Next Thursday, August 25 from 9:30-11:00 am,
John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) will host a webinar to
share results of a project to increase foster youth utilization
of state and federal tax credits, stimulus checks, and tax
rebates. Participants will learn about the benefits of tax filing
for Transition Age Youth and what it takes to operate a Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance site dedicated to current and former foster
youth.
Amid the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, JBAY established
partnerships with six counties to ensure current and former
foster youth received state and federal tax credits and stimulus
payments only accessible by filing taxes. Free tax filing
services were provided to hundreds of foster youth resulting in
more than $725,000 in cash refunds. The project increased the
annual income of participants by an average of 15%, with an
average 2021 return of $2,396.
The webinar will mark the release of a report documenting the
findings and recommendations from the project. Panelists include
Jenny Serrano from Los Angeles County Department of Child and
Family Services, Anna Johnson from JBAY, and Alexis Obinna, a
former foster youth who volunteered with the project.
When: Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 9:30 a.m.
to 11:00 a.m.
