1. College – a view from the foster parent/child
Dr. Fran Chastain, Dean for Student Affairs
Donavan Chastain, College Student

2. Speaker Background Fran Chastain
Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering from Southern Polytechnic State University
Master of Business Administration from Brenau University
Doctor of Education, Workforce Development & Educational Leadership from University of Georgia
12 years – industry
14 years – technical college
13+ years – foster parent, 11 adopted children via foster care

4. Speaker background Donavan chastain
In and out of foster care for years prior to 2002
2002 placed with Chastain’s
2006 adopted at age 13 by Chastain’s
2013 graduated high school entered college
2014 changed majors
2015 – have a plan!

5. 7,824 400,540 Foster Children Georgia – 2014 United States – 1/2/2014
United States – 1/2/2014
400,540
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

6. Should be the same! Want to be the same! Are not the same! Why?
Foster Care Youth
Should be the same! Want to be the same! Are not the same! Why?

7. Why is there a difference?
Background – homeless, foster care (family)
Addictions (parents)
Abuse (mental, physical, sexual)
Neglect
Abandonment
Death of parent or guardian
How long in the system? Or homeless?
Necessity – surviving comes before education (what will tomorrow bring?)
Trust – Who? Why? When? How long?
Lack of knowledge

8. What is different?
Snow globe – their own little world (emotionally safer)
Attachments/Support Systems – do they have any?
Survival instinct – where will I be?
Worldly knowledge – has anyone ever connected enough to actually make the knowledge shared “real”
Deer in the headlights
Listening but not hearing
Social comes first – but yet difficult
Truth – Are you getting it?
Three steps – one at a time

9. Is this picture for real?
College students
Student Advising
Making Friends
Stereotypes
Responsibility
Is this picture for real?

10. 7 Habits of defective college students by sean covey
Habit 1: Be Reactive – blame all your problems on others
Habit 2: Begin with Squat in Mind – don’t plan, avoid setting goals
Habit 3: Put First Things Last – take only courses that start after noon
Habit 4: Think Win-Lose – view school as a vicious competition
Habit 5: Seek First to Talk, Then Pretend to Listen – talk a lot because only your ideas count
Habit 6: Don’t Cooperate – assume that people are weird; teamwork is overrated
Habit 7: Burn Yourself Out – forget keeping your life in balance

11. Student GOALS Build self-confidence Develop a career path (choices)
Have a detailed PLAN OF ACTION
Enroll in an appropriate college (find the right fit)
Learn to ask questions (comfort)
Learn to ask for help
Understand the consequences of not following through - Responsibility

12. 7 habits of highly effective college students By sean covey
Habit 1: Be Proactive – “I am responsible for my education and life.”
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind – “I have a plan for what I want to accomplish.”
Habit 3: Put First Things First – “I set realistic priorities.”
Habit 4: Think Win-Win – “I am considerate of others but I also have the courage to stand up for myself.”
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood – “I hear people out before expressing my own opinion.”
Habit 6: Synergize – “I value the strengths of other people and combine them with my own to solve problems.”
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw – “I regularly recharge my body, heart, mind, and spirit so I can stay sharp and improve myself.”

13. How do we overcome? Layers of an onion – peel them back
Dig deep to understand each one – find the truth – IT IS HARD!
Never give up on them
Instill courage and self-esteem
Empowerment
One step at a time – multistep processes will be lost
Time – make it real – building the trust takes enormous amounts of time

14. College GOALS
Open to helping students (guide or better yet – hold their hand)
Being known to have people who know (know what? the secret)
Know the challenges
Find solutions for the challenges
Realize the differences of these students
Find ways to identify these students
Creating specific Retention Plans for students identified in this category
Promote services available to ILP, foster/adoptive parents, group homes

15. Needs to see better results
Mentors – with specific goals and activities to get to the finish line
Academic Coaches - to keep these students from falling off the grid
Funds – to allow colleges to employ Academic Coaches
Workshops – for students and mentors to walk through the steps
Intrusive Advising – get in their business so they know and understand the facts – do not squash their dreams but drill in the requirements to meet set goals
Guided Pathways – students should know exactly what to take and when – no guessing games and very few if any choices
Early Intervention – middle school is not too early! Do NOT lose them in the maze!

16. Technical/community colleges
A GREAT place to start a path toward a bachelor’s degree, complete an associate degree or complete a diploma in a skilled program area to enter the workforce quickly.
Smaller class sizes = individualized attention
Learning support courses
Success Centers
Students are not numbers
Job placements rates are HIGH
An environment where small successes will lead to rewarding careers!

17. References
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective College Students by Sean Covey
Complete College America,
Achieving the Dream,
Adopt Us Kids,
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

18. Contact Information
Fran Chastain, EdD North Georgia Technical College Donavan Chastain College Student