Education Reach for Texans 2018 Convening Brenda Sweeten & Keri Rogers

1. Collaborating with the Community Village: Engaging Resources to Recruit and Support Foster Care Alumni Education Reach for Texans 2018 Convening Brenda Sweeten & Keri Rogers

2. Objectives: • Higher education professionals will learn the value and necessity of networking with child welfare, nonprofit agencies, and public school foster care liaisons in their communities. • Higher education professionals will learn the importance of becoming familiar with community resources available to assist their foster alumni programs. • Higher education professionals will learn how to engage and build community contacts useful to working with foster care alumni.

3. 70% of foster youth would LIKE to go to college, but only 7-13% enroll and only 2-3% obtain a bachelor’s degree. Casey Family Programs (2003)

4. Of 415,000 foster youth in the system, only 46% will earn a high school diploma or GED, and less than 3% of those will earn a college degree. Education Commission of the States Report (2013)

5. It takes the campus and community village! • No single person or office can provide everything students need • Coordination of resources can be complicated and requires careful thought and follow through • Organizing support and balancing other job tasks • Using offers of support and staying in contact with them • The good news is, we don’t have to do this alone!

6. Campus Resources • Foster Care Liaison • Financial Aid • Admissions • Housing • Advising • Mentoring • Tutoring • Career Services • Counseling Services • Financial Literacy • Disability Services • Multicultural Services • TRIO • Health and Wellness

7. Community Resources • PAL Staff & Aftercare Case Management Service Providers • Transition Centers • Housing, Employment Assistance, Enrolling in College, Mentoring • CASAs • School Districts’ Foster Care Liaisons & High School Counselors • CPS • Housing Authority & Independent Living providers • Judges • Community Health Services • Childcare • Public Transportation • YOUR Community Network

8. PAL Staff & Aftercare Case Management Service Providers • Preparation for Adult Living • Independent Living Skills Assessment (Casey Life Skills Assessment) • Independent Living Skills Training • Heath and Safety • Housing and Transportation • Job Readiness • Financial Management • Life Decisions/Responsibility • Personal/Social Relationships • Support Services • GED classes, Driver Education, High School Graduation Expenses, College Prep • Aftercare Case Management • Youth paired with a Coach to provide intensive life coaching • Creation of individualized transition/goal plan for current & former foster youth • Aftercare Room & Board Allowance (up to $3,000 max,$500/month)

9. Transition Centers • PAL Life Skills Training • Aftercare Case Management • Housing • Employment Assistance/Workforce Services • Crisis Intervention • College Prep & Admissions • Mentoring • Connection to DFPS Benefits

10. Local CASAs • Assist in navigating transition to independent living and college preparation • May provide on-going mentorship and support • Can help ensure youth have proper documents (i.e. birth certificate, SS card, etc.) • May help youth with college tours, applications, etc. • Have spent a considerable amount of time with the youth getting to know their wants and desires for the future

11. Local School Districts’Foster Care Liaisons & Counselors • At least one foster care liaison is appointed in each school district in Texas (name provided to TEA) • Facilitates the enrollment in or transfer to a public or open-enrollment charter school for any child in DFPS conservatorship • Can identify youth on their campuses who are in foster care • May make special efforts to support a youth’s efforts toward college or vocational training enrollment • Can help ensure expedition receipt of school records, transcripts • Voluntary Foster Care Champions exist in each Education Service Center to support districts, answer questions and encourage local training efforts

12. Local CPS Offices • Get to know your local CPS workers and their supervisors! • PAL workers can… • Help with Waiver Letters • Provide ongoing support to youth and access to resources • May change so youth may not know who their worker is, or they have not contacted their worker in a long time so forgot who to contact… • Local PMC workers can support youth transitioning to independence • Can help provide necessary paperwork • Accompany on college tours • Usually have a relationship and know the youth well • Attend Circles of Support (COS) and know who the youth has in their life who may help support them in the transition and after

13. Housing Authority & Independent Living Providers • Local agencies may have contracts or provide housing solutions to youth transitioning from care • Local non-profits may provide housing or financial resources that can assist with housing • Supervised Independent Living Programs

14. Community Health Services • Youth may qualify for Medicaid coverage until age 26 • Planned Parenthood • Local Health Departments • Community Health Clinics • College/University Health Clinics & Counseling Centers • Students may not have money for copay • May lack self-advocacy skills or knowledge of community resources • Helpful if transportation is an issue

15. Childcare • Institution may have a Childcare Assistance Fund • On-campus childcare or afterschool care opportunities • Subsidized childcare list for local childcare centers • Childcare Cooperatives

16. Transportation • Public transportation is often free or at a reduced rate for students • University/College Shuttles • Many are resourceful in getting rides when needed • Students may own a car • Educate on cost of car ownership and responsibilities that go with it… • Insurance • Inspections • Oil changes/maintenance • Local churches or non-profits might be able to help with minor upkeep, repairs • Expenses associated with car ownership can derail a student so support them in a decision to purchase a car!

17. Who Can You Call On In Your Community? • Local Non-profits • Faith Communities (are awesome)! • Personal Contacts • Local Service Organizations • Rotary Clubs • Lions Clubs • Kiwanis Clubs

18. Have An Idea of What You Need in Advance • Back to School Supplies • Backpacks • Monthly Care Packages (snacks, hygiene products, small gift cards) • Gift Cards for Emergencies • Dorm Room Supplies

19. Brenda Sweeten, MSSW, LCSWUniversity of North Texasbrenda.sweeten@unt.eduKeri Rogers, Ph.D.Higher Education Consultantredkrogers@icloud.com It takes the Campus and Community Villages!