Overview

The California Connected by 25 Initiative (CC25I) was developed to help address the needs of youth as they are transitioning from the foster care system to adulthood. As foster care ends youth lose access to many important services and may be without community, family safety net, or committed adults to support their transition to adulthood. The goal of the initiative is "Through positive youth development and integrated systems of support and services, transitioning foster youth are connected by age 25 to the opportunities, experiences and support that will enable them to succeed throughout adulthood." The initiative is a California Family to Family (F2F) strategy being developed to assist county child welfare agencies and their communities to build a comprehensive continuum of supports and services across seven key focus areas: K-12 Education Employment/Job Training/Postsecondary Education Housing Independent Living Skills Financial Literacy, Savings, and Asset Development Personal/Social Asset Development Permanency CC25I counties utilize comprehensive assessment, planning, and program innovation carried out in conjunction with youth, caregivers, and other community partners to design and implement local strategies. Funding CC25I was launched in 2005 through the collaborative efforts of the following philanthropic organizations: The Annie E. Casey Foundation Family to Family Initiative The Walter S. Johnson Foundation Stuart Foundation The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation Their partnership, commitment, and co-investment in this Initiative are strengthening youth transitions policy and practice and developing tools for data collection, outcome measurement, and self-evaluation. Back to top

Sites

The following sites are in various phases of implementing this initiative: Fresno Humboldt Orange San Francisco Santa Clara Stanislaus Solano is currently conducting a Self-Assessment and is expected to join the Initiative in August 2008. Glenn is currently conducting a Self-Assessment and is expected to join the Initiative in November 2008. Back to top

Technical Assistance

On-going technical assistance and twice-yearly convenings arranged by California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) at the University of California, Berkeley are important to successful CC25I implementation, helping counties to address barriers, develop innovative programs, implement work plans, and achieve benchmarks. Back to top

Background

CC25I is a youth transitions reform initiative which is part of California's Family-to-Family Initiative. The purpose of CC25I is to develop an integrated comprehensive continuum of services supporting positive youth development and successful foster youth transition to adulthood. CC25I is part of the national Connected by 25 Initiative established by the Youth Transition Funders Group (http://www.ytfg.org), a network of grant makers whose mission is to help vulnerable youth connect by age 25 to the opportunities, experiences, and support systems that will enable them to succeed throughout adulthood. Back to top

Related Links

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