Fostering Success @
Northern Arizona
University
Fostering Success @ NAU
What is foster care?
Foster care is the term used for a system in which a
minor who has been made a ward is placed in an
institution, group home, or private home of a state
certified caregiver referred to as a "foster parent".
The placement of the child is usually arranged
through the government or a social-service agency.
The institution, group home or foster parent is
provided compensation for expenses.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_youth
Fostering Success @ NAU
Children/youth are placed in foster care
because of:
- Abuse
- Neglect
- Death of Parent
- Support for foster
children/youth often ends at age 18
or 21
Fostering Success @ NAU
National Statistics
- 3 million reports of child abuse/neglect are made every year in
the United States
- 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile
- 50% of foster children/youth are high school dropouts
- 40% of foster children/youth are ages 13-21
- 30% more likely to commit a violent crime
- 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult
- 7-13% enroll in higher education
- 1-2% earn a college degree
- Nationally a foster child/youth will change placements about
once every 6 months
http://azhope.com/about/foster-care-statistics.php.
Fostering Success @ NAU
Arizona Statistics
- 6,891 children in foster care placements (Maricopa
County)
- 10,000 children in foster care statewide
- 35,000 reports of child abuse/neglect
- A young child is more likely to die of child abuse/neglect
in the Phoenix Metro area than any other area in the nation
- 1,300 children a year wait more than 3 weeks in
emergency shelters
http://azhope.com/about/foster-care-statistics.php
Fostering Success @ NAU
Educational Barriers
- Poor time management, study, and problem-
solving skills
Low college satisfaction and connectedness
Increased number of hours worked per week
Insufficient support with academic skill
development
Insufficient support with deciding a major, and
career counseling
College application fees, tuition, and housing deposits
Fostering Success @ NAU
Educational Barriers
-
History of mental health diagnoses
History of severe maltreatment
Screening positively for PTSD
Lack of basic information about college
Lack of coordination between child
welfare agencies and public schools
Fostering Success @ NAU
Support Mechanisms in Place
The Student Support Services Program provides grants for projects designed to:
- Increase the college retention and graduation rates of eligible
students;
- Increase the transfer rate of eligible students from two-year to fouryear institutions; and
- Foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of students who
are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally
underrepresented in postsecondary education, individuals with
disabilities, homeless children and youth, foster care youth, or other
disconnected students; and
- Improve the financial and economic literacy of students in areas such as;
basic personal income, household money management, and financial
planning skills; and economic decision-making skills.
Fostering Success @ NAU
Support Mechanisms in Place
-
TRiO Student Support Services
serves students that are:
- First Generation
- Income Eligible
- Disability
Fostering Success @ NAU
Support Mechanisms in Place
-
SSS Services
Academic support
Master schedule tutoring
Course selection/career planning
Financial aid/financial literacy
Graduate School
Fostering Success @ NAU
Support Mechanisms in Place
- SSS Services
Participation Grant
Counseling
Exposure to cultural/educational events
Laptop loan
Leadership conferences
Community service opportunities
Academic honor society
Celebrations/Honors
Fostering Success @ NAU
Support Mechanisms in Place
Fostering Success @ NAU is a unique
opportunity for students who are aging out of
foster care to benefit from personalized coaching,
a community of scholars, and direct financial
support.
Dream
Hope
Achieve
Fostering Success @ NAU
Fostering Success @ NAU Goals
- Increase NAU graduates who
have aged out of foster care
- Build a community of scholars
among former foster youth
- Provide transitional pathway to
adulthood
Fostering Success @ NAU
Program Eligibility
- NAU student enrolled on the Flagstaff
campus
- Former foster youth
- Live on campus and have meal plan
- Meet with transition coach and complete a
Plan for Academic Success
- Attend monthly Fostering Success
receptions/meetings
Fostering Success @ NAU
Program Benefits
-
Personal transition coach
Community of Scholars
Jacks Debit Express funds
Eligibility for participation grant
Assistance in securing housing
winter breaks
Fostering Success @ NAU
Financial & Social Resources
- Educational Training Voucher
- Federally funded, state
administrated
- Receive up to $5,000 per year
- First come first serve
- Confirm enrollment, COA and
unmet need
https://www.statevoucher.org/
Fostering Success @ NAU
Financial & Social Resources
- Independent Living Stipend
- Monthly stipend to help pay for
living expenses
- Live on your own while
receiving support and services
- Available until the age of 21
https://www.azdes.gov/main.aspx?menu=150&id=1934
Fostering Success @ NAU
Financial & Social Resources
- Foster Club
- Primary communication tool for
young people
- Connect in a safe, monitored
environment
- Information relating to foster care
http://www.fosterclub.com/
Fostering Success @ NAU
Financial & Social Resources
- Foster Care Alumni of America
- National Non-Profit
- Founded and led by alumni of
foster care system
- Connect alumni community
- Transform foster care policy
and practice
http://www.fostercarealumni.org/home.htm
Fostering Success @ NAU
Financial & Social Resources
- Foster Care 2 Success
- Oldest & largest non-profit
- Largest provider of college
funding in the nation
- Provides advice, support
helping foster youth transition
to adulthood
http://www.fc2success.org/
Fostering Success @ NAU
What can you do to make a difference?
- Serve as a mentor/role model
- Connect students to campus
resources
- Don’t make assumptions
- Educate others on campus about the
foster youth population
- Family weekend
- Take time out
Fostering Success @ NAU
Model Programs Community Colleges
- California Community College Chancellor’s Office
(Foster Youth Success Initiative, 2006)
- Austin Community College (Foster Care
Alumni Program, 2006)
- City College of San Francisco (Guardian
Scholars Program, 2004)
- Housatonic Community College (Supporting Success,
2005)
Fostering Success @ NAU
Model Programs 4 Year Colleges
- California State University, Fullerton (Guardian Scholars,
1998)
- California Polytechnic University, Pomona (Renaissance
Scholars, 2002)
- Sam Houston State University (Forward Program, 2009)
- San Jose State University (The CME Society, 2005)
- Western Michigan University (Foster Youth in Higher
Education Initiative, 2008)
Fostering Success @ NAU
Questions ?