Training Overview

 Supporting Success: Overview of Campus-Based
Programs for Youth Aging out of Foster Care
 Mentoring for Educational Success: A Partnership
between Children’s Network of SWFL and Florida
Gulf Coast University
 Foster Care Youth & Navigating the Higher
Education Pipeline
Foster Youth and
Postsecondary Education

 FFY lag behind
counterparts not in care
 More than 1/3 of FFY do
not have a HS diploma by
age 19
 > 20% enrolled in college
 >3% graduate from college
 FFY report high
aspirations for college!!
Presented by:
Dr. Heather Farineau, LCSW
Director, Child Welfare Institute
Florida Atlantic University School of Social Work &
Dr. Karen Randolph
Agnes Flaherty Stoops Professor in Child Welfare
Florida State University College of Social Work
Overview of Research
Studies

 Needs Assessments
 Experiences of Coordinators
 Descriptive Studies
 Few Program Evaluations
List of Evaluated
Programs

California State Programs
 Renaissance Scholars
 Guardian Scholars
 Pathways to College
Washington State
 Governor’s
Scholarship
Texas State
University
 Western Michigan University
 Seita Scholars
 FACES
Components of Successful
Programs

Institutional Support
 University Point Person
 Advisory Committee
Financial Services
 Tuition support
 Educational expenses
support
Academic
Support
 Academic
Advisor
 Tutoring
 Summer bridge
programs
Components of Successful
Programs

Social/Emotional
Services
 Counseling services
 Mentoring
 Participant network
of support
Physical Health
Services
 Referrals
Housing services
 Year-round housing
What Do Youth Say??

 Importance of Relationships
 Other Former Foster Youth
(FFY)
 Program staff
 Academic Advisement is very
important
 Choosing courses and a
major
 Financial assistance is critical
 Educational expenses
 Housing expenses
One’s Youth
Perspective…

 Navigating the requirements for programs can be difficult
 Follow-up and mentoring should occur biweekly

Takes time to develop trusting relationship

Programs should be individualized

Challenges: Procrastination, Avoidance coping, Poor time
management, Educational disruptions prior to college
References

Crammer, D., Thomas, K., Cugno, R., Pann, J., Hellman, M. , Carter, S., & Yehl, A. (n.d).
Aging out: Transitional pathway from foster care to college and beyond. Miami, FL:
Nova University.
Davis, R. J. (2006). College access, financial aid, and college success for undergraduates from foster
care. Washington, DC: National Association of Student Financial Aid Administration.
Dworsky, A. &Perez, A. (2010). Helping former foster youth graduate from college
through campus support programs . Children and Youth Services Review, 32, 255-263.
Hernandez, L. & Naccarato, T. (2010). Scholarships and supports available to foster care
alumni: A study of 12 programs across the US. Children And Youth Services Review, 32,
758-766.
Lovitt, T. & Emerson, J. (2008). Foster youth who have succeeded in higher education:
Common themes. National Center on Secondary Education and Transition, 7, 1-6.
Merdinger, J. M., Hines, A. M., Osterling, K. L., & Wayatt, P. (2005). Pathways to college for
former foster youth: Understanding factors that contribute to educational success.
Child Welfare , 84, 867-896.
Watt, T. T., Norton, C.L., & Jones, C. (2013). Designing a campus support program for
foster care alumni: Preliminary evidence for a strengths framework. Children and Youth
Services Review , 35, 1408-1417.
Presented by:
Michelle Farquharson, QM Director,
Children’s Network of SWFL
Dr. Belinda Bruster, Ph.D., LCSW
Florida Gulf Coast University
Objectives

 History
 Community and University Collaboration
 Project Development
 Programmatic Structure
 Lessons Learned
 Program Evaluation
OUTCOMES

 Fewer than 50% of Florida’s
foster kids graduate from
High School…
 30% of Former Foster Kids
are Likely to Be Substance
Abusers…
 Up to 85% of Youth in Foster
Care Have Mental Health
Issues…
 40% of Former Foster Care
Youth Become Parents
Within 2 Years of Leaving
Foster Care…
 25% of Former Foster Care
Kids Will be Homeless
within ONE Year…
 75% of Former Foster Care
Kids Experience
Unemployment…
 1 in 4 Former Foster Care
BOYS and 1 in 10 GIRLS
End up in Prison
Partnership Collaboration

 CNSWFL and FGCU Leadership addressed the
opportunities for partnership.
CNSWFL:
 Met with Case
Management
Organizations
 Independent Living
Service Providers
FGCU:
 Met with students to
discuss the project,
answer questions and
concerns
OUTCOMES

Research states teens aging out have a 32% poverty rate in
order for the cycle to end they must complete one the
following
1) Graduate HS
2) Complete a vocational
program
3) Complete postsecondary
educational program
Focus on Data

2010 Nearly 18,700 youths in out-of-home care in in Florida.
47% were in licensed care.
Circuit 20
July 1, 2010
July 1, 2015
Variance
Total Population served
1455
1903
30.79% 
Total out of home care
877 (60%)
1240
41.39% 
Total number in licensed
care
461 (32%)
621
34.7% 
Total number of youths
ages 13-17
191 (13%)
135
29.31% 
Mission Statement

 The mission is to provide enrichment opportunities to
at risk youths in foster care beginning at 7th grade.
 Goals:






COLLEGE is not a myth! Real life immersion
Exposure to education, college life, careers
Academic Achievement
Leadership
Citizenship
Service Excellence
Project Development

Phase I CNSWFL :
Phase I FGCU:
 Allocate staff
 Develop calendar
 Identify funding
sources
 Coordinate
logistics
 Duration of this
phase
 Develop survey
instruments
 Develop calendar
 Research grants
 Duration of this
phase
Phase I: FGCU: Mentor
Selection

 Child Welfare course Undergrad / Graduate students
 Outline Program requirements
 Service Learning
 Orientation
Phase I: CNSWFL: Mentee
Selection





Program Brochures / Literature
Engage stakeholders
Identification of youth
Follow up telephone calls / in person contact
Project Development

Phase II: CNSWFL
 Program overview for selected
youths and caregivers
 Obtained releases
 Engaged youth’s supports
(GAL, Mentor)
 Weekly debrief with youth
 It is the goal of this Phase to
assure the youth and mentor
are provided the adequate
resources and support to
promote full participation in
the program
Phase II: FGCU
 Match BSW student and
foster care youth
 Rapport building
 Administer Survey
Project Development

Phase III: CNSWFL
Phase III: FGCU
 Group and Individual
Debrief
 Program Evaluation
 Monitor outcomes for
youths
 Administer Mentor
and Mentee survey
 Data Collection and
Analysis.
Programmatic Structure

 9 weeks (standing day)
 Mentors and mentees met once per week
typically from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm on the FGCU
campus
 Dinner (Visa debit card)
 Engagement
 Review agenda of activities
Activities

Campus tour
Student housing
Campus beach
Observe a collegiate athletic activity
Attend a Theatre / Art production
Observe a class (discipline varies according to availability)
Academic Advisor
 Educational opportunities
 Local state college
 Exposure to career opportunities
 WGCU (radio and television)
 Eco Farm
 Off campus event
 ROPES course







Final Week

 Graduation Event





Highlight Talents
Photo / Video recording
Complete survey
Certificates
Dignitary and supports
Program Highlights

Educational Status of participants

Mentee Graduates 2010 – Spring 2015
Middle School
1
High School
38
GED
3
Vocational Program
1
College
11
Total
54
Post Secondary Status

Mentee Graduates 2010 – Spring 2015
Completed High School
14
Attending College
11
Some College
2
Vocational Program
1
Success can be achieved!

But HOW?
Lessons Learned

Collaboration
Open line of communication
Funding
Engagement
Rapport building
Active listening
Interviewing
Flexibility
Unconditional positive
regard
 Setting boundaries


















Peer supervision
Professional supervision
Clarification
Setting realistic goals
Education
Critical thinking
Networking
Validating
Self reflection
Challenges

 Funding
 Interdepartmental administrative support
 Time allocation
 Trauma impacted youth (mild to moderate behavioral
concerns)
Q&A

 How is this program promoted within the
community?
 What is the main funding source?
 How do you effectively engage youth who have
experienced trauma?
 What’s the sustainability plan?
References

References (partial list)
 Ahrens, K., et al. (2008). Youth in Foster Care with Adult Mentors
During Adolescence Have Improved Adult Outcomes. Pediatrics, 121
246-252.
 Allen, M. and Nixon, R. (2000). ”The Foster Care Independence Act
and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program: New
Catalysts for Reform for Young People Aging
Out of Foster Care.”
Journal of Poverty and Policy: July-August.
 Anderson, G., (2003). Aging Out of the Foster Care System: Challenges
and Opportunities for the State of Michigan. Michigan Applied Public
Policy Research Program.
 Barth, R. (1990). On their own: The experiences of youth after foster
care. Child and Adolescent Social Work 7(5) 419-440.
References

 Chronicle of Higher Education (2005). Foster Children Need Help to Overcome
Obstacles to Higher Education. Retrieved from
http://chronicle.com/daily/2005/12/2005121504n.htm
 Child Welfare League of America (2003) Number of Children in Out of Home
Care, by age group. Retrieved from
http://ndas.cwla.org/data_stats/states/Data_Trends/Florida%20State%
20Data%20Trends
pdf
 Child Welfare League America (2010). Florida’s Children 2010. Retrieved from
http://www.cwla.org/advocacy/statefactsheets/2010/florida.pdf
 Council on Social Work Edcuation Inc (2008). Educational Policy and
Accreditation Standards.
 de Anda, D (2001). A Qualitative Evaluation of a Mentor Program for at risk
youth: the participant’s perspective. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
vol.18 #2
References

 Dworsky, A., Perez, A. (2009). Helping Former Foster Youth Graduate
From College
Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
 e! Science News (2010) Mentoring, skills development associated with
improved mental health in foster care children. Retrieved from
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/08/02
mentoring.skills.development.
 Fernades, A. (2006). Notice of Proposed Rule Making to Implement the
Chafee Foster Care Independence Act Database. Congressional
Research Service. Retrieved from http://www.nilausa.org/
membersonly/Chafee%20CD%20final.pdf
 Florida Safe Families Network, Children Active Receiving Services,
6/30/2010
Prepared by:
Lisa Jackson, MSW,
Unconquered Scholars Program Coordinator,
Florida State University
David Kenton, J.D.,
Assistant Dean of Minority Education,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Unconquered Scholars

The Higher Education
Pipeline

Installation of Hope
Enrichment Opportunities
Plan & Prepare
Transition
Campus Support
Student Success
Installation of Hope

 Critical component
 Simple conversations
 Offers a sense of possibility
 Builds confidence
 Can produce motivation to achieve academically
Enrichment
Opportunities

 Campus exposure
 Tours
 Summer camps
 Workshops
 Exposure to college life
 Career familiarity
 Contact
 Internships
 Professional mentoring
Plan & Prepare

 Academics
 College readiness programs
 ACT/SAT preparation
 College Admission
 Requirements
 Deadlines
 Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Congratulations, you are admitted!
…Now what?
Transition
Through Collaboration

Student
CBC
Campus
Coordinator
Transition Elements

 Transcripts
 Institutional paperwork
 Housing arrangements
 Move to campus
 Fees
 Meal planning
 Financial preparation
 Continued contact with CBC
Campus Support

 Dedicated Program
Professional(s)
 Student Driven Program
 Strengths-based Approach
 One-on-One Meetings
 Student Engagement
Programming
 Summer Bridge Program
 Financial Aid Assistance
 Academic Advising
 Housing Assistance










Counseling Services
Student Disability Services
Meal Plan Assistance
Tutoring
Health Services
Advocacy
Campus Ally Development
Service Opportunities
Leadership Development
Trauma Informed Practice
For more information about the Unconquered
Scholars Program contact [email protected].
In their own words…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89aiEnH8xyQ&feature=youtu.be
Early Data

Unconquered Scholars Program
Retention at FSU
95.5%
Retention at University Level
97.5%
Cumulative GPA of Scholars at FSU
2.97
First Cohort Graduates in May 2016
Student Success

 Reach youth early in education
 Instill hope
 Nurture academic motivation and preparation
 Access to college and career experiences
 Multi-level support
Q&A

References




StudentAid.gov, https://studentaid.ed.gov/ sa/sites/default/files /federal-grantprograms.pdf
The Potential of Career and College Readiness and Exploration in Afterschool Programs,
Brand, B., and Valent, A. American Youth Policy Forum.
http://www.expandinglearning.org/expandingminds/article/potential-career-andcollege-readiness-and-exploration-afterschool-programs
Dell Scholars Program, College Readiness Program Guidelines,
http://www.dellscholars.org/scholarship/college-readiness-programs/