Majoring in Success: Supporting TAY in Higher Education Presented by: Tracy Schiro, Assistant Director, San Luis Obispo County DSS Marie Hughes, Education Services Manager, Family Care Network, Inc.

Presenters Tracy Schiro currently serves as the Social Services Assistant Director of San Luis Obispo County.  She oversees the Child Welfare Services, Adult Services, Participants Services (CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, Food Assistance, General Assistance, and Foster Care) and the Workforce Investment (WIA) Program  Committees she has served on include: First 5 Commission, California Welfare Directors’ Children’s Committee, CSEC Action Team, Child Death Review Board, Workforce Investment Board Leadership, Cuesta College Advisory Panel, Children’s Services Network Truancy and Dropout Taskforce, Independent Living Program Advisory Board Tracy’s leadership goals are to eliminate poverty, ensure accessible health care, and secure permanency and well-being for children.

Presenters Marie Hughes is the Education Service Manager for Family Care Network, Inc. & Supervisor for the San Luis Obispo County Independent Living Program.  Served as coordinator for the Transitional Age Youth Financial Assistance Program for nearly four years.  Has worked in a variety of mental health, social service, and foster care positions for nearly 15 years.  Awarded the 2014 Champion of Youth award from the San Luis Obispo Community Foundation for her work with the TAY population..

Learning Objectives  Participants will learn the causes & barriers to foster youth succeeding in higher education  Participants will learn the Best-Practices & solutions for promoting foster youth success in college  Participants will learn about a model program in California and how to replicate it  Participants will learn about other successful models

Multiple Barriers to Participation in Higher Education Educational disruption Effects of past trauma Financial resources Personal support 8% of foster youth attain a post secondary degree by age 26 compared to 47% of same age peers M. Courtney. “Midwest evaluation of the adult functioning of former foster youth: Outcomes at age 26.” 2011

Factors that impact foster youth success  Little to no support  Limited role models with college education  Choosing between working to meet basic needs and education  Limited knowledge on educational and career pathways

Best Practices-Interventions that work Pre-enrollment/attendance strategies Providing housing and other basic needs Campus-based services & supports Social integration and leadership opportunities Financial assistance

Transitional Age Youth Financial Assistance Program (TAY-FAP)

Why TAY-FAP?  Increased awareness that local foster youth face financial barriers to attending post-secondary education, and often times lack personal connections and support systems as well.  Most youth continue receiving assistance from parents until the age of 26 years, we felt a responsibility to the youth in our care to support them in pursuing their education.

Purpose of TAY-FAP To provide financial support to ILP eligible TAY with needs related to enrolling in or maintaining enrollment in school or employment that enhances their ability to achieve independence and self-sufficiency.

Transitional Age Youth Financial Assistance Program (TAY-FAP) ELIGIBILITY Core Requirements for Eligibility  Eligible for ILP** in San Luis Obispo County (this includes THPP, THP+ and THP+FC youth in SLO county) and:  Attending or enrolled in a California University (CSU or UC), California Community College or Vocational Program  Has exhausted all other financing options covered by Financial Aid, Chafee Grants, etc.  Funds will enhance TAY’s ability to achieve independence and self-sufficiency **Exception: If a youth is currently receiving TAY-FAP funds and enrolled in school beyond the age of 21, they may receive funds continuing support until they graduate (not to exceed 24 years of age)

Who is involved? Key Collaborators County DSS Provides funding through WRAP reserve funds Family Care Network Implements program, tracks data, provides case management ILP Refers eligible youth & help them apply College Counselor Provides 1:1 support to foster youth

TAY-FAP Results 70 youth currently enrolled 21 Confirmed graduates 1 attended graduate school TAY-FAP has served 170 youth since July attended community college and 20 attended a 4 year university

What Does TAY-FAP Provide? Housing in a dormitory or apartment Transportation School supplies, textbooks, lab fees Urgent or essential needs Savings match <$100 a month Mentorship Case management past age 21

Budgeting Form and Teaching Tool

Non-financial Support  Case management support  Regular check-in (phone, , in- person)  Notes of encouragement and acknowledgement  Linking to campus and community resources  Monthly reminders that include empowering quotes and thought provoking questions (see sample )

Non-financial Support  Tutoring & Mentoring  Support youth in obtaining tutoring through their school or one of our screened agency tutors  Discuss study habits and strategies for success  Link youth with a mentor through our agency or support them in connecting with a mentor in their area

Name Phone Number Mailing address/school address Dependency status (300, 302, NMD) Type of school (Vocational, 2 yr, 4 yr) Local/out of area Estimated graduation date Enrollment status Completion status FY participation Extended FC eligibility TAY-FAP status (active, inactive, ineligible) Transfer status Degree goal ILP eligibility TAY-FAP case management support Mentor/tutor request/assignment Start date for TAY-FAP support Savings Match participation Alumni follow up Employment status Housing status after graduation Marital status of current participants Parenting End date for participation Demographic and Outcome Data Tracking

Financial Tracking Books, materials, fees Rent/deposits, utilities Gas, bus passes, car repairs and purchases Medical needs (glasses, contacts) Education Housing Transportation Groceries Others

Lessons Learned  Partnering with the community  Collaboration and role clarification  Finding the teachable moments- looking for solutions  Empowering & coaching youth to take responsibility and the lead on their lives

Other Programs Improving Foster Youth Higher Education Success  California’s Foster Youth Success Initiative hSuccessInitiatives.aspx  Guardians Scholars Program  College Foster Youth Liaisons

References Day, A., Dworsky, A., Fogarty, K., & Damashek, A. (2011). An examination of post-secondary retention and graduation among foster care youth enrolled in a four-year university. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, doi: /j.childyouth Family Care Network (2012). Lifebook: For transitional age youth. 1/dp/ /ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid= &sr=8- 1&keywords=family+care+network+Life+book 1/dp/ /ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid= &sr=8- 1&keywords=family+care+network+Life+book Freundlich, M., Greenblatt, S., Walters, D., Tiede, L., Toth, B., Berkley, K….& Stangler, G. (2011). The adolescent brain: New research and its implications for young people transitioning from foster care. (Research Report).Retrieved from Rassen, E., Cooper, D.M., & Mery, P. (2010). Serving special populations: A study of former foster youth at California community colleges. Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, 17(2), Unrau, Y.A., Font, S.A, & Rawls, G. (2012). Readiness for college engagement among students who have aged out of foster care. Children and Youth Services Review, 34, doi: /j.childyouth

Contact Information San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services (805) “We partner with the community to enhance self- sufficiency while ensuring that safety and basic human needs are met for the people of San Luis Obispo County.” Family Care Network, Inc. (805) Kendall Rd. San Luis Obispo, CA “To enhance the wellbeing of children and families, in partnership with our community.”