Foster Care To College: Utilizing a Community of Partners to Assist At-Risk Students Rachael Stark, Temple University Megan Woltemate, Temple University Tuesday, March 6, 2018 Marriott Downtown Salon G

Who are We? Dr. Rachael Stark: Senior Associate Dean of Students at Temple University Megan Woltemate: CARE Team Case Manager at Temple University

Icebreaker Please go around and share the following Name What institution are you from? Does your institution currently have programming for students who have experienced foster care?

Temple University 8 Campuses Large, Urban, Public 39,000+ Undergraduate/Graduate Students 13,000+ Students Living On/Near Main Campus Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral Programs

Dean of Students Office and CARE Team Engage, Develop, Retain Overall Student Success CARE Team (Crisis, Assessment, Response, Education) Multi-disciplinary body of stakeholders from across the University which receives referrals pertaining to students of concern, collects additional information, and then identifies and enacts appropriate strategies for addressing the situation

Students Who Have Experienced Foster Care 84% of 17-18 year old youth in foster care want to go to college 20% of those who graduate high school go to college 2-9% earn a bachelor’s degree

Students Who Have Experienced Foster Care Depth of research on challenges, practices, and programming limited Factors that may impact disengaging Academic Skills College Fit Maltreatment, Trauma, Mental Health Independent Living Support Casey Foundation Scholars Group 1: Students who remained in school Group 2: Students who disengaged from school

Students Who Have Experienced Foster Care Results Differentiated by group: Time Management, Study Skills and Problem Solving Skills College Fit: Involvement and connectedness Support: Caring adult, insufficient assistance, etc. Correlation with higher disengagement: Maltreatment, Trauma, Mental Health: Any mental health concerns Independent Living: Hours worked

Students Who Have Experienced Foster Care Three open ended survey questions Challenges, Supports, Strengths

Students Who Have Experienced Foster Care Campus Based Program: Western Michigan University-Survey Approach Financial scholarships, uninterrupted housing, and campus coaches Attention to 7 domains: education, finances, housing, health, relationships, identity, and life skills Results: 95% satisfied or extremely satisfied-large emphasis on campus coach 30% Graduation rate

Temple University’s FC2C Program Field Center Cohort West Chester University, Cabrini University, Community College of Philadelphia Program began Fall 2016 Process of identifying population FAFSA: Student Financial Services professional staff member Question #53: “At any time since you turned age 13, were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?"

Temple University’s FC2C Program After answering question #53 Required to submit documentation Student package is based off independent status Students notified of Chafee Program Currently working on having dedicated counselors to different populations for fall When a student is 24 the FAFSA skips this question since students are independent by age

Students who have experienced foster care Temple University’s FC2C Program Temple’s Fall 2017 Numbers 34 students identified via FAFSA 24-Continuing Students 5- Did not submit documentation to garner additional funding 10-New 8 Freshman 2 Transfer Students Students who have experienced foster care Fall 2016   Fall 2017 New 12 (6 FR, 6 TR) 10 (8 FR, 2 TR) Continuing 29 24 Total 41 34 Non-Continuing Student Reason Graduated 6 Deceased 1 Balance LOA 2 Conduct Unknown 4 19

Temple University’s FC2C Program First Steps Connect with successful student from CCP Introduce point-person to student group via email Invite students to a peer networking lunch Free lunch for the students during a large window of time Provide the students with quick info sheets to determine what they would like to see from this program Discussion around student organizations, mentoring programs etc.

Temple University's FC2C Program On-going communication Weekly/Monthly Emails with Opportunities (Awards, Scholarships, Coat Drives, internship opportunities etc.) Check in with students about interest in student organization Welcome back gathering

Temple University’s FC2C Program Additional program features Uninterrupted housing for students over the breaks Emergency Student Aid fund Cherry Pantry resource Create relationships with community partners Continue education on topic through cohort meetings at the Field Center

Community Partnerships Field Center C.B. Community School Achieving Independence Center College-Bound Academy

Community Partnerships Field Center Policy, Practice, and Research Child welfare center Current Project: FC2C campus support programs C.B Community School Competency Based Skill based placement Progress not based on age/time

Community Partnerships Achieving Independence Center Program under Valley Youth House Communal space ages 14-21 Career planning, higher education, tutoring, employment, personal development, etc. College Bound Academy Harold Brooks: Center for Social Policy & Community Development Week long program at Temple experiencing life of a college student Group leaders are former foster care youth

Program Highlights http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/09/17/4-philly-area-colleges-step-up-to-help-foster-youth-succeed/ https://generocity.org/philly/2017/09/20/field-center-penn-foster-youth-college/ http://www.phillytrib.com/four-colleges-offer-support-for-students-from-foster-care/article_017213fe-5c24-5ce1-bbf4-0ae86f7043e0.html

Program Challenges Student Involvement University Resources Department Point Person Housing Identification/Early Intervention

Program Next Steps Different Outreach Approach Multiple Gatherings Per-Semester Garner interest among transfer students Create Stronger Relationship with AIC/Other Partners (Ex. Aramark) Create Calendar/Resource Guide for Students

Questions or Comments?

References Salazar, A. (2012). Supporting college success in foster care alumni: Salient factors related to postsecondary retention. Child Welfare, 91(5), 139-167. Salazar, A., Jones, K., Emerson, J., & Mucha, L. (2016). Postsecondary Strengths, Challenges, and Supports Experienced by Foster Care Alumni College Graduates. Journal of College Student Development, 57(3), 263-279. Unrau, Y., Dawson, A., Hamilton, R., & Bennett, J. (2017). Perceived value of a campus-based college support program by students who aged out of foster care. Children And Youth Services Review, 78, 64-73. Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2014, January 28). Youth in Foster Care Share Their School Experiences. Retrieved from http://www.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/AECF-YouthinFosterCareShareTheirSchoolExperiences- 2014.pdf

Thank you for joining us today! Please remember to complete your online evaluation following the conference. See you in Los Angeles in 2019!