nacada 2012 presentation
TRANSCRIPT
FROM RED TAPE TO RED CARPET: PROMOTING ACADEMIC SUCCESS FOR ALUMNI OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM
NACADA
Portland, Oregon
March 19, 2012
Melissa Raap, MSW
Maddy Day, MSW
Janice Cole
PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES Begin to recognize community
organizations with which you can partner to support student success in higher education.
Understand strategies and models to assist with making college access and success a reality for youth who have been in foster care.
Identify concrete ways to prepare youth in foster care for self advocacy in higher education.
2009 STATISTICS FOR YOUTH IN CARE 463,000 children in foster care. 53 % were male and 47 % were female. 61% percent of youth in foster care are
children of color. 9.8 years old is the median age of
children in foster care (foster care includes youth from 0-18 years old).
13.3 months is the median amount of time children spend in foster care.
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/foster.cfm#outcome
STATISTICS FOR ALUMNI OF CARE 5% of alumni of foster care have received their
Bachelor’s degree by the age of 26 compared to 36% of the general population.
79% female alumnae of foster care reported ever being pregnant by the age of 26 and 32% reported having been pregnant before age 18.
42% of female and 74% of males was incarcerated for some time by age 26. Compared to 6% of females and 23% of males in the general population.
51% reported being unemployed. 25-36% report having been or currently being
homeless. 26-30% report receiving public assistance.
Courtney, M., Dworsky, A., Brown, A., Cary, C., Love, K., & Vorhies, V. (2011). Midwest evaluation of the adult functioning of former foster youth: Outcomes at age 26. Chicago, IL: Chapin Hall at the
University of Chicago
Facts About Foster Care. www.fostercaremonth.org.
CHAMPIONS PROGRAMMission: The mission of the University of Washington Champions Program is to provide holistic support for youth and alumni of foster care, ensuring academic success and preparation for lifelong achievement after graduation from postsecondary education.Objectives: Recruit diverse youth of foster care for University of Washington
undergraduate programs. Support established educational services for youth in foster care
in Washington State. Develop smooth transitions for students to and from the
University of Washington. Provide direct support for alumni of foster care, addressing their
unique circumstances and background. Build collaborative network of staff and faculty on campus to
support the needs of alumni of foster care. Eliminate the stigma of foster care on campus and create an
environment educated and aware about the culture of foster care.
CHAMPIONS PROGRAM DEMOGRAPHICS
Winter 2012 Students (N=37)
Gender Mean Age Age Range 18-21 22-25 26-29 30-33 34-37 38-41 M F
41% 59% 22.3 18-41 70% 14% 3% 8% 3% 3%
Ethnic Description
AMERICAN-INDIAN AFRICAN-AMERICAN ASIAN CAUCASIAN HISPANIC NOT INDICATED
11% 11% 24% 38% 14% 3%
Class
FRESHMAN SOPHMORE JUNIOR SENIOR 14% 19% 32% 35%
BOARD OF CHAMPIONS Current UW Champions
Student Housing and Food Services Financial Aid Counseling Center First Year Programs-
Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards
Undergraduate Admissions UW School Social Work
Faculty Casey Family Programs
Current UW Champions Alumni/Graduate Student
Seattle University Fostering Scholars
Vice President of Minority Affairs/Vice Provost for Diversity
YMCA Young Adult Services
Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity Academic Counseling Services
College Success Foundation
Treehouse
INTERACTIVE NETWORK MAP
Campus-Based
Support Programs
Seattle University Fostering Scholars
Seattle Central
Community College
Spokane Falls
Community College
Centralia Community
College
Everett Community
College
Scholarship Programs
College Success Foundation• Governor's
Scholarship
• Passport Scholarship
• Destination Graduation
Community Agencies
Casey Family Programs
YMCA Center for Young
Adults• Independent Living Program
• SET-Up
Treehouse• High School
and Middle School
Prorgams
UW School of Social Work
Dean and FacultyMSW
Practicum Program
Children's Administration
Foster Care to 21 Liason
Education Advocacy
Liason
UW Campus Support
Vice President
of Minority Affairs and Diversity
Financial Aid
Counseling Center
Food and Housing Services
Outreach and
Admissions
First Year Programs
Office of Merit
Scholarships and Awards
TRiO/EOP
GUIDING STUDENTS TOWARD SUPPORT What financial aid package is used for
alumni of foster care at your college? Does it consider the added costs of attending
college for foster youth (year-round housing, for example)?
Is there an Independent Living Program alumni of foster care can access?
How do students affiliate with a program like the Educational Opportunity Program or TRiO on your campus?
Are there other programs and resources that would be beneficial to youth and alumni of foster care on your campus?
PEER MENTORING AND
COMMUNITY BUILDING
