Legislature Sends Budget Bill Junior to Governor, Trimming Homelessness Funding While Extending the Timeline to Spend Homeless Student Aid

On September 1, AB 113, California's budget cleanup bill termed “Budget Bill Junior,” advanced to the Governor's desk after review and full vote by the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees. The bill trims $10 million from the state's main homelessness program while extending funding and spending deadlines for programs serving homeless and low-income students. It also allocates $1 million to the California Department of Social Services to administer federal Fostering the Future 530A accounts.

The bill reduces Round 7 of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program to $890 million, according to the analysis. Because California’s counties, large cities, and Continuums of Care must dedicate 10% of HHAP grants to youth homelessness, this $10 million overall reduction will likely decrease youth homelessness funding by $1 million statewide. 

Separate from HHAP, the bill allocates new one-time state funding directly to a number of local organizations to address homelessness. Youth-specific allocations include $1.4 million to Larkin Street Youth Services in San Francisco, $1 million to Orangewood Foundation in Orange County, $750,000 to Family Assistance Program in San Bernardino County, and $350,000 to Abbey Road in Los Angeles County.

Additionally, K-12 schools receive an extension from June 30, 2029, to June 30, 2030, to spend $46 million in homeless student grant funds. The bill also corrects the sunset date for the Cal Grant Transfer entitlement expansion, confirming that the higher age limit for community college transfers (expanded from 28 to 30) will run from the 2027-28 academic year through 2031-32. These changes aim to preserve student services as one-time relief funds expire.

Applications for the 2027 JBAY Young Adult Advocate Program Are Now Open

John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) opened applications on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, for the organization’s 2027 Young Adult Advocate Program (YAAP). The paid program prepares young adults with experience in foster care or homelessness to learn about and participate in policy change in California.

Eligible applicants are ages 18 to 27, experienced foster care or homelessness at age 13 or older and have an interest in learning about and advocating for policy change. JBAY currently has four openings for young adults residing in the Sacramento area. The program lasts one year, with an option to extend to two years. Advocates earn $26 per hour and receive reimbursement for travel and meal expenses.

The program uses a three-part leadership model of learn, influence, and lead. Participants receive mentorship, policy and research training, and hands-on advocacy experience. Activities may include participation in workgroups or advisory bodies, providing feedback on youth-facing materials, testimony before the California Legislature, media engagement, and coalition work. JBAY YAA Alumni have moved onto college, graduate school, legislative fellowships, positions with advocacy organizations and government agencies, and careers at JBAY.

Applications close on October 15, 2026. JBAY will host a virtual information session on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Presenters will review eligibility, application steps, and program expectations.

For more information, view the YAAP overview, and for an in-depth description for prospective applicants, an overview of the role and expectations. Questions should be directed to the program’s coordinator, Cody Van Felden at cody@jbay.org.

New Data Show Neglect Drives Most California Foster Care Entries for Older Youth

In July 2026, Child Trends released an annual update to the resource, "State-level Data for Understanding Child Welfare in the United States." For California's transition-age youth, neglect was the leading reason for entry, at 68%, compared with 50% nationwide. Physical abuse ranked second, at 14% versus 13% nationwide, while behavioral problems accounted for just 8% of entries, compared with 27% nationwide.

For older children and youth, 69% were first-time entries, meaning nearly a third of youth were re-entering care. Child Trends researchers reported Hispanic and Latino, Black, and American Indian and Alaska Native youth entered foster care at higher rates than their share of California's child population.

Teen entry rates have declined in recent years, even as the number of youth ages 18 to 21 in extended foster care (EFC) has grown since 2022. Placement stability differs sharply by age. In the 13-17-year-old cohort, 25% of youth live with relatives, compared to 5% of 18-21-year-olds.

Among transition-age youth who have been in care for two or more years, half have experienced five or more placement changes. To learn more, visit Child Trends’ interactive companion guide.

LEARN MORE

ABOUT JBAY