Foster Youth Community - Guardian Scholars
A Community Coming Together
Foster Support
Our college is committed to help support the needs of foster families in our community. On this page you will find special programs that are dedicated to serving and supporting the unique needs of Foster Youth and Foster Parents both on campus and throughout Riverside County.
Foster Care Awareness Month
May is National Foster Care Month, and this year’s theme is Foster Care as a Support for Families, Not a Substitute for Parents.
While in-person celebrations may not be possible this year, it is still important to recognize the incredible foster youth and foster parents in our community. The Foster Youth programs at RCC, MVC, and Norco College and have coordinated a series of workshops throughout the month, employees, students and the community are invited to participate.
Current Programs Offered
Foster and Kinship Care Education Program (FKCE)
Riverside County is dedicated to providing licensed foster parents, kinship caregivers, other interested individuals and professionals with access to educational training through our program. This training is designed to make a difference for all parties involved.
Guardian Scholars Program (GS)
Our foster youth support services program is designed to assist current and former foster youth at RCC. Guardian Scholars can help provide the resources and other support needed to assist students in the tasks they undertake to navigate their college experience.
Foster Youth Network
To expand college access and success for foster youth, Moreno Valley College, Norco College, and Riverside City College created the Foster Youth Support Network (FYSN), which provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to create a connected and coordinated safety net for foster youth transitioning from high school.
Free Caregiver Workshops and Training
This program works to provide California State and Riverside County mandated continuing
education classes for approved Resource Families.
Kinship providers are required to attend annual training. Other professionals working
with children (childcare providers, teachers, counselors, social workers) are also welcome to
attend the Spanish or English workshops.
To receive workshop updates to your email inbox, simply subscribe to get FKCE class updates! You can also call (951) 222-8822. When contacting us please
provide your Name, Phone Number and, if applicable, the class that you want to attend
including date/time/location.
NOTE: CHILDREN ARE NOT PERMITTED to attend workshops due to the sensitive nature of
the topics. Please call us with any questions.
Training classes are:
- Applicable for all "D" rated Los Angeles County approved homes
- Cover a wide variety of topics
- Free of charge to participants
- Held mornings and evenings throughout Riverside County
- Likely to be cancelled if there is insufficient pre-registration
- Offered in English and Spanish
- Counted towards County Resource Family training hours requirement (minimum 8 hours of approved training required each year, including for Kinship and Relative Caregivers)
- Potentially applicable towards “D‐Rate” in‐service renewal hours (seek pre‐approval from LA county worker prior to attending workshops).
- Prospective Foster/Adoptive (Resource Families)
- Approved County Foster/Adoptive Families
- Foster Family Agency Foster Parents & Staff
- Kinship Caregivers (both Formal & Informal)
- Classes are Not Generally for Birth Parents
- NO ONE UNDER 18 IS PERMITTED TO ATTEND
FKCE Zoom Classes Schedule for January-June 2021
Please Call us at (951) 222-8822 or email us at fkce@rcc.edu to register! After registering the Zoom link will be emailed to you.
In order to stay engaged in the training and receive a certificate of completion, you will need a computer (recommended) or smartphone that allows you to access your Video & Microphone capabilities.
Para seguir participando en la capacitación y recibir un certificado de finalización, necesitará una computadora (recomendada) o un teléfono inteligente que le permita acceder a sus capacidades de Video y Micrófono.
- Family Communication III: Pregnancy Prevention, Wednesday, January 27th, 1pm-2pm
- Reasonable and Prudent Parenting, Friday, January 29th, 9am-11am
- Steps for Healthy Living, Friday, January 29th, 9am-11am
- Family Communication I: Talking to Youth about Sexuality Monday, February 1st, 2pm-3pm
- Back to School at Home Part 2 Monday, February 1st, 6pm-8pm
- Family Communication I: Talking to Youth about Sexuality Tuesday, February 2nd, 1pm-2pm
- Family Communication I: Talking to Youth about Sexuality Wednesday, February 3rd, 1pm-2pm
- Cultures & Connections Saturday, February 6th, 10am-12pm
- Family Communication II: Puberty, Anatomy & Physiology Monday, February 8th, 2pm-3pm
- Commercially Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Training Tuesday, February 9th, 9am-11am
- Family Communication II: Puberty, Anatomy & Physiology Tuesday, February 9th, 1pm-2pm
- Building a Growth Mindset in a Traumatized Brain Tuesday, February 9th, 6pm-8pm
- Back to School at Home Part 2 Wednesday, February 10th, 9am-11am
- Family Communication III: Pregnancy Prevention Monday, February 15th, 2pm-3pm
- Family Communication III: Pregnancy Prevention Tuesday, February 16th, 1pm-2pm
- Steps for Healthy Living Wednesday, February 17th, 9am-11am
- Family Communication III: Pregnancy Prevention Wednesday, February 17th, 1pm-2pm
- Positive Discipline Friday, February 19th, 9am-11am
- Supporting your Student at School Saturday, February 20th, 10am-12pm
- Family Communication IV: Preventing STI’s Monday, February 22nd, 2pm-3pm
- Trauma and the Adolescent Brain Monday, February 22nd, 6pm-8pm
- Family Communication IV: Preventing STI’s Tuesday, February 23rd, 1pm-2pm
- Understanding the Adolescent Brain Development Wednesday, February 24th, 9am-11am
- Family Communication IV: Preventing STI’s Wednesday, February 24th, 1pm-2pm
- Navigating Higher Education: A Training for Caregivers Wednesday, February 24th, 6pm-8pm
- Family Communication I: Talking to Youth about Sexuality Monday, March 1st, 2pm-3pm
- Complex Trauma: What is it and How Does it Affect our Children? Tuesday, March 2nd, 9am-11am
- Family Communication I: Talking to Youth about Sexuality Tuesday, March 2nd, 1pm-2pm
- Family Communication I: Talking to Youth about Sexuality Wednesday, March 3rd, 1pm-2pm
- Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Wednesday, March 3rd, 6pm-8pm
- Family Communication II: Puberty, Anatomy & Physiology Monday, March 8th, 2pm-3pm
- Transitional Youth Foster Care: History, Legislation and Regulations (AB 12) Monday, March 8th, 6pm-8pm
- Family Communication II: Puberty, Anatomy & Physiology Tuesday, March 9th, 1pm-2pm
- Steps for Healthy Living Wednesday, March 10th, 9am-11am
- Family Communication II: Puberty, Anatomy & Physiology Wednesday, March 10th, 1pm-2pm
- Education Laws & Supports for Foster Youth Wednesday, March 10th, 6pm-8pm
- Parenting During a Pandemic Saturday, March 13th, 10am-12pm
- Family Communication III: Pregnancy Prevention Monday, March 15th, 2pm-3pm
- Literacy at Home Tuesday, March 16th, 9am-11am
- Family Communication III: Pregnancy Prevention Tuesday, March 16th, 1pm-2pm
- Family Communication III: Pregnancy Prevention Wednesday, March 17th, 1pm-2pm
- Suicide Awareness and Prevention Saturday, March 20th, 10am-12pm
- Family Communication IV: Preventing STI’s Monday, March 22nd, 2pm-3pm
- Family Communication IV: Preventing STI’s Tuesday, March 23rd, 1pm-2pm
- The Impact of Trauma on Learning Wednesday, March 24th, 9am-11am
- Family Communication IV: Preventing STI’s Wednesday, March 24th, 1pm-2pm
- Parenting in a Racially and Culturally Diverse Home Friday, March 26th, 9am-11am
- Family Communication: Healthy Relationships and Consent Monday, March 29th, 2pm-3pm
- Understanding Grief/Loss and Social Emotional Development Monday, March 29th, 6pm-8pm
- Family Communication: Healthy Relationships and Consent Tuesday, March 30th, 1pm-2pm
- Adoption and Permanency Tuesday, March 30th, 6pm-8pm
- Family Communication: Healthy Relationships and Consent Wednesday, March 31st, 1pm-2pm
- Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Wednesday, March 31st, 6pm-8pm
- Early Intervention for Drug Exposed Children Saturday, April 3rd, 10am-12pm
- Building a Growth Mindset in a Traumatized Brain Tuesday, April 6th, 6pm-8pm
- Trauma and the Teen Brain Wednesday, April 7th, 9am-11am
- Steps for Healthy Living Friday, April 9th, 9am-11am
- Communication and Healing for Youth Aging Out Monday, April 12th, 6pm-8pm
- Building your Cultural Competency as a Caregiver Tuesday, April 13th, 9am-11am
- The Protective Factors Wednesday, April 14th, 9am-11am
- Navigating Higher Education: A Training for Caregivers Wednesday, April 14th, 6pm-8pm
- Positive Discipline Friday, April 16th, 9am-11am
- Trauma Based Assessment and Therapy: Why it is Important Wednesday, April 21st, 9am-11am
- Mindfulness at Home Saturday, April 24th, 10am-12pm
- Advocating for Children with Social/Emotional Needs at School Saturday, April 24th, 10am-12pm
- Commercially Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Training Tuesday, April 27th, 9am-11am
- Parenting in a Racially and Culturally Diverse Home Wednesday, April 28th, 6pm-8pm
- Supporting your Student at School Saturday, May 1st, 10am-12pm
- Understand Mental Health in Children/Youth ( Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention ) Wednesday, May 5th, 9am-11am
- Cultures & Connections Saturday, May 8th, 10am-12pm
- Complex Trauma: What is it and how does it affect our children? Tuesday, May 11th, 9am-11am
- Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Wednesday, May 12th, 9am-11am
- Education Laws & Supports for Foster Youth Wednesday, May 12th, 6pm-8pm
- Steps for Healthy Living Saturday, May 15th, 10am-12pm
- Preparing Youth for Self Sufficiency Monday, May 17th, 6pm-8pm
- Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Friday, May 21st, 9am-11am
- Fostering Independence: Teen Edition Tuesday, May 25th, 9am-11am
- Understanding the Adolescent Brain Development Wednesday, May 26th, 6pm-8pm
- Adoption and Permanency Thursday, May 27th, 6pm-8pm
- Positive Discipline Wednesday, June 2nd, 6pm-8pm
- Grief and Loss Friday, June 4th, 9am-11am
- Suicide Awareness and Prevention Saturday, June 5th, 10am-12pm
- AB 12 Living Agreements and other Requirements Monday, June 7th, 6pm-8pm
- Navigating Higher Education: A Training for Caregivers Wednesday, June 9th, 6pm-8pm
- Steps for Healthy Living Friday, June 11th, 9am-11am
- Building your Cultural Competency as a Caregiver Tuesday, June 15th, 9am-11am
- Building a Growth Mindset in a Traumatized Brain Tuesday, June 15th, 6pm-8pm
- Finding Resources in the Community Wednesday, June 16th, 9am-11am
- Parenting in a Racially and Culturally Diverse Home Friday, June 18th, 9am-11am
- Understanding Anger as a Secondary Emotion Monday, June 21st, 6pm-8pm
- Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Wednesday, June 23rd, 9am-11am
- Steps for Healthy Living Wednesday, June 23rd, 6pm-8pm
- Commercially Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Training Tuesday, June 29th, 9am-11am
- Education Laws & Supports for Foster Youth Wednesday, June 30th, 6pm-8pm
- Comunicación Familiar #4 Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual Martes, Enero 26, 3pm-4pm
- Promover la Seguridad Física y Emocional de un Niño Sabado, Enero 30, 10am-12pm
- Comunicación Familiar #1 Como Hablar con sus Hijos Martes, Febrero 9, 3pm-4pm
- Problemas de Salud Física Viernes, Febrero 12, 9am-11am
- Comunicación Familiar #3 Anticoncepción Martes, Febrero 16, 3pm-4pm
- Comunicación Familiar #3 Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual Martes, Febrero 23, 3pm-4pm
- Capacitación para los Padres de Apoyo El bienestar Sexual y Reproductivo para los Jóvenes Bajo Crianza Temporal Sabado, Febrero 27, 10am-12pm
- Comunicación Familiar #1 Como Hablar con sus Hijos Martes, Marzo 9, 3pm-4pm
- Como Responder al Comportamiento Sexual Viernes, Marzo 12, 9am-11am
- Comunicación Familiar #2 Anatomía, Fisiología & Pubertad Martes, Marzo 16, 3pm-4pm
- Comunicación Familiar #3 Anticoncepción Martes, Marzo 23, 3pm-4pm
- Disciplina Positiva Sabado, Marzo 27, 10am-12pm
- Comunicación Familiar #4 Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual Martes, Marzo 30, 3pm-4pm
- Desarrollo Infantil Viernes, Abril 2, 9am-11am
- Promover la Seguridad Física y Emocional de un Niño. Sabado, Abril 10, 10am-12pm
- Capacitación para los Padres de Apoyo el Bienestar Sexual y Reproductivo para los Jóvenes Bajo Crianza Temporal Viernes, Abril 23, 9am-11am
- Disciplina Positiva Viernes, Mayo 7, 9am-11am
- Desarrollo Infantil Sabado, Mayo 22, 10am-12pm
- Problemas de Salud Física Viernes, Mayo 28, 9am-11am
- Capacitación para los Padres de Apoyo el Bienestar Sexual y Reproductivo para los Jóvenes Bajo Crianza Temporal Sabado, Junio 12, 10am-12pm
- Promover la Seguridad Física y Emocional de un Niño Viernes, Junio 25, 9am-11am
Elevate Your College Experience
The Guardian Scholars program is part of the Riverside Area Multi-Campus Network (MCN) supporting foster youth on the Riverside City College (RCC), Moreno Valley College (MVC), and University of California, Riverside (UCR), campuses. Our collaboration seeks to promote the transfer of information and resources to support our students across all campuses.
The program helps foster youth realize their post-secondary education is a step towards self-sufficiency, a stronger self-identity and a solid foundation for a bright future. They will attend classes at RCC and develop personal connections with RCC staff, faculty and fellow students in an inclusive, supportive environment and community. They will enjoy their time at RCC and build relationships that will last a lifetime.
This program is made possible through a generous grant provided by the Pritzker Foundation, and RCC Student Equity funding.
Dedicated Counselors & Staff assistance, including:
- Applications
- Registration
- Financial Aid
- Emergency Needs
- Campus & Community Resources
- Student Educational Plans
- Community Involvement Opportunities
Guardian Scholar Resource & Engagement Center
- Computers Access
- Printers
Study Area - Cell Phone Chargers
- Snacks
Workshops
- Financial Literacy
- Reducing Stress
- Healthy Habits
Off-Campus Events
Technology Loans
- laptops
Etc.
- Between the ages of 18 - 25 years old
- Been in foster care any time after the age of 13
- Submit the GS application to the Foster Youth Specialist
- Submit your Dependency Verification Letter (also known as Ward of the Court Letter)
- Be a current or prospective RCC student
Riverside City College
(951) 222-8878
Transitioning to College
Foster Youth Support Network – Riverside Community College District
To expand college access and success for foster youth, Moreno Valley, Norco, and Riverside City colleges created the Foster Youth Support Network (FYSN), which provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to create a connected and coordinated safety net for foster youth transitioning from high school.
The FYSN has developed a regional framework to support comprehensive, interagency collaboration and coordination of services related to foster youth’s college transition and success, and provides direct, continuous support and resources to foster youth in grades 9-12 in order to increase their college readiness and prepare them for a seamless transition into higher education.
With district-wide coordination, Riverside City College embeds a Student Resource Specialist within high schools in the Alvord, Jurupa, and Riverside Unified School Districts. The Resource Specialist works closely with their institution’s partners to simultaneously lower barriers to enrollment and promote success through a case management model, empowering foster youth to take an active role in planning for a transition to higher education. Support provided includes college and career exploration lessons, referrals to academic support, and one-on-one assistance with college and financial aid applications.