JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — VyStar Credit Union said it has partnered with Family Support Services (FSS) on a program designed to provide financial education and banking access to youth in foster care in Florida.

The program officially debuted with a “Financial Independence Signing Day” event held at the VyStar Credit Union Roosevelt branch in Jacksonville.

“Financial Independence Signing Day was a high-energy, celebratory event, much like a college signing day,” VyStar CU said. “The first group of individuals who successfully completed VyStar’s Fostering Financial Fitness program and received their emancipation orders proudly took a major step toward adulthood. Instead of committing to a school, they committed to their financial future, symbolically signing for their first checking and savings accounts and embracing financial independence. To accommodate foster youth who may face transportation challenges, a virtual component was added to the Financial Fitness training, making it easier for them to complete the program. As a result, 36 foster youth have successfully completed the training.”

Foster-Friendly Branches

As part of VyStar’s Fostering Financial Fitness program, the credit union said its Florida branches will be designated as Foster Friendly branches where member services representatives have received training to assist youth in foster care with opening bank accounts and provide support as they navigate the financial process.

“As a community-based credit union, VyStar is dedicated to ensuring every young adult, especially those aging out of foster care has access to the financial tools they need to succeed,” Chief Marketing Officer Dana Karzan said in a statement. “By offering a fully online financial education course and making account access easier, we’re removing unnecessary barriers and helping youth in foster care build a strong financial future.” 

Foster Youth Struggles

According to VyStar, youth in foster care often struggle to open checking and savings accounts due to legal barriers, limiting their ability to develop financial independence. The credit union noted that in 2022 alone, 18,500 youth nationally exited foster care without being adopted, placing them at higher risk of financial instability, homelessness, and other adverse life experiences. 

FSS reported just over 1,200 youth in out-of-home care in Duval and Nassau counties at Florida at the end of March 2025, including 360 young people ages 13-23 in foster care.