Creating Successful Transitions for Foster Youth Fall 2010 Counselor Conference Presented by CSU Foster Youth Campus Support Programs

Who is a former foster youth? Children who were removed by the courts from their family of origin due to abuse and/or neglect, and placed into the care of extended family members, foster parents or non-relative caregivers until their 18 th birthday.

Barrier: Access Only 15% of youth in foster care are likely to be enrolled in college prep courses during high school compared to 32% of all students. Only about 20% of former foster youth go on to college compared to about 60% of all high school seniors. Only 3% will eventually graduate from college as compared to about 27% of the general adult population. Over 70% of youth in foster care report that they desire to go to college.

Common Barriers to College K-12 school and placement instability Academic/learning gaps Lack of educational advocacy Low high school graduation rates Records transfer and confidentiality issues High rate of homelessness after emancipation Long-term effects of abuse and neglect

Campus Programs CSU Dominguez Hills CSU East Bay, Renaissance Scholars CSU Fresno, Renaissance Scholars CSU Fullerton, Guardian Scholars CSU Los Angeles, Court Scholars CSU Pomona, Renaissance Scholars CSU Northridge, Resilient Scholars CSU Sacramento, Guardian Scholars CSU San Bernardino, EOP Foster Youth Program CSU San Marcos, ACE Scholars CSU Stanislaus, Promise Scholars San Diego State University, Guardian Scholars San Francisco State University, Guardian Scholars San Jose State University, Connect, Motivate, Educate (CME) Society

Campus Support Services May Include: Outreach and Recruitment Admission assistance Financial assistance Housing assistance Orientation to college life (e.g., EOP Summer Bridge) Academic advising and monitoring Counseling and support Mentorship opportunities Life skills workshops Employment opportunities Social and quarterly celebrations Post-graduation career planning and assistance Student Drop-In Center

Scholarship Programs Foster A Dream (Bay Area) Fostering Futures (Bay Area) Larkin Street (Bay Area) Orphan Foundation of America (National) Orangewood Children’s Foundation (Orange County) Silicon Valley Children’s Fund – YES Scholars United Friends of the Children (Los Angeles County) Promise 4 Kids (San Diego County) Board of Governors Fee Waiver- BOG (Community Colleges)

California Student Aid Commission California Chafee Grant Program This is a federally funded program administered through the California Student Aid Commission. Gives up to $5000 to eligible former foster youth to use for career and technical training or college courses at California Community Colleges, Cal State Universities and University of California campuses, etc.

Additional Programs Foster Youth Services (FYS) Established to support the education needs of foster youth in K-12. FYS provide support services to help youth transition through their educational journey while in care. FYS programs are located in 57 of 58 counties and provide local higher education agencies a natural bridge to partners who address the K-12 challenges facing foster youth. Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI) Developed by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) to provide a system-wide framework to support former foster youth by designating a FYSI Liaison at all 112 California Community Colleges. The FYSI produced a manual and resource guide to educate the Liaisons on how to work with students from foster care.

Foster Youth Educational Planning Guide What’s Inside? This planning guide contains checklists, tips and information to support foster youth from 7 th grade through 12 th grade who have a dream of a college education. Who should have one? Foster youth, caregivers, social workers, educators and advocates. Why should I need it? To monitor and track the educational progress of foster youth to career and college preparation. How can I get more? If you would like additional printed copies of the Planning Guide, please contact Jenny Vinopal or (562)

Applying for Admission Apply online at The Online Undergraduate Admission Application to be completed by the student

Admission Application: Step 3 ** Foster youth should complete the income and family size under “independent.” If they do not have any dependents, they should answer “1.” Applying for Admission

Admission Application: Step 11 ** Encourage students to apply for EOP. NOTE: students must first submit an online Undergraduate admission application before completing the online EOP application. Applying for Admission Admission Application: Step 12 ** This section can only be completed once so please make sure the student answers correctly. Foster Youth should mark “yes” to the question that asks, “Are you a foster youth, orphan or ward of the court or were you prior to age 18?”

What You Can Do Connect with the Foster Youth Services (FYS) liaison in your school district or the Foster Youth Success Initiative at the community colleges. Identify foster youth at your school and advocate for school stability (for foster youth to remain in the same school K-12). Prepare and encourage your students to pursue higher education and track their progress closely. Advise students to complete the A-G requirements and get them on the college track early. Find out more information about the county independent living program and the resources it offers.

CSU Foster Youth Support Contact List CSU Bakersfield Keith Powell, Director Educational Support Services 9001 Stockdale Highway Bakersfield, CA (661) CSU Chico Joshua Whittinghill, EOP Advisor Renaissance Scholars 400 West First Street Chico, CA (530) CSU Dominguez Hills Martha Clavelle, Student Support Services 1000 E. Victoria Street Carson, CA (310) CSU East Bay Kevin Bristow, Coordinator Renaissance Scholars Program Carlos Bee Boulevard Hayward, CA (510) CSU Fresno Kizzy Lopez, Coordinator Renaissance Scholars Program 5150 N. Maple Ave., M/S/ JA 62 Fresno, CA (559) CSU Fullerton Grace Johnson, Director Guardian Scholars Program P.O. Box 6828 Fullerton, CA (714) CSU Los Angeles Becky Hopkins, Director Educational Opportunity Program 5151 State University Drive Los Angeles, CA (323) CSU Long Beach Andy Espinoza, Director Educational Opportunity Program 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA (562) CSU Monterey Bay Berj Amir, Retention Advisor Educational Opportunity Program 100 Campus Center, Bldg. 47 Seaside, CA (831) CSU Northridge Jose Luis Vargas, Director EOP Resilient Scholars 1811 Nordoff St. Northridge, CA (818) CSU Sacramento Dr. Joy Salvetti, Director Guardian Scholars Program 6000 J. Street, Sacramento Hall 3014 Sacramento, CA (916) CSU San Bernardino Tristan Garcia, Coordinator EOP Foster Youth Program 5500 University Parkway San Bernardino, CA (909) CSU San Marcos Jim Mickelson, Director ACE Scholars Services 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd. San Marcos, CA (760) CSU Stanislaus Wanda Bonnell, Coordinator Promise Scholars 801 West Monte Vista Ave. Turlock, CA (209) Cal Poly Pomona Sara Gamez, Coordinator Renaissance Scholars 3801 West Temple Ave. Pomona, CA (909) Humboldt State University Adrienne Colegrove-Raymond Academic Support Programs 1 Harpst Street Arcata, CA (707) San Diego State University Josephine Mojica, Assistant Director Guardian Scholars Program 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA (619) San Francisco State University Xochitl Sanchez-Zarama, Director Guardian Scholars Program 1600 Holloway Ave. San Francisco, CA (415) San Jose State University Connie Hernandez-Robbins, Director CME (Connect, Motivate, Educate) Society One Washington Square San Jose, CA (408) CSU Office of the Chancellor Jenny Vinopal, Assistant Director Foster Youth Programs 401 Golden Shore, 6 th Floor Long Beach, CA (562)

Visit for specific programs available to foster youth at the 23 California State University campuses