Breaking the Cycle: A Sustainable Pathway for Foster Youth in Los Angeles County

Many California counties see a disproportionate number of former foster youth experiencing homelessness, driven by limited access to education, workforce pathways, and stable support systems.

The Foster Youth Forum, in partnership with The ReStart Initiative, is addressing this gap through a coordinated, outcomes-driven model focused on education and economic mobility. Central to this effort is a formal petition to the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) and the California Community Colleges system to establish a structured procurement education pathway beginning at the high school level.

This proposed pathway would enable students to earn NASPO-aligned credits in high school and seamlessly transition through the dual enrollment into community college programs, where they can complete certificate-based training for careers in public procurement.

By aligning early education with industry-recognized credentials, this initiative creates a practical, scalable route to stable employment and long-term self-sufficiency for foster youth.