EMBARK: HOW GEORGIA IS HELPING FOSTER AND HOMELESS YOUTH David Meyers & Lori Tiller February 18, 2014

Session Objectives Part I Why are we here? National scan Embark Self-Assessment Q&A Participant Challenge

Foster care means 24-hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or guardians and for whom the State agency has placement and care responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, placements in foster family homes, foster homes of relatives, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, child care institutions, and preadoptive homes. Definition of foster youth

Individuals whose nighttime residence is NOT: Fixed: stationary, permanent, and not subject to change Regular: used on a predictable, routine, or consistent basis Adequate: sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in the home (42 U.S.C.§11434A(2)(B)(i)) Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY): Homeless and not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian; in practical terms, this means the youth does not live with the parent or guardian. Definition of Homeless/Unaccompanied youth

Foster Care and Education Number of children and youth in foster care on 9/30/ ,546 Average number of living arrangements during first FC stay 2.8 Number of foster children of school age 249,107 Likelihood of being absent from school 2x others Percent of foster youth who change school when first entering care 56% - 75% Percent of year olds in care who have experienced 5+ school changes 34% Likelihood of year old foster youth being expelled 3x others Average reading level of years olds in foster care 7th grade Percent of foster youth who complete high school by 18 50% Percent of year old foster youth who want to go to college 84% Percent of foster youth who graduated from high school who attend college 20% Percent of former foster youth who attain a certificate/AA/bachelor's degree 9%

A few examples of DFCS initiatives in Georgia… IDA accounts for youth administered through DHS ETV federal funds administered through DFCS/ILP EPAC Unit at DFCS created to provide comprehensive educational support (Educational Programming, Assessment and Consultation) Recent Data Sharing agreement between DFCS and GaDOE

Initiatives inspired by the Georgia College Access Challenge Grant Creation of a network of post-secondary institutions who communicate the specific needs of this population (Embark) Creating on campus programming (USG/TCSG) Increased opportunities for exposure to college environments such as pre-collegiate experiences (CACG) Training, coaching, and mentoring (ODB) Develop a section of GA College411 that is specifically designed for foster/homeless youth (GSFC) Bring Apply to College and FAFSA events to ILP groups and group homes (GSFC)

WHAT IS HAPPENING NATIONALLY TO SUPPORT THIS WORK?

Program Development Highlights: Designated Leader (DL)/Special Points of Contact (SPOC) Internal and External Champions Collaborations with Community Agencies Data Driven Decision Making Staff Peer Support and Professional Development Sustainability Planning Direct Support Highlights Housing Financial Aid Academic Advising, Career Counseling and Supplemental Support Casey Family Programs - Supporting Success NAEHCY - College Access and Success

Campus Based Programs  Based on Casey Family Programs: Supporting Success Financial Support Academic Support Social/Emotional Support Designated Points of Contact on Campuses Statewide Networks of Support  Promote connectivity and sharing of ideas among Technical and University campuses Regional meetings and Statewide conferences Web based communication and social networking Technical assistance for program development and enhancement National Movement to Increase Supports: Promising Practices in Other States

Goals of Guardian Scholars Program: Short-term outcomes include sustaining academic progress towards educational goals which includes youth obtaining college course credit for all units attempted each semester. Long-term goals include youth obtaining and graduating with bachelor’s degree. California

Michigan Statewide Network: Fostering Success Michigan Western Michigan University Seita Scholars Program Reside on-campus; Maintain full-time student status; Take a seminar course for Seita scholars; Maintain satisfactory academic progress; Participate in academic monitoring; Abide by university codes for campus living; Attend all classes; Attend scheduled program events; Pay bills on time; Meet regularly with a program advisor; Refrain from working off campus; Campus coaches to help navigate campus life.

Washington College Success Foundation Washington College Access Network College Bound Scholarship Specific Initiatives for Foster Youth Make it Happen Passport to College Regional Summits The Washington State Governors’ Scholarship for Foster Youth Passport to College Promise Scholarship Washington University Champions Program

Virginia Great Expectations Individualized tutoring Help applying for college admission and financial aid Career exploration and coaching Help applying for and keeping a job Life skills training, including managing finances Personalized counseling Student mentors

Reach states Texas Texas Ohio Ohio Alabama Alabama North Carolina North Carolina Missouri Missouri 15

EMBARK UGA: Campus Based Support Program Embark UGA will increase the opportunities for UGA students who have experienced foster care or homelessness by providing supports that promote success and well-being beyond an education. Financial support has been provided through USG/CACG, Casey Family Programs and Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

Existing Georgia Campus Programs Institutions with existing programs of support or interest in developing programs: Kennesaw State University (Homeless Specific) Savannah State University Georgia Gwinnett College Georgia State University Southeastern Technical College (Swainsboro campus) Georgia Tech Others??

Embark Georgia: Statewide Network The Embark Georgia statewide network serves post-secondary professionals and institutions to ensure connectivity, share best practices, and provide information exchange among youth, community based stakeholders, and K-12 education.

SELF ASSESSMENT How ready is your campus?

Contact Information Lori Tiller Public Service Faculty (706) Office David Meyers Public Service Faculty (706) Office J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development University of Georgia 1240 S. Lumpkin Street Athens, GA Sources: Georgia College Access Toolkit (include web address) NAEHCY Toolkit Supporting Success Fostering Success in Education: National Factsheet on the Educational Outcomes of Children in Foster Care