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.

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 under the education, child development, and family services industry sector for the direct support profession as an extension of the family and human services career pathway. 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 that 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.