City Doubles Number of Youth in Foster Care Enrolled in College for Free Since 2022; Over 4,000 Youth Now Have Dedicated Coaches, With Plans to Expand by 50 Percent
Our Bureau
New York, NY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Commissioner Jess Dannhauser today announced major expansions to several programs designed to help youth in foster care access free college, intensive coaching, and career pathways. The announcement fulfils another key commitment made in Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City address and is backed by a $163 million investment to support five ACS programs serving a total of 8,000 young people.
The city’s headline initiative, Fair Futures, which provides one-on-one coaching, tutoring, career guidance, and independent-living support for youth in foster care or in the juvenile justice system, will expand from serving approximately 4,000 youth to roughly 6,000 — a 50 percent increase. Since its launch in 2019, Fair Futures has become a national model, offering every young person in foster care, ages 11 to 26, a dedicated coach. Under the Adams administration, the program was expanded to include youth involved in the juvenile justice system, significantly strengthening its reach.
In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, Fair Futures coaches — working in partnership with New York City Public Schools — helped the majority of ninth-grade youth in foster care enroll in high schools with above-average graduation rates. Coaches also helped 116 high-school-age youth who had previously dropped out return to an academic setting suited to their needs. With today’s expansion, an additional 2,000 young people will now be able to access these services.
Mayor Adams also announced the expansion of College Choice, a program he launched in 2022 to provide students in foster care enrolled in two- or four-year colleges with tuition assistance, room-and-board support, and a daily stipend. College Choice currently serves 430 youth, up from roughly 200 only two years ago, and will now grow to support 530 students. The program has delivered measurable results: approximately 66 percent of students coached under College Choice completed their semester with a GPA of 2.0 or higher — up from less than 50 percent before Fair Futures was introduced.
Building on this momentum, the city is launching Career Choice, a new program offering youth in foster care financial support and a stipend while they pursue vocational, trade, or job-training opportunities. This initiative recognizes that a traditional college pathway may not meet the needs or aspirations of every young person. As part of Career Choice, ACS will also double the number of youth participating in DYCD’s Advance and Earn program. Career Choice will serve approximately 400 young people and will provide stipends, coaching, financial assistance for school and program fees, and housing support when necessary.
“As I often say, while we can’t change the price of bread, we can put bread in your pocket,” said Mayor Adams. “By helping our most vulnerable — our young New Yorkers in foster care — access college and career opportunities, we are putting money back in the pockets of those who need it most: future generations of New Yorkers. Promises made, promises kept.”
ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser said the expansion underscores the city’s determination to ensure that young people in foster care have “easy access to the tools they need to be successful.”
“Ever since we launched the Fair Futures and College Choice programs, more young people in foster care have had the opportunity to finish high school and attend college,” Dannhauser said. “Today, we’re taking that commitment one step further by expanding these programs and making sure that all young people — not just those who want to go to college — receive the support they need to thrive.”
Officials from other city agencies and partner organizations also praised the expansion. Keith Howard, Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development, said access to programs that “brighten futures, provide skills and wages, and promote healthy relationships” is essential for young people in foster care or the juvenile justice system.
Tracy Jenkins, executive director of the Center for Fair Futures, called the citywide scaling of Fair Futures “a monumental achievement,” noting that it now ensures individualized coaching across all 25 foster care and nine juvenile justice providers. “Thousands of youth will not only achieve academic success but also build the skills and opportunities they need for careers and adulthood,” she said.
Melanie Hartzog, president and CEO of The New York Foundling, highlighted the growth of College Choice, which has expanded from 40 students at select CUNY schools to more than 500 students nationwide. “We are grateful to the Adams administration for its investment and expansion of College Choice,” she said.
Alan Yu, executive director of New Yorkers for Children, praised the launch of Career Choice, saying it “provides a greater array of vocational opportunities with wraparound services” and strengthens young people’s transition to adulthood.
Jeremy Kohomban, president and CEO of The Children’s Village, added, “Just as important as giving our youth family and belonging is ensuring they have the mentorship, education, and opportunities to pursue a vocation they’re passionate about. The launch of Career Choice is truly a game changer.”
