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<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-19</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez</ns0:AuthorText>
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<ns0:Name>Jeff Gonzalez</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title> An act to add Section 12053.5 to the Education Code, relating to vocational education. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>vocational education</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Vocational education: Youth Caregivers Career Pathway program.</ns0:Subject>
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<html:p>Existing law establishes the State Board of Education to provide guidance and support to local educational agencies and other entities that operate schools and preschool programs. The board is also designated as the sole state agency responsible for the administration or supervision of the state vocational education program, as required by provisions of the acts of Congress for the promotion of vocational education, and it is given all necessary power and authority to carry out those provisions of federal law. Existing law establishes the California Workforce pathway Joint Advisory Committee (CWPJAC) in recognition of the need for coordinated delivery of vocational education and training in California, as provided.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require, on or before July 1, 2027, the Governor’s Council for Career Education to assess the challenges and needs of
the state’s youth caregivers and recommend workplace learning strategies to the CWPJAC for developing a Youth Caregivers Career Pathway program for the direct support profession. The bill would require the CWPJAC to appoint, on or before July 1, 2028, an advisory group of subject matter experts to create and establish the Youth Caregivers Career Pathway program, as provided. The bill would require the program to include, among other elements, a focus on in-home caregiving for youth caregivers supporting household family members, a curriculum for youth caregivers caring for a family member in the family member’s home to be eligible for credits for providing that care toward graduation from high school, and preparation for direct support professional careers for youth enrolled in grades 9 to 12, inclusive.</html:p>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
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<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>This act shall be known and may be cited as the Youth Caregiver Support and Career Pathway Act.</html:p>
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
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Family caregivers play an essential role in ensuring the health and safety of millions of Californians, including older adults and those with developmental, physical, or mental health disabilities.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
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According to The Century Foundation and Caring Across Generations, there are an estimated 4.4 million Californians providing unpaid care to family members with a monetary value of $81 billion.
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<html:p>
(c)
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The Legislature acknowledges that while caregiving can be personally satisfying, culturally necessary, and a natural part of the human condition, it can also
be emotionally, physically, and financially challenging.
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<html:p>
(d)
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Most public policy to support caregivers has centered on adult caregivers, but youth caregivers have been largely ignored in the United States and California.
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<html:p>
(e)
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California’s home and community-based services are bolstered by hundreds of thousands of youth caregivers who experience many of the challenges of adult caregivers but may also need additional assistance with their academic, social, and career development.
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<html:p>
(f)
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While some youth caregivers thrive with a sense of purpose and advanced maturity, many others experience isolation from peers, depression, and resentment.
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<html:p>
(g)
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Youth caregivers represent 22 percent of the nation’s high school dropouts, making it difficult to get a job or go to
college.
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<html:p>
(h)
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Youth caregivers from non-White households are disproportionately impacted, experiencing heavier workloads, increased anxiety, antisocial behavioral reactions, mood swings, and feelings of helplessness.
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(i)
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Youth caregivers report feeling sad or depressed at least once per day at rates much higher than noncaregiver youth.
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(j)
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California is experiencing a workforce shortage in direct support professionals in health and human services and is not keeping pace with the needs of people with disabilities or aging adults.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
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Section 12053.5 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Education Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:Num>12053.5.</ns0:Num>
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(a)
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For purposes of this section, “youth caregiver” is defined as a child or youth of an age typical of a pupil in any of grades 9 to 12, inclusive, who provides help or care to any person who has an ongoing health problem or chronic illness, or who is elderly, frail, disabled, or mentally ill.
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(b)
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(1)
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On or before July 1, 2027, in alignment with the Master Plan for Career Education established pursuant to Executive Order No. N-11-23, the Governor’s Council for Career Education shall assess the challenges and needs of the state’s youth caregivers and recommend workplace learning strategies to the California Workforce Pathways Joint Advisory Committee (CWPJAC) for developing a Youth Caregivers Career Pathway program for the
direct support profession.
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<html:p>
(2)
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On or before July 1, 2028, the CWPJAC shall appoint an advisory group of subject matter experts in the areas of supports and services for older adults and those with developmental, physical, or mental health disabilities, current or former youth caregivers and their families, and others with lived experience as a recipient or provider of care to create and establish a Youth Caregivers Career Pathway program for the direct support profession.
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(3)
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The Youth Caregivers Career Pathway program shall include all of the following:
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<html:p>
(A)
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A focus on in-home caregiving for youth caregivers supporting household family members.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
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A curriculum for youth caregivers caring for a family member in the family member’s home to be eligible
for credits for providing that care toward graduation from high school.
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<html:p>
(C)
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Provision of credits and preparation for direct support professional careers for youth enrolled in grades 9 to 12, inclusive.
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(D)
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The necessary training and content for preparation for direct support professional careers that include the principles of Home and Community-Based Services Waivers, and other principles and practices relevant to the care and support of people with developmental, mental health, and physical disabilities, and the needs of older adults.
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(E)
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The monitoring of family member youth caregivers’ risk factors, such as mental and emotional health, social development, academic and educational attainment, physical health, and other areas impacting the youth caregiver, and the provision of necessary referrals for support
services to address identified challenges.
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<html:p>
(F)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A work-based learning strategy that considers the family home a viable location for the Youth Caregivers Career Pathway program.
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(G)
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Consultation by the CWPJAC with individuals with lived experience in receiving services for people with developmental, mental health, or physical disabilities, and older adult supports.
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(H)
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Consultation by the CWPJAC in developing the program with potentially applicable state departments such as the State Department of Developmental Services, State Department of Social Services, California Department of Aging, Department of Rehabilitation, California State Independent Living Council, and State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and statewide associations such as the Association of Regional Center Agencies, California Foundation for
Independent Living Centers, California Association of Area Agencies on Aging, County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, and others to access the existing workforce development training and career ladder information in these fields.
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