Supporting Student Success: The 4-1-1 on Foster Care Youth

1. Supporting Student Success: The 4-1-1 on Foster Care Youth

2. Why Foster Care? “I want to be a graphic designer” “I want to a chef” “I want to work with kids” “I want to go to College” Aspiration Vs. Attainment

3. Increase the college going and completion rate among students aging out of the foster care system. Grant Funded by Arizona Commission of Post Secondary Education Began June 2013 MCCD Foster Youth Student Success Initiative

4. Children in the System Children are removed from the home • Where the child is placed depends on numerous factors and is influenced by • numerous circumstances. Some may end up: • Foster homes • Group homes • Kinship placements • Adoption/legal guardianship • Secure care facility • Other state sanctioned placements Once at this stage, children often move throughout and within each different type of placement Children in foster care experience an average of 5 placement changes • At age 18, youth are given the option to sign a voluntary • agreement to remain in the “system” until age 21 and • be part of an independent living program

5. Demographics of Arizona Foster Care Youth Arizona in Foster Care Placement Type and Age

6. Demographics of Maricopa Foster Care Youth Foster Care Youth Number of Youth in Transitional Independent Living Program Maricopa (1,014 – 65% of total) Pima (294 – 19% of total) Pinal (93 – 6% of total) There are a total of 350 students participating in the TILP/YAP program Potential of 664 college age students who may or may not be enrolled in PSE. 723 youth have aged out of foster care, roughly 2000 (18-21) eligible to return 1-3% have attained a college degree compared to about 27% of the general adult population Of those students who were identified as FY and attend college, 45% attend a MCCD or skill center (roughly 108)

7. “Every foster youth is different, but a majority of foster care youth and alumni are attempting to become independent by themselves, with no adult guidance and support.” “Foster youth are making the largest adjustment into independence, while simultaneously losing several of their supports that could make a difference with navigating the system and succeeding in college” • Need for supportive adults to assist and provide guidance • Foster youth lack typical growing up experiences that may expose them to the concept of college • Endure challenges with transitioning from congregate care settings to independent living • Lack understanding of the college going process • Lack of knowledge regarding the foster care culture prevents colleges from effectively serving FY. Direct Service Providers Focus Group Data

8. MCCD Student Focus Group Data Success Indicators Challenges “Educating faculty and staff on some of the circumstances foster youth experience is important” “What makes FY unique is the sum of the parts, not the pieces of the whole” Comprehensive programs and services with easy access (ACE, on-line tutoring, help center, Outreach Centers) Meaningful adult connections fostering a sense of belonging Consistence access to services and resources My.Maricopa.Edu complex and not easy to navigate Enrollment processes, such as FAFSA, challenging due to need to present documentation Desire to have individualized support (multiple locations) Transportation- key concern especially due to frequent mobility Access to computers and internet

9. MCCD Foster Youth Success Initiative • Created Foster Youth Advisory Board • Reviewed national, state and local data on Foster Care Youth • Hosted focus groups to gather qualitative data from case managers and foster care youth • Develop MCCD web resource for foster youth • Hosted session at MCCD Student Success Conference GOAL I Explore and understand the unique challenges youth in out of home care encounter and bridge the information gap that exists between MCCD and agencies working directly with Foster Care Youth

10. MCCD Foster Youth Success Initiative • GOAL II • Align MCCD programs and Services to meet the needs of foster care youth by establishing the following: • Best practices for college access and completion • Champions (position, department) responsible for ensuring college readiness when working with foster care youth • Centralized, web-based resource platform integrating MCCD programs and services with leading industry resources and support • IN PROGRESS • Mapping out existing enrollment process to expose challenges/success • Mapping out YAP/TILP process for opportunities to better orientate FCY • Identify key stakeholders and/or departments (Champions) at each MCCD College • Host summer conference for FCY case managers, agency providers and MCCD stakeholders (July 10, 2014 at SMCC)

11. Next Steps • Identify “coaches/liaisons” at each MCCCD to provide support, resources and referrals for foster care youth • Begin planning our “Navigating Higher Education” summer conference • Develop curriculum for planning and preparing for College (TILP/YAP, Group Homes) • Finalize the web-based platform with resources for students formerly in the foster care system • Develop district-wide best practices for access and completion