1. The Road to the Finish Line: Support for youth in Post Secondary Settings

2. Mission Statement
We are committed to supporting ambitious college-bound students exiting the foster care system by providing a comprehensive program that contributes to the quality and depth of the students university experience.

3. Program Primary Components
Financial support including year round guaranteed housing.
2) Academic support in various forms throughout the semester.
3) Consistent social and emotional support utilizing a non-judgmental approach.

4. Financial Support
All students must complete the annual FAFSA application in order to be eligible for the Guardian Scholars Program.
Guardian Scholars receive the maximum amount of financial aid available. The Guardian Scholarship subsidizes the remaining unmet need for each student as determined through the Office of Financial Aid.
Guardian Scholars are guaranteed year round housing on campus which includes summer stipend.

5. Academic Support
Weekly meeting with in-coming students – To engage in discussions how students view their learning process, what expectations they have of college life and how they plan to meet the challenges they are faced with throughout the semester as they acculturate to campus life.
Mid-semester grade report review – To assess student’s knowledge base of course material and performance ability to pass classes each semester.
End of semester grade review – To assess students learning ability of material covered during course instruction. It is also a tool to determine those students who are in good standing and to identify those that are in jeopardy of academic probation.
Priority Registration – To provide students the opportunity to register for courses with the graduating seniors of the university.

6. Social / Emotional Support
Drop-In Center
On Campus Life Skills Workshops
Social Activities (movies, school plays & sports)
Orangewood Children’s Foundation
Community Support Activities
Individualized Counseling
Career Mapping Program

7. Career Leadership Track
REQUIREMENTS
Section A: Program Core Workshops
Introduction to Leadership (1.5 hours) Ethical Decision Making (1.5 hours) Leading and Managing a Diverse Group (1.5 hours)
Section B: Track Core Workshops
Business Survival Basics (1.5 hours) How To Write the Perfect Resume (1.5 hours) Interview for a Real Job (1.5 hours) Job Search and Networking Strategies (1 hours) Learn the #1 Secret to Job Search Success (1.5 hours) Marketing Your Leadership and Transferable Skills (1.5 hours)
Section C: Elective Workshops
Any two workshops from the pool of Elective Workshops.
Section D: Experiential Component
Participants are required to complete a minimum of 5 hours of applied leadership. This can be pretty much any activity that participants are involved outside the classroom or workshop setting. Five hours are required for each track the participant is involved in.

8. Retention Analysis and Persistence Rate Report Results Annual Cohort
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9. California College Pathways Website
Central location to find all community college and university’s who offer specialized support and services to emancipated foster youth throughout the State.

10. California Chafee Grant Program
Educational and Training Voucher (ETV)
College
Career
Technical Training
Commission’s Chafee Grant Website
California Student Aid Commission
Specialized Programs Operations Branch
Attn: California Chafee Grant Program
P.O. Box
Rancho Cordova, CA

11. California Department of Social Services
Independent Living Program (ILP)
Who is eligible?
What are the services?
In California, each county has the flexibility to design services to meet a wide range of individual needs and circumstances for present and former foster youth, and to coordinate services with other Federal and State agencies engaged in similar activities.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Independent Living Program Policy Unit Child & Youth Permanency Branch 744 P Street, MS Sacramento, CA 95814

12. California Providing Services to Foster Youth

13. What is Necessary to Establish a Guardian Scholars Program
A. Core Elements
Designated leadership
Internal and external champions
Collaborations with community agencies
Data-driven decision making
Staff peer support and professional development (SCHEFYC)
Sustainability planning
Emerson, J. Casey Family Programs, (2010). A framework for program enhancement.

14. Key Elements Necessary to Establish a Comprehensive Guardian Scholars Program
B. Direct Student Support Elements
Year-round housing and other basic needs
Financial Aid
Academic advising, career counseling and supplemental support
*C. Direct Student Support Elements
Personal guidance, counseling and supplemental support
Opportunities for student community engagement and leadership
Planned transitions
Emerson, J. Casey Family Programs, (2010). A framework for program enhancement.

15. Initial Steps Recommended to Start a Program
Provide awareness and obtain approval and support from the office of the President.
2. Designate leadership and responsibility for guardian scholars program development.
3. Develop relationships within the campus identifying liaisons as well as in the community.
4. Identify youth attending your institution.
5. Identify champions.
6. Data Driven Decision Making
7. Academic progress monitoring and sustainability planning is critical to student long term success.
8. Staff peer support is also very important
Emerson, J. Casey Family Programs, (2010). A framework for program enhancement.

16. CSUF Guardian Scholars Program Important Community Partnerships
California Youth Connection
County Department of Children & Family Services
County Department of Education
County Juvenile Courts – Girls / Boys Court
County Transition Housing Programs
Lestannac Community Clinic
Little Professor Book Store
Orangewood Children’s Foundation
St. Jude’s Medical Center
United Friends of the Children
Young Dentistry Services