Transcript Supporting the Educational Needs of Youth in Foster Care

GEORGIA’S COLLEGE ACCESS PLAN
LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING
SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION:
SUPPORTING THE EDUCATIONAL
NEEDS OF YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE
Technical
College
System
Offices
3/27/2012
OVERVIEW
1. Background & introductions
2. Snapshot of the issue in Georgia
3. Perspective of youth
4. How can CACG support youth in care?
BACKGROUND
The intersection of two groups that support education:
1. College Access Challenge Grant program (CACG)
The College Access Challenge Grant program seeks to increase postsecondary degree
attainment of P-12 students traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The
College Access Challenge Grant program emphasizes performance, partnerships, and
the overall value to higher education as part of its metrics for success.
and
2. Georgia Youth Opportunities Initiative (GYOI)
The Georgia Youth Opportunities Initiative’s mission is to connect the people, systems,
and resources necessary to assist young people impacted by the foster care system in
making successful transitions to adulthood. The Education Subcommittee of the GYOI
works to identify barriers to success as well as identify areas of support for youth in
care.
GYOI EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE
Membership:
 Victoria Salzman, GYOI
 Cynthia Moreland, nsoro Foundation
 Echo Garrett and Mike Daly, Orange Duf fel Bag Foundation
 Eric McGhee, Georgia Dept. of Education
 Mike Angstadt, Twin Cedars, MAAC Board Member
 William Teasley, Atlanta Educational Fund
 Shaquita Ogletree, MAAC
 Rielle Grant, MAAC
 Palaesha Curtis, student, GYOI
 Octavia Ferguson, student, GYOI
 David Meyers, Fanning Institute
WHAT IS THE ISSUE?
Youth in foster care face an uphill battle to graduate from high
school, gain acceptance to college, and graduate from college
due to a myriad of reasons, including:
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Multiple moves
Inconsistent school attendance
Difficulties in maintaining relationships
Emotional/Behavioral difficulties
Lack of educational role models
Many others…
Without support from trusted adults, youth in care may drop out
of college over incidental expenses, like parking tickets or
library fines
THE STATISTICAL STORY
 As of 9/30/2009, 8221 youth in foster care
 Of those, 23.3% of youth in care were between 15-17 (1915 youth)
 For academic year 2011-12, ~350 Georgia youth in foster care are
enrolled in college
 14% of youth aging out of foster care will graduate from high
school
 2% of youth aging out of foster care will graduate from
college
 On average, youth in GA's foster care move 7-10 times (or
more)
 Every move for a child in foster care represents a 6 month
loss in educational progress
 Other statistics are on the handout
RESOURCES
 Resources exist for college expenses:
 GA HB 272: grants to support “tuition, ancillary student fees,
and the cost-of-living expenses for any undergraduate program
of any Georgia public postsecondary institution”
 Youth in care may sign themselves back into foster care and be
eligible for continued benefits, such as medicaid
YOUTH PERSPECTIVE
What is the biggest barrier that you faced:
1.
While Preparing for College (still in High School)?
2.
While Seeking Acceptance to College?
3.
While in College?
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUTH IN CARE
PREPARING FOR COLLEGE
Potential Solutions:
 Training and mentoring for youth in care, such as ODBF
 Educational advocates for youth
 Organized tutoring programs and systematic insurance that
youth have access to support .
 Increased opportunities for exposure to college environments
such as pre-collegiate experiences
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUTH IN CARE
GAINING ACCEPTANCE TO COLLEGE
Potential Solutions:
 Developing a relationship with the College Boards (who
administer the SAT/ACT) to eliminate barriers to success for
youth in care
 Develop a section of GA College411 that is specifically
designed for youth in care
 Bring Apply to College and FAFSA events to ILP groups and
group homes
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUTH IN CARE
WHILE IN COLLEGE
Potential Solutions:
 Develop a USG Guardian Scholars program on a range of
campuses that could provide:
 Intersession support with food and housing
 Mentoring/advocacy on campus
 Establish an entity on campus to advocate for foster care issues
 Identify preference for youth in care to on campus
employment
 Provide additional support for books
 Identify resources for academic financial aid as well as
support for general living expenses