GROWING LEADERS Opportunity. Engagement. Achievement. Emma Ramirez Guardian Scholars Program Supporting Foster Youth Students Attain Their Educational Dreams Guardian Scholars Program Coordinator

GROWING LEADERS Opportunity. Engagement. Achievement. Reasons for Removal Due to these various reasons for removal from biological families, foster youth face physical and emotional problems that interfere with their learning and negatively impact their educational outcomes. NOTE: Based on a sample of 11, 337 foster youth in grades 9-11 from through in California public schools.

GROWING LEADERS Opportunity. Engagement. Achievement. Introduction In 2006, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) recognized that a significant number of youth from foster care were struggling to find support and assistance obtaining financial aid. A concerted effort sponsored by CCCCO, called the Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI), was developed as a result of those findings. In 2008, the Foster Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act was passed. This allowed the field of “foster youth in higher education” to become a new practice arena.

GROWING LEADERS Opportunity. Engagement. Achievement. Legislative Advocacy Accomplishments AB 12AB 12 (2010), the California Fostering Connections to Success Act, extended foster care to age 21 in California. AB 194AB 194 (2011) provides for priority registration at community colleges, California State Universities and University of California campuses for current and former foster youth. AB 592AB 592 (2015) provides authorization to the California Department of Social Services to provide verification of foster care status to current and former foster youth. AB 595AB 595 (2013) requires all students who are otherwise eligible for priority enrollment (including foster youth) to complete orientation, assessment and an educational plan in order to gain access to priority enrollment. AB 669AB 669 (2009) allows colleges and universities to grant resident status to foster youth under the age of 19 who were residing out of state as a dependent or ward under California’s child welfare system.

GROWING LEADERS Opportunity. Engagement. Achievement. High School Foster Youth Foster youth in California high schools differ from their general population peers on several demographic characteristics: About one-quarter of foster youth had a disability, in contrast to about one-tenth of general population youth. About one-half of foster youth attended schools in the bottom 30 percent of the school performance distribution; two-fifths of general population youth attended such schools. On the California Standards Test (CST) in English-Language arts, one-half of foster youth scored in the lowest two out of five performance levels. Among general population youth, one-quarter of students scored in the lowest two performance levels. Foster youth were more likely than general population youth to attend schools with low performance ranks on California’s Academic Performance Index (API) and had lower English-language arts achievement

GROWING LEADERS Opportunity. Engagement. Achievement. Monterey County High School Demographics Monterey County High Schools with Highest Number of Foster Youth Students Everett Alvarez High School Monterey County Home Charter Monterey High School Salinas Community South County (Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, King City)

GROWING LEADERS Opportunity. Engagement. Achievement. Monterey County Non Minor Dependents Basic Eligibility Requirements 1)Working toward completion of high school or equivalent program (e.g., GED); OR 2)Enrolled in at least 6 units in college, community college or a vocational education program; OR 3)Employed at least 80 hours a month; OR 4)Participating in a program designed to assist in gaining employment; OR 5)Unable to do one of the above requirements because of a medical condition. Remaining in foster care after age 18 is voluntary. Non-minor dependents can exit at age 18 or at any subsequent time before age 21. Youth who exit at age 18 can re-enter foster care at any time before age 21. Probation youth who are in a foster care placement are also eligible for EFC.. Total: 74

GROWING LEADERS Opportunity. Engagement. Achievement. Barriers to Retention Learning disabilities Unresolved trauma and other mental health issues Lack of self-efficacy Uncertain how to ask for help Not being able to balance (work, school, family, housing, supportive relationships, developing life skills, etc.) Difficulty navigating college system Most are first-generation, low-income students Lack of food and unstable housing Lack of child care Discouraged after being put on academic probation or after loss of financial aid No sense of belonging No one to advocate for them and/or lack of self advocacy skills Lacking someone who believes in them, motivates them and/or holds them accountable

GROWING LEADERS Opportunity. Engagement. Achievement. Current Hartnell Foster Youth Students Spring 2016: 32 enrolled at school Age ranges: Females 9 Males 1 student transferring at the end of Spring 2016 Students are signed up for various volunteer opportunities on campus, leadership opportunities (MILE and WELI), attending campus events (college tours, Women’s Leadership Institute, etc. ) Have been connected to student and academic support, such as Mi CASA, EOPS, Calworks, tutoring services, DSPS and will be signing up for Math Academy 2016

GROWING LEADERS Opportunity. Engagement. Achievement. Hartnell College Guardian Scholars Program The Guardian Scholars Program at Hartnell College is a foster youth student support program. Our mission is to support the college transition, retention, and ultimate completion of the educational goals of former foster youth. One goal is to support Hartnell foster youth students and ensure that their educational goals (certificate, AA and/or transfer to a four-year college) are attained. Another goal is to spread awareness of this Hartnell student population and to establish partnerships with other programs and faculty/staff in order to ensure that foster youth and their needs are supported.