1. The Bridging Success Initiative - From Foster Care to a College Degree
Felicia Ganther, J.D.
Stephanie Garman, MNpS

3. Beginning this Journey…

4. Foster care 101 Glossary of terms: Foster Care Aging Out
Group Home/ Congregant Care
Extended Foster Care

5. Arizona Children in Foster Care 2010 -2015

6. Arizona Children in Foster Care aged 13 + by Placement Type
Relative
Foster Family
Group Home
Residential Treatment
Total
Percentage in Congregant Care 13
244
161
146 52
603
33% 14
261
193
179 77
710
36% 15
224
207 94
686
44% 16
229
263
114
799
47% 17
173
289
124
747
55%
18 and older 42 73 85
111
311
63%

7. Youth who have experienced foster care:
have significantly higher rates of absenteeism and disciplinary referrals than their peers
are more likely to perform below grade level (75% perform below grade level)
are about twice as likely to be held back in school (83% are held back by third grade)
drop out of school nearly twice as frequently (50% obtain a high school diploma/GED)
attend a four-year college at a significantly lower rate (fewer than 3% do so)

8. Outcomes for youth in Foster care
Without educational success, youth aging out of foster care are ill-equipped to support themselves. The cost to these youth and society is extraordinary:
Over 25% experience homelessness
Over 25% spend time incarcerated
About 33% receive public assistance
Unemployment rates top 50%

9. Trauma in Foster care
It is impossible to be in foster care for any length of time without experiencing trauma!
The experience of trauma can create “toxic stress”

10. Outcomes of Trauma Children who are exposed to trauma can experience:
Persistent fear response
Hyperarousal
Increased internalizing symptoms
Diminished executive functioning
Weakened response to positive feedback
Challenging social interactions

11. What is Maricopa doing to help?
Creating supportive learning environments where students receive the support they need to achieve academic success
Offering targeted outreach to youth in foster care and those who serve them to highlight educational opportunities
Providing referrals and resources for non-education related needs that might interfere with degree completion

12. Challenges in our first year
Lack of documents
Confusion on FAFSA/ financial aid
Verification

13. For more info or a more in depth training:
Contact Stephanie Garman