy; student success workshops, and more.

Established in Fall 2013, SMC’s Guardian Scholars program was created through a three-year grant from the Angell Foundation and further supported by grants from the S. Mark Taper Foundation, The Whittier Trust, Stuart Foundation, Attias Family Foundation, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust, California Community Foundation, The Mark Hughes Foundation and Providence/St. John’s Health Center. Since 2015, 58 Guardian Scholars have graduated from Santa Monica College or transferred to universities such as UCLA, USC, UC Irvine, San Diego State, Cal State Long Beach, UC Berkeley and FIDM among others. To date the program has served around 720 former or current foster youth.

For more information about NextUp statewide, visit nextup.cccco.edu. For more information on SMC’s Guardian Scholars, and the new NextUp program, email Locke_Debra@smc.edu.

Related Posts

Santa Monica Pet Hotel Hosts Puppy-Friendly St. Patty’s Day Party

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

A new pet hotel in Santa Monica recently hosted a St. Patrick’s Day party for local dogs. Check out all...

Santa Monica Mountains Largest Ever Restoration Project Nears Completion After 7,000 Hours of Volunteer Work

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Final planting event will be held Saturday, March 25 at 9 a.m. for the park’s largest ever restoration project After...

California Appeals Court Rules Uber and Lyft Can Classify Drivers as Independent Contractors

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Proposition 22 exempted ride-share companies from certain labor laws, court rules in favor of the companies By Sam Catanzaro ​​A...

Film Review – Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

FILM REVIEWOPERATION FORTUNE: Ruse de GuerreRated R114 MinutesReleased March 3rd Now that the season of weighty Oscar contender films is...

Santa Monica Uses Innovative Water Recycling Facility to Capture and Store Rainwater

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

City’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project reducing reliance on imported water and sets a model for future projects Santa Monica has...

Shuttered Santa Monica Loews Hotel to Rebrand and Reopen as a Regent Hotel

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Hotel’s new operator announces plans for $4 million renovation, including rebranding and upgrading accessibility for guests with disabilities By Dolores...

Three Arrested for Identity Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, and Grand Theft in Santa Monica

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Suspects found with over 20 stolen cellphones, credit cards, and identification Three individuals were arrested in Santa Monica for identity...

Proposal for Improved Communication With Street Vendors Sparks Contentious Debate in City Council Meeting

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Councilmembers divided over proposal calling for City Manager to engage in meaningful consultation with authorized vendors regarding sidewalk vending policies...

Former Bank Building in Santa Monica Becomes a Food Destination with Addition of Katsu Bar

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Katsu Bar joins Paderia and Oakberry in the transformation of the 3032 Wilshire building By Dolores Quintana Katsu Bar has...

Survey: Should Officials Remove Barriers to Outdoor Dining?

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the way we live our lives, and one of the most significant impacts has been...

Gasolina Cafe Owner, Sandra Cordero, to Open New Tapas Bar in Santa Monica

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Tapas bar expected to open late spring in former Heroic Italian space at 516 Santa Monica Boulevard  Sandra Cordero, the...

California’s AB 1217 Could Supersede Costly Outdoor Dining Permits Proposed by Municipalities

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Legislation would preempt local ordinances and preserve regulatory flexibility for struggling neighborhood restaurants By Sam Catanzaro A new bill proposed...

Emerging Artist Jesse Liu Opens First-Ever Exhibition in Venice Gallery

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

“Spring Fever” currently on display at Yiwei Gallery By Keemia Zhang Local artist Jesse Liu has opened her first solo...

Santa Monica Place Invites LGBTQIA+ Artisans to Apply for Made With PRIDE Marketplace

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Partnering with Streetlet, the marketplace will take place each weekend in June and showcase local goods made in Southern California....

Santa Monica Councilmember Phil Brock Appointed to National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Brock to collaborate with group of local leaders to develop and guide programs for communities across the country Santa Monica...