San Jose – County supervisors formally approved an agreement on Tuesday with San Jose State University to provide dorm housing to youth emancipated from the county’s foster care system.
The action is part of a state-wide reform effort to address the needs of youth who emancipate from foster care.
“Many of the foster care youth that are currently living at the San Jose State University dorms would have become homeless had we not responded with this innovative transitional housing opportunity,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Jim Beall. “We are pleased to have San Jose State as a partner in our efforts to help these young people to succeed.”
About 130 youth in the county emancipate from foster care every year. These young adults have varying degrees of success integrating into society. Many become a part of troubling statistics, not completing high school, and with limited possibilities for independent lives.
The first eight youths who began living at the dorms in August 2006 are participating in the California Connected by 25 (CC25) Career Pathways Program, a 16-week college bridge collaboration between the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency, work2future and Mission College to help them further their education and build skills to succeed in learning environments. The County has secured housing for a second group of 13 youth to take residence at San Jose State University in early 2007, and is funding housing for 10 additional foster youth at private homes.
Under this transitional housing program, emancipated foster youth may stay on campus for up to five months while they participate in the Career Pathways Program and transition into longer-term learning environments.
