Creating Successful Transitions for Foster Youth

Blueprint Conference 2013

Presented by Michael Edwards, Sara Gamez,

Michael McPartlin, Karen Micalizio Brianna Roberts, Daniel Harris-Lucas

Present resources to support foster youth in pursuit of attending a California Community College or California State University

GOAL

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Workshop participants

will learn about:

•  Academic support programs on CCC\CSU campuses

•  Important elements of educational legislation

•  The foster youth student perspective

Statistics vs. Successes

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Knowledge •  Law • Resources •  Support Services

Preparation & Planning

Advocacy

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Barrier: Access → Only 15% of youth in foster care are likely to be enrolled in

college prep courses during high school compared to 32% of all students.

→ Only 50% of youth in foster care complete high school, compared to 70% of their peers.

→ 70 - 80% of youth in foster care report the desire to go to college.

→ Only 20% of college-qualified foster youth attend postsecondary education, compared to about 60% of their college-qualified peers.

→ Historically, only 1-3% have attained a college degree, compared to about 27% of the general adult population.

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California Community College Foster Youth Statistics

→ Data submitted by the CCCs indicates that approximately 6,000-7,000 youth are being served annually.

→ A 2013 survey by California College Pathways found that 35 campuses have high-touch established programs and 42 more have lighter-touch programs.

→ During the 2012-13 close to 2,500 youth attending a CCC received a Chafee grant award (totaling $6.9 million in support).

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→ FYSI-The Foster Youth Success Initiative provides a key point of contact at every California community college to advocate and assist youth.

Visit this link for the most current listing of FYSI liaisons:

http://extranet.cccco.edu/Divisions/StudentServices/FosterYouthSuccessInitiatives.aspx

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Foster Youth Support Programs at California Community Colleges

California Community College Access → A growing number of community colleges have Guardian

Scholar-type efforts which provide a variety of services for foster youth alumni at their college. This service may be housed in an EOP&S, Financial Aid, or Counseling Office OR be a free standing program of the College.

To research CCC support programs go to:

http://www.cacollegepathways.org/explore-campus-support-programs

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First Steps at a California Community College

There are many points of entry at most CCCs. First steps should include:

→ Completing an on-line Admissions application: •  Found at http://home.cccapply.org/ •  Youth can select the college of their choice and will be routed

directly to the college�s website for further instructions.

→ Appling for Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS)

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Applying early is important to ensure youth can take advantage of priority class enrollment and programs that fill up quickly

Next Steps at a California Community College

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Ensuring college fees are paid

Meeting with an academic counselor to choose classes

Participating in a college orientation session

Completing Math and English Placement Testing →Youth can get assistance at all CCCs to ensure they receive these required services

→"Completing placement testing, orientation & educational planning are ALL requirements to maintain priority enrollment

Even with BOG fee waiver, non-payment of nominal health and other fees can result in disenrollment

Financial Aid at a California Community College

→ Completing a Free Application for Student Federal Aid: otherwise known as the FAFSA: https://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

→ Completing a Chafee Grant application: https://www.chafee.csac.ca.gov/

→ Completing a Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver application: http://www.cccapply.org/bog_waiver/

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It is important to apply for financial aid early, to receive as much non-loan based aid as

possible.

CSU Completion Rates 6 Years Post Enrollment

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Overall – all students 52% Low socio-economic status 44% Hispanic students 40% First generation college students 43% African American students 38% GED completers 27% Independent students 22% Foster youth 20%

Foster Youth Support Programs on California State Universities

→ California State Universities have on-campus support programs for foster youth such the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), the Guardian Scholars Program, Renaissance Scholars Program and other foster youth support programs can provide services for these students. Similar programs can be found on University of California campuses.

All CSU support programs can be found at http://

www.cacollegepathways.org/explore-campus-support-programs

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Support Services May Include:

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Outreach and Recruitment

Admissions assistance

Financial assistance

Housing assistance

Orientation to college life (e.g. EOP Summer Bridge)

Academic advising and monitoring

Counseling and support

Mentorship opportunities

Life skills workshops

Employment opportunities

Social and quarterly

celebrations

Post-graduation career

planning & assistance

Student Drop-In Center Scholarships

→ A list of questions are available on the California College Pathways website to help Foster Youth determine which campus has the most appropriate resources to support their college needs.

Helping Youth Select the Right University

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You can obtain a list of these questions at:

http://www.cacollegepathways.org/sites/default/files/questions_to_campus_support_programs_0.pdf

Hurdles in Getting Youth into CSU Programs

→ Youth has not submitted a CSU application

→ Lack of follow-through once application is submitted

→ Inability to contact student via telephone or email

→ Timely submission of dependency verification forms

→ Fees and Transportation – specifically to attend Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration (SOAR), Early Start, and Summer Bridge (if they are a conditional student)

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Financial Aid Facts

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At the CSU most foster youth qualify for the Pell Grant, Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, College

Grants (SUG, UG, EOP), Private

Scholarships and Work-Study.

Less than 4% of foster youth who complete the

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA) receive all three of the most common grants (Pell, Cal, and

Chafee).

HOWEVER

Foster Youth Educational Planning Guide → What�s Inside?

Checklists, tips and information to support foster youth from 7th grade through 12th grade who have a dream of a college education.

→ Who should have one? Foster youth, caregivers, social workers, educators and advocates.

→ Why do I need it? To monitor and track the educational progress of foster youth to career and college preparation.

Visit the CCP homepage for a link to the planning guide 19

AB 194

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Provides priority registration to current/former foster youth up to age 24 at Community Colleges and California State University campuses

Requests that University of California campuses provide priority registration to current/former foster youth

The bill is schedule to sunset in 2017

AB 1393

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Requests California’s public post- secondary education systems that maintain student housing facilities to give priority to current and former foster youth.

Requests that campuses that maintain student housing facilities open for occupation during school breaks or on a year-round basis, give priority to current and former foster youth.

California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB 12)

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•  Extends foster care for eligible youth up to age 21

•  Provide extended assistance up to age 21 to two other populations !  Youth placed by juvenile court with a nonrelated legal

guardian (without regard to age of youth when guardianship was ordered)

!  Youth placed by the juvenile court with a kinship guardian (KinGAP) after age 16 (or any age with disability)

•  Non-minor dependent placement options (SILP)

California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB 12)

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The youth must:

1. Sign a mutual agreement with the county child welfare or probation agency or tribe that has a IV�E agreement with the state for supervision and support;

2. Continue under the supervision of the juvenile court as a dependent or a ward;

3. Meet one of the five participation conditions; and

4. Agree to live in a supervised placement that is licensed or approved under new standards for 18 to 21 year olds.

California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB 12)

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The are five participation conditions. A youth must be:

1. Completing high school or an equivalent program (i.e. GED); or

2. Enrolled in college, community college or a vocational education program; or

3. Participating in a program designed to remove barriers to employment; or

4. Employed at least 80 hours a month; or

5. Unable to do one of the above requirements because of a medical condition.

What You Can Do

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1.  Encourage youth to pursue higher education and track their progress closely.

2.  Meet with youths’ high school counselors to ensure they are on the right track.

•  Make sure youth are completing the A-G requirements! 3.  Encourage youth to prepare for a college or university by

participating in college prep programs like AVID, Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search

4.  Help connect youth to resources to prep for college entrance exams like ACT, SAT, EPT, ELM

5.  Find out more information about the county Independent Living Program and the resources they offer to help support youth.

Theory into Practice

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Please help us welcome our student panelists, who will share their real life experience within the

California post-secondary environment.

Brianna Roberts, CSU San Bernardino

Daniel Harris-Lucas, CSU Sacramento

Questions &

Answers

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