EFFECTIVELY MANAGING FINANCES AND RESOURCES – FOSTER CARE STUDENT SERVICES AT ACC STEVE CHRISTOPHER ANGELICA CANCINO ROSEANA LAHTI 1

BACKGROUND & HISTORY 2006 Seed planted by Trustee requesting information on services to foster care students Kathleen Christensen, VP of Student Services convened working group 2

BACKGROUND & HISTORY 2006 Conducted student focus groups Cataloged local resources and local/state assistance 3

BACKGROUND & HISTORY 2007 Conducted strategic planning with local/regional stakeholders Attended conferences/webinars/ on- line training 4

BACKGROUND & HISTORY 2008 Formalized Campus Champions - assigned staff as campus point of contact; Convened Foster Care Alumni Committee – local, regional & state stakeholders 5

COMPONENTS OF SERVICES Campus Champions as single point of contact; Textbook/supplies assistance; Bus passes; Emergency financial assistance; Luggage drive; 6

COMPONENTS OF SERVICES Special preparation & orientation for new students; Service coordination (through FCA Committee); Problem solving and community referrals Meet and greets 7

FUNDING AND RESOURCES Institutional support Staffing Infrastructure (offices, furniture, computers, IT/Business Office support, etc.) Childcare/textbooks 8

FUNDING AND RESOURCES Grants Mitte (textbooks/supplies) Perkins (childcare/textbooks/ bus passes) 9

PROGRAM RESTRUCTURE & REALIGNMENT Rationale Organizational structure did not support robust service delivery; Limited case management; Academically-oriented staff – need social work orientation. 10

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Special Skills: Social work background/training; Counseling skills to address personal and academic issues; Ability to manage case load; Good boundaries; 11

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Special Skills Personable – ability to build relationships; Open-minded, non-judgmental; Patience and flexibility; Proactive - ability to anticipate potential issues or problems; Knowledge of community resources. 12

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Students select – based on home campus/most convenient Upon request, may transfer to another campus; Students remain on a case load until graduation, transfer or if they do not return 13

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Students must fill out an application Intake interview/conversation, covers Academic background Personal and family background Finances Career goals Personal issues/challenges 14

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Meetings start early in semester; Level of case management based on intake interview and student academic profile; Methods - keep it flexible -- primarily face to face & phone, ( contacts reserved for low need students only). 15

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Case Management Level High (every 2 – 3 weeks) First Semester, in developmental education courses, First generation college student, Poor academic history ( more than one W on record, 2.0 or less GPA), 16

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Case Management Level High (every 2 – 3 weeks) Under or close to being under Satisfactory Academic Progress; Presents with personal challenges such as unstable housing, family conflict, lack of support, legal issues 17

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Case Management Level Moderate (every weeks) at least 3 semesters of good academic history (no Withdrawals and a >2.5 GPA), TSI complete (in no developmental courses), No current personal challenges or have managed challenges without impacting academic life. 18

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Case Management Level Low (3 times per semester) 5 or more semester of no academic issues; Accepted into an intensive academic program with built in supports (i.e. nursing); Not in crisis….veteran student who knows how to navigate processes, resources, departments; No personal crisis's or has demonstrated ability to manage them effectively. 19

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Meeting topics Transactions (textbook/childcare vouchers, bus passes, etc.); Course selection; Goal setting; Deadline reminders; 20

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Meeting topics Academic progress discussion; Syllabus review; Coaching (as needed), including: Planning and organization Time management; 21

CASE MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW Meeting topics Appropriate use of resources, such as tutoring/learning lab, library, etc. Goal progress review 22

KEYS TO SUCCESS Organizational structure that supports robust service delivery; Social work oriented staff; CASE MANAGEMENT!! 23

Questions?? Comments?? Thank you!! 24