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Reaching Postsecondary Success: Pathways for Youth in Transition from Foster Care

Reaching Postsecondary Success: Pathways for Youth in Transition from Foster Care. May 14 th , 2014. @ AYPF_Tweets # aypfevents. Webinar Technical Support. GoToWebinar Technical Assistance: 1 -800-263-6317. To submit live questions, please use the “Questions” box

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Reaching Postsecondary Success: Pathways for Youth in Transition from Foster Care

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  1. Reaching Postsecondary Success: Pathways for Youth in Transition from Foster Care May 14th, 2014 @AYPF_Tweets #aypfevents

  2. Webinar Technical Support • GoToWebinar Technical Assistance: 1-800-263-6317 • To submit live questions, please use the “Questions” box • A recording of the webinar and other resources will be available at www.aypf.org

  3. Youth in Foster Care and Postsecondary Education • Each year there are nearly half a million children in the foster care system nationwide. • Every year approximately 26,000 transition out of care. • Only 20% of youth in foster care enroll in postsecondary education.* • Postsecondary completion rate for youth in foster care is only 1-11%.** *Wolanin, Tom (2005). Higher Education Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care: A Primer for Policymakers. D.C.: Institute for Higher Education Policy. **Dworsky, A. & Pérez, A.(2009). Helping former fosteryouth graduate from college: Campus support programs in California and Washington State. Chicago: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.

  4. Presenters: Michael Leach, Director of Independent Living Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Mary Jo Sekelsky, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs University of Michigan, Flint Gabriella G., Student, MPowering My Success University of Michigan, Flint @AYPF_Tweets #aypfevents

  5. Promoting Academic Success Mike Leach Tennessee Department of Children's Services 5/14/14 5

  6. DCS Office of Independent Living • The purpose of the DCS Office of Independent Living is to assist youth in making a successful transition from foster care to adulthood. • DCS offers supports and services for youth transitioning out of care, and those who are likely to remain in care, to help them become successful adults AYPF Webinar

  7. TN June 30, 2013 Snapshot • 8400- Kids in custody in Tennessee • 3,400- Youth age 14 or older in custody • 566- Young adults served in EFC in FY’13 • 250 - Number of youth actively receiving Extension of Foster Care Services • 119 - Number of EFCS young adults graduated with a high school diploma or GED in FY’13 • 281 -Approximate total number of youth graduated with a high school diploma or obtained GED 5/14/14 AYPF Webinar 7

  8. What do we know? • Not maintaining academic eligibility was the main reason for termination of EFC FY 2012-13. • Low # of young adults who receive ETV or Bright Futures Scholarships graduate. • Low expectations or not understanding the importance of how we make a difference. AYPF Webinar

  9. DCS Internal Outreach AYPF Webinar

  10. Internal Philosophical & Culture Shift • What can we do to help prepare this youth to be successful after 18? • What skills does this person need now to have to be successful after 18? • Who are the young person's caring adults? What roles do they have? • When young people actively participate in their own planning and service provision, they are equally invested in the outcomes. AYPF Webinar

  11. Youth Engagement AYPF Webinar

  12. Former Foster Youth Survey 22 case managers were surveyed. The survey was conducted by a former foster youth. • 16 said that they became case managers to help children and families in need. • None of the 22 responded that it was likely that a youth they work with would attend college. AYPF Webinar

  13. TN Young People’s Advice • Get to know us as a person • Show us that you care • Communicate with us • Be professional • Be honest and reliable • Help us be our best (Believe in Me) AYPF Webinar

  14. External Outreach AYPF Webinar

  15. Attendance Per Program FY’13 ETV        State      Total • TN B.O.R 4 Yr Univ. 463480 • Tennessee Community Colleges                 132          69         201 • TN Tech Centers                                           22          16          38 • UT System                                                     96          15 • Private 4 Yr Univ. 31                         31 • Non-State Tech Colleges                              4242 • Totals                                                              282125407 AYPF Webinar

  16. Youth Transitions Advisory CouncilRecommendations • Transition Plans should include strategies to assist youth with applying for financial aid, and connecting youth with programs that will establish networks of success • YTAC needs active participation by representatives of the higher education system in Tennessee to facilitate better understanding and implementation of strategies to address [related] issues experienced by these young adults; these include: • State colleges and universities should keep dorms open for former foster youth during holidays, summers, breaks as applicable • Strategies to address transportation issues AYPF Webinar

  17. Enhancing Partnerships • Collaborating with TN Board of Regents -46 separate institutions--six universities, 13 community colleges, and 27 technology centers • The Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA) engages Tennessee’s private colleges and universities to work collaboratively in areas of public policy.TICUA's 34 member colleges and universities AYPF Webinar

  18. Building Focused Programs • MTSU “Next Step” Program • Hiwassee Hope College Partnership • Partnering with Bethel and Carson Newman (part of TICUA) to develop specialized programs • The Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) provide technical training to students to meet the occupational needs of employers in our community. AYPF Webinar

  19. Specific Tasks • Working with colleges to alleviate debt resulting from gaps in funded scholarships • Colleges agreeing to keep dorms open over holidays • Moving our young people up waiting lists • Regional staff building relationships with staff at the post-secondary institutions • College Access Project Video (Foster Youth) AYPF Webinar

  20. Youth Villages TL • Expanded the Transitional Living program to serve more youth and young adults • Weekly Case Management and support for youth in secondary and post secondary programs • YV Scholars Program AYPF Webinar

  21. Contacts Michael Leach • Phone: 615-253-3503 • E-Mail: Michael.H.Leach@tn.gov AYPF Webinar

  22. Question and Answer

  23. Mpowering My SuccessA program designed for students ages 18 to 21 who are in foster care, were formerly in foster care, or are transitioning out of foster care.

  24. Preparation in the MakingIn a 2010 study examining youth formerly in foster care, Courtney, Dworsky, Lee, & Raap found that by age 23 or 24:- Nearly 25% of youth formerly in care had experienced homelessness.- Over 40% of males formerly in foster reported contact with the criminal justice system.- Only 3% of foster care alumni complete a bachelor’s degree by the age of 26 compared to 24% of the general population.- Young women in foster care and those who have “aged out” are more likely to experience teenage pregnancy than their peers in the general population.

  25. Campus Efforts Involving Foster Care 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 Participated in “Foster Care – Higher Education Summit” co-sponsored by the Department of Human Services and Michigan Campus Compact. Educators gathered in Albion, Michigan to begin a dialogue of post-secondary educational planning for foster care youth aging out of the system. Office of Financial Aid, in conjunction with EduGuide, selected to host a College Goal Sunday focused on serving foster youth in the Greater Flint area. UM-Flint administrators meet with Dr. Karen Williams of Mott Children’s Health Center to explore pathways for identifying college-age foster care youth. Members of the Foster Care Summit Planning Committee continue efforts to identify and engage stakeholders. Office of Admissions adds question to the undergraduate admission application: “Were you in foster care on or after your 13th birthday?” Exploration is expanded to include Stacie Bowens and Kim Stribling from the Genesee County Department of Human Services. The Office of Financial Aid appoints a representative to serve on the State of Michigan’s Youth in Transition Committee. UM-Flint is one of seven schools funded by the Department of Human Services; thus enabling the launch of Mpowering My Success. YWCA of Greater Flint launches a residential program for young women transitioning out of foster care: Nina’s Place. UM-Flint, Genesee County DHS, and the YWCA host a Foster Care Summit: Maximizing Educational Opportunities. Approximately 100 foster-care youth, caregivers, and community partners attend. Liz Murray, author of Breaking Night, was special guest and keynote speaker.

  26. Mpowering My Success Our vision . . . Working together, we will increase access to post-secondary education for Genesee County youth in the foster care system. A partnership between . . . • Michigan Department of Human Services • Ennis Center for Children • University of Michigan-Flint

  27. Data-Driven Decision Making • Invest in Your Success (IYS) : A UM-Flint mentoring program designed to establish a web of support, address challenges faced by first-year college students, and develop students’ “connections” to the campus. A 2010 study showed IYS participants were retained at a slightly higher level than nonparticipants. (Sekelsky, M.J., Gandhi, J. & Bell J., 2010) • College Student Inventory (CSI):An early alert tool that identifies students with dropout-prone tendencies, and measures their receptivity to support services. A March 2012 study found the CSI to be an accurate predictor of a student’s likelihood to re-enroll in their second year of college. This same study found UM-Flint students successful in their first semester, who had at least four visits with an advisor, had an 80.77% likelihood of returning for a second year.(Sekelsky, M.J., Young, J., Skarsten, F. & Brumar T., 2012)

  28. Essential Program Components • Master’s-level prepared Independent Living Skills Coach • Mentors serving as guides and educational partners • Access to 24/7 on-call support and emergency financial resources • Course selection carried out by the Director of Academic Advising • Career assessment and planning guided by professional staff • Access to safe housing, year-round – including semester breaks • On-campus employment, if desired • Health care professionals available to support overall well-being • Workshops on safety, social justice, healthy behaviors, leadership, and campus resources • Access to all educational, social, and recreational activities available to UM-Flint students • Access to child care on or near campus

  29. Initial Client AssessmentAnsell-Casey Life Skills AssessmentDesigned for youth between the ages of 14 and 21, the CLS assesses behaviors and competencies needed to achieve long-term goals, and helps facilitate collaborative conversation between student and Life Skills Coach. Maintaining healthy relationships Planning and goal-settingDaily living activities Computer literacy Work and study habits Using community resourcesBudget and paying bills Permanent connections to caring adults College Student Inventory An early alert tool that identifies students with dropout-prone tendencies, and measures their receptivity to support services.Connect with students early in their first semesterEngage students in conversation about developing talents and overcoming challengesMatch at-risk students to services most needed

  30. Unique ProgramComponents • Partnership with Ennis Center for Children • Embedded in Office of Financial Aid • Paired with established & successful campus programs: • Careers 4 Years • Intercultural Leadership Seminar • Invest in Your Success (IYS) • Built in support systems • Champions

  31. Community Champions Over 40 agencies, school districts, service organizations, and businesses from the Greater Genesee County area! • Nina’s Place at YWCA of Greater Flint: A bridge to independence for young women, ages 18 to 20, who have aged out of foster care and are without family support. • Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative: A partnership between the Michigan Department of Human Services, Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, and Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency. Ensuring foster care youth have successful outcomes in housing, education, employment, community engagement, and health. • Weiss Advocacy Center : A voice for the voiceless, the Center’s mission is to prevent child abuse and help survivors become children again. • Whaley Children’s Center: A private, nonprofit residential program serving children who have suffered chronic and profound abuse and neglect

  32. Designated Leadership Cindy Nelson-Pouget, LMSW, Life Skills Coach • 30 years of professional experience working with youth • Over 15 years of experience in foster care, adoption, and prevention services • Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapist “IF YOU CAN IMAGINE IT YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT IF YOU CAN DREAM IT YOU CAN BECOME IT” -William Arthur Ward

  33. Sustainability Planning • Michigan Department of Human Services • Fundraising “Blueprint” under development • “Victors For Michigan” Campaign • Campus & Community Champions

  34. Lessons Learned . . . The Three R’s • Have the Right Attitude! • It becomes easier with the Right Peoplein place! • It’s all about Relationships!

  35. University of Michigan-Flint 303 E. Kearsley Street, Rm. 277 UPAV Flint, MI 48502-1950 (810) 762-3219  www.umflint.edu/finaid/mpoweringmysuccess Mpowering My Success

  36. Gabriella G., Student, MPowering My Success University of Michigan, Flint

  37. Question and Answer

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