John Burton Advocates for Youth

Time’s ticking, but don’t fret - there’s still time to master tax season like a pro and claim the $1,154 Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC)! You may be eligible for the FYTC, a valuable opportunity to put CASH back into your pockets! ?? Worried about navigating this process alone? Don’t be! You can claim this credit today by using a FREE virtual self-filing guide or by making a one-on-one appointment with your local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site! ?? To dive more into all the available resources to help you claim the FYTC, visit jbay.org/resources/FYTC.

We're #hiring a new Senior Policy and Project Manager - Higher Education - California-Based in California. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Great news, students! The FAFSA deadline has been extended, giving you more time to apply for financial aid! ???? ?? New Deadline: April 2nd ?? Apply Now: studentaid.gov or dream.csac.ca.gov A special shoutout to our foster youth—this is your chance to access the financial support you deserve! Whether you're going to college for the first time or continuing your education, financial aid can help make your dreams a reality. Don’t miss out!

We're #hiring a new Senior Project Manager - Higher Education in Los Angeles, California. Apply today or share this post with your network.

You don’t have to figure out life after foster care alone. Medi-Cal has extra FREE benefits and services for current and former foster youth up to the age of 26 to make taking care of your health and overall well-being a lot easier. A benefit called “Enhanced Care Management” pairs you with a dedicated care manager who coordinates care for all your needs—like physical, mental, and dental care, as well as social services. They’ll meet you anywhere that’s best for you, like a doctor’s office, a local park, or wherever you’re living. They take the stress out of navigating all the scheduling and coordinating across doctors and other care providers, and even connect you to other community resources you may need. Services called “Community Supports” help you with finding and securing safe and stable housing if you are experiencing or are at risk for homelessness, access to tailored meals to manage conditions like diabetes or getting items like air filters at home to help with chronic asthma, and more. Anyone can reach out to your insurance to start the referral process. So whether it's you, a friend, or other support: Call the phone number on the back of your Medi-Cal insurance card to see if you qualify. If you need assistance calling, we’re here to help!

?? Join Our Team at John Burton Advocates for Youth! ?? We’re excited to announce two fantastic career opportunities at John Burton Advocates for Youth, a leading organization dedicated to improving the lives of young people in California. We’re looking for passionate, experienced professionals to help us continue our mission: 1?? Senior Policy Project Manager (California Based) – Higher Education Apply here: https://conta.cc/3XpCaBj 2?? Senior Project Manager (Los Angeles-Based) – Higher Education Apply here: https://conta.cc/43gU7pB If you're passionate about advocating for youth and making a difference in the higher education landscape, we’d love to have you on our team!

It's that time of year again—time to start thinking about taxes, planning ahead, and spreading the word about the Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC)! ?? California young adults: If you were in foster care on or after your 13th bday, are between 18-25 yrs old, and earned at least $1 in 2024, you’re likely eligible! Find out more at jbay.org/resources/FYTC. In 2025, the FYTC will provide up to $1,154—don’t leave money on the table!

Current and former foster youth up to age 26 could receive free resources like these, known as “Enhanced Care Management” and “Community Supports.” Anyone can reach out to your insurance to start the referral process. So whether it's you, a parent, or other support: Call the phone number on the back of your Medi-Cal insurance card to see if you qualify. Contacting your insurance might feel like one more thing you have to do, but these services could really make life a lot easier. If you need assistance calling, we’re here to help!

??Love is in the air, and it’s the perfect moment to add a little extra sparkle to your Valentine’s Day! ?Looking for some extra cash for your plans? Great news! The California Foster Youth Tax Credit offers up to $1,154 for current and former foster youth—so don’t miss out on this sweet opportunity! ??Spread the love and spread the word! Share this incredible opportunity with your foster youth community and friends. ?? Head to jbay.org/resources/FYTC to learn more about the details and eligibility, and make this Valentine's Day even more meaningful.

Last week, our organization had the honor of participating in Prosper California Advocacy Day! ? We were especially proud to have one of our youth advocates join us in raising their voice for change. Their passion and dedication to creating a more equitable future were truly inspiring. Together, we pushed for policies that promote education, economic equity, and opportunity for all Californians. It’s moments like these that remind us of the power of community and youth leadership. Let’s keep pushing for progress! ????