DPSS Executive Progress Report TO COMPRESS

IAN’S PATH FORWARD No one in Ian Madrigal’s family had ever graduated high school. It wasn’t a surprise that the teen foster youth found himself failing and on the brink of dropping out when Project Graduate stepped in. Project Graduate is a partnership between the Riverside County Bar Association, the Superior Court and Children’s Services. Volunteers invest hundreds of hours helping struggling youth like Ian tackle their academic challenges and achieve milestones they never thought possible. In June, Ian earned his high school diploma with nearly straight A’s. He celebrated his milestone with his mentors from Project Graduate, and today Ian is contemplating college while he works. Youth in foster care like Ian often experience academic challenges as a result of the upheaval they’ve su ff ered. In California only half of foster youth graduate from high school in contrast to nearly 90% of their counterparts. DPSS collaborates with stakeholders to ensure strong supports for thousands of older youth in foster care. More partners and more resources are needed to increase academic help and help foster youth navigate into adulthood and healthy, productive lives.

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2020 EXECUTIVE PROGRESS REPORT