State highlights youth engagement: Cal Kids expansion and statewide listening sessions

Speaker 3 (Unidentified Speaker) said the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications has worked to "expand access to the Cal Kids program, giving money to kids for college," and to launch California Connects events to connect residents with resources.

Speaker 6 (Unidentified Speaker) described actions by the Youth Empowerment Commission, saying it "held a series of statewide listening sessions to ensure that young Californians' voices shape the future of services." The briefing presented these steps as part of broader outreach to increase youth participation in service and program design.

The presenters framed the measures as intended to broaden access and youth influence; the briefing did not specify funding amounts, eligibility changes, or timelines for program expansion.