1. Foster Care To College: Utilizing a Community of Partners to Assist At-Risk Students
Rachael Stark, Temple University Megan Woltemate, Temple University
Tuesday, March 6, Marriott Downtown Salon G

2. Who are We?
Dr. Rachael Stark: Senior Associate Dean of Students at Temple University
Megan Woltemate: CARE Team Case Manager at Temple University

3. Icebreaker Please go around and share the following Name
What institution are you from?
Does your institution currently have programming for students who have experienced foster care?

4. Temple University 8 Campuses Large, Urban, Public
39,000+ Undergraduate/Graduate Students
13,000+ Students Living On/Near Main Campus
Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral Programs

5. Dean of Students Office and CARE Team
Engage, Develop, Retain
Overall Student Success
CARE Team (Crisis, Assessment, Response, Education)
Multi-disciplinary body of stakeholders from across the University which receives referrals pertaining to students of concern, collects additional information, and then identifies and enacts appropriate strategies for addressing the situation

6. Students Who Have Experienced Foster Care
84% of year old youth in foster care want to go to college
20% of those who graduate high school go to college
2-9% earn a bachelor’s degree

7. Students Who Have Experienced Foster Care
Depth of research on challenges, practices, and programming limited
Factors that may impact disengaging
Academic Skills
College Fit
Maltreatment, Trauma, Mental Health
Independent Living
Support
Casey Foundation Scholars
Group 1: Students who remained in school
Group 2: Students who disengaged from school

8. Students Who Have Experienced Foster Care
Results
Differentiated by group:
Time Management, Study Skills and Problem Solving Skills
College Fit: Involvement and connectedness
Support: Caring adult, insufficient assistance, etc.
Correlation with higher disengagement:
Maltreatment, Trauma, Mental Health: Any mental health concerns
Independent Living: Hours worked

9. Students Who Have Experienced Foster Care
Three open ended survey questions
Challenges, Supports, Strengths

10. Students Who Have Experienced Foster Care
Campus Based Program: Western Michigan University-Survey Approach
Financial scholarships, uninterrupted housing, and campus coaches
Attention to 7 domains: education, finances, housing, health, relationships, identity, and life skills
Results: 95% satisfied or extremely satisfied-large emphasis on campus coach
30% Graduation rate

11. Temple University’s FC2C Program
Field Center Cohort
West Chester University, Cabrini University, Community College of Philadelphia
Program began Fall 2016
Process of identifying population
FAFSA: Student Financial Services professional staff member
Question #53: “At any time since you turned age 13, were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?"

12. Temple University’s FC2C Program
After answering question #53
Required to submit documentation
Student package is based off independent status
Students notified of Chafee Program
Currently working on having dedicated counselors to different populations for fall
When a student is 24 the FAFSA skips this question since students are independent by age

13. Students who have experienced foster care
Temple University’s FC2C Program
Temple’s Fall 2017 Numbers
34 students identified via FAFSA
24-Continuing Students
5- Did not submit documentation
to garner additional funding
10-New
8 Freshman
2 Transfer Students
Students who have experienced foster care
Fall 2016
Fall 2017
New 12
(6 FR, 6 TR) 10
(8 FR, 2 TR)
Continuing 29 24
Total 41 34
Non-Continuing Student Reason
Graduated 6
Deceased 1
Balance
LOA 2
Conduct
Unknown 4 19

14. Temple University’s FC2C Program
First Steps
Connect with successful student from CCP
Introduce point-person to student group via
Invite students to a peer networking lunch
Free lunch for the students during a large window of time
Provide the students with quick info sheets to determine what they would like to see from this program
Discussion around student organizations, mentoring programs etc.

15. Temple University's FC2C Program
On-going communication
Weekly/Monthly s with Opportunities (Awards, Scholarships, Coat Drives, internship opportunities etc.)
Check in with students about interest in student organization
Welcome back gathering

16. Temple University’s FC2C Program
Additional program features
Uninterrupted housing for students over the breaks
Emergency Student Aid fund
Cherry Pantry resource
Create relationships with community partners
Continue education on topic through cohort meetings at the Field Center

17. Community Partnerships
Field Center
C.B. Community School
Achieving Independence Center
College-Bound Academy

18. Community Partnerships
Field Center
Policy, Practice, and Research
Child welfare center
Current Project: FC2C campus support programs
C.B Community School
Competency Based
Skill based placement
Progress not based on age/time

19. Community Partnerships
Achieving Independence Center
Program under Valley Youth House
Communal space ages 14-21
Career planning, higher education, tutoring, employment, personal development, etc.
College Bound Academy
Harold Brooks: Center for Social Policy & Community Development
Week long program at Temple experiencing life of a college student
Group leaders are former foster care youth

20. Program Highlights

21. Program Challenges Student Involvement University Resources
Department Point Person
Housing
Identification/Early Intervention

22. Program Next Steps Different Outreach Approach
Multiple Gatherings Per-Semester
Garner interest among transfer students
Create Stronger Relationship with AIC/Other Partners (Ex. Aramark)
Create Calendar/Resource Guide for Students

23. Questions or Comments?

24. References
Salazar, A. (2012). Supporting college success in foster care alumni: Salient factors related to postsecondary retention. Child Welfare, 91(5),
Salazar, A., Jones, K., Emerson, J., & Mucha, L. (2016). Postsecondary Strengths, Challenges, and Supports Experienced by Foster Care Alumni College Graduates. Journal of College Student Development, 57(3),
Unrau, Y., Dawson, A., Hamilton, R., & Bennett, J. (2017). Perceived value of a campus-based college support program by students who aged out of foster care. Children And Youth Services Review, 78,
Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2014, January 28). Youth in Foster Care Share Their School Experiences. Retrieved from pdf

25. Thank you for joining us today!
Please remember to complete your online evaluation following the conference.
See you in Los Angeles in 2019!