2013 ohio reach campus model

Paving the Road to Higher Education: The Ohio Reach Campus Model

May 13, 2013

Simone G. Polk, AVP, Student ServicesMary K. Deedrick, Director, Student Support Services

Felix E. Torres, Graduate Assistant, SAHE & Friendship Food Pantry Coordinator

Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio

Supporting Foster Youth Reaching for Higher Education

Paving the Road to Higher Education: The Ohio Reach Campus Model

• Today’s Learning Outcomes:– Share the Ohio Reach Campus Model– Share a “Pathway Model” to Higher Education– Share steps for Successful Transition to

Higher Education– Share information about the Wright State

University Independent Scholars Network & Support Services available at WSU


Essential Resources

• It’s My Life: Postsecondary Education & Training – A resource for child welfare professionals. (Casey Family Programs)

• Support SUCCESS: Improving higher education outcomes for students from foster care (A framework for program enhancement 2010. (Casey Family Programs)

• Research Brief: Building a Campus Support Network for Students Emerging from Foster Care, Education Advisory Board, June 10, 2009. (Casey Family Programs)

• Providing Effective Financial Aid Assistance to Students from Foster Care & Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: A Key to Higher Education Access & Success. (Version 2.0) (Casey Family Programs)

http://www.casey.org/resources/publications/directory/subject/Education_post.html


• On September 30, 2011, there were an estimated 400,540 children in foster care. (Child Welfare Information Gateway, Foster Care Statistics 2011; Published January 2013.) https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/foster.pdf

• Point in Time. Of the estimated 400,540 children in foster care on September 30, 2011: – 41 percent were White – 27 percent were Black– 21 percent were Hispanic (of any race) – 10 percent were other races or multiracial (Other races or

multiracial includes Alaska Native/American Indian, Asian, Hawaiian/Other, Pacific Islander, two or more races, or unknown/unable to determine. Totals may not equal 100 percent due to rounding.) https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/foster.pdf

Foster Care Data

https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/foster.pdf



• Point in Time. Of the estimated 400,540 children in foster care on September 30, 2011, 52 percent were male and 48 percent were female.


Foster Care Data




• Purpose:

– Address recruitment and retention of emancipated foster youth in Ohio’s higher education system and

– Establish foster care liaisons at Ohio’s universities and community colleges.

The Ohio Reach Campus Model


Foster Youth & College Retention

• 75% of foster youth express a desire to attend college.

• 20% enroll in postsecondary education as compared to 60% of the general population.

• 67% of foster youth who enter college drop out before graduation.

• Less than 2% of former foster youth complete a bachelor’s degree, as compared to 20% of the general population.


Barriers to College• Cost to Attend College• Navigating the Bureaucracy of Processes• Lack of Continuity of High School Education• College Preparatory Courses• Academic Readiness & Preparedness• Lack of Family Support• First Generation Students• Higher Education’s Unawareness of Needs• Students’ Unawareness of Support/Resources• Single Parents Providing Support to Relatives


FAFSA• “Independent Student”*

– Student who is an orphan, in foster care or ward of the court, at anytime when the student was 13 years of age or older; or

– Student who is an emancipated minor or is in legal guardianship as determined by the court in their state of legal residence; or

– Applicant is verified as an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or a risk of homelessness and self-supporting


*All Financial Aid Resources Available: ETV, Foster Care to Success, Need Based College Funds, Private Funds etc.

Access to College

• Do students see and hear messaging that college is a possibility?

• Do students know about your campus services and support?

• Do you invite students and their caregivers to campus for a tour and meet & greet?


Retention in College• Mentoring/Study Coaches• On-Campus Employment• Support Services & Resources• Utilization of Services & Resources to Meet

Needs• Attending Classes/Completion of Work• Engagement in the University Community• Living on Campus Year Round


Who Are Campus Liaisons?

• They are the “Hub” on the Wheel!• Generally, a FTE staff “point-person!”• Generally in Student Affairs!• Students need a “trusted staff person” who has

primary responsibility to identify them and consistently provide guidance in navigating higher education.

Appendix B: Supporting Success: Improving Higher Education Outcomes for Youth from Foster Care.


Do You Want to Be A Campus Liaison?• Are you familiar with the needs of foster youth who

transition to higher education?• Are you willing & able to advocate for support throughout

your university/college community?• Do you have knowledge of available resources available

within the university/college & ability to network effectively?• Do you have demonstrated communication skills and the

ability/capacity to interact with students from diverse backgrounds?

Research Brief: Building a Campus Support Network for Students Emerging from Foster Care, Education Advisory Board, Washington, DC, June 10, 2009


What Do Campus Liaisons Do?• Provide support, guidance and assistance to students on a

daily basis• Collaborate with Child Welfare partners to recruit foster

youth to apply to your university/college & identify college students with foster care backgrounds

• Educate campus colleagues about issues challenging foster youth on campus

• Post an Ohio Reach symbol at your office and/or add Foster Care Liaison to your business cards

Research Brief: Building a Campus Support Network for Students Emerging from Foster Care, Education Advisory Board, Washington, DC, June 10, 2009


Campus Connections


Campus Liaison

Financial Aid/Bursar &

Registrar

Admissions

Career Services

Residence Life & Housing

Disability Services

Counseling & Wellness Services

Student Academic Success Center

Academic Advising

Student Support Services

Student Health

Services

County JFS

• Differences Between High School & College:– Academic– Financial– Personal/Self-Management

Campus Connections

• Wright State University Resources:• Student Support Services• Counseling & Wellness Services• Office of Disability Services• Student Academic Success Center/Tutoring Services• Independent Scholars Network

Collaboration Opportunities!

• Collaborate with Child Welfare professionals to identify prospective and current students

• Collaborate with Child Welfare and Community Colleges to Educate Regarding Community Resources

• Create an Advisory Board or Committee of Advocates

• Include & Celebrate Students Whenever Possible!


Wright State University Independent Scholar

Wright State University’sIndependent Scholars Network

MissionThe Wright State University Independent Scholars Network exists to provide resources and services which enhance the academic and social-cultural experiences of a student who emancipates from

foster care into higher education.

VisionWright State University will be known as a national

model for transforming the lives of Independent Scholars as they prepare to participate in and engage with diverse and global communities

around the world.

ValueStudents

We value students and will carefully identify services and support to match individual needs.

AchievementWe value achievement and recognize that students are unique and will rise to

meet and exceed standards of excellence on an individual basis.

EngagementWe value engaging students at every level of their higher education academic

experience.


• Framework: • Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

– Students– Ohio Reach Campus Liaisons– Program Coordinator– Leadership Team (SSS, OCSSC, OVPSA, FA, Advising,

First Year Experience, Residence Services, Child Welfare)

– Committee– Staff Mentors/Coaches


• Independent Scholar Qualifications:– FAFSA– College Admission Tests– Admitted to the University– Review the ISN Website– Complete Online Application (Oct .1st – Jan. 1st)– Complete ISN Interview with ISN Committee– Be Selected as an Independent Scholar


• Independent Scholars Onboarding:– Email - April– Freshmen Orientation – June (Take Placement Tests – Math, English and Languages & Schedule Classes)– ISN Orientation – June– Move-In Day – August (4 days prior to general freshmen move-in)– Boot Camp Essentials:

• Academic Success (Student Academic Success Center)• Financial Aid/Financial Responsibility• Support Services: Counseling & Wellness, Office of Disability Services, Student Health Services) & Navigating

Telecommunication Services• Career Services• Success Skill Preparation (Time Management, Stress Management & Study Skills)• Appropriate Communication as a College Student• Team Building• Call to Commitment – Participation Agreement• Community Service – Move-In Day Volunteer• Attend First Weekend Activities• Start Fall Semester• Assigned to Specific First Year Learning Community• Meet w/Program Coordinator & Submit Academic Progress Reports (13 meetings per term)• Attend Scheduled Workshops/Activities• Attend Community Dinners• First Year Experience: Academic Success & Building Community


• Expected Outcomes:– Reinforce & Support Academic Success– Bridge Campus & Community Connections– Build Social Cultural Awareness– Enhance Leadership Potential– Prepare for Career/Employment– Prepare for Post Baccalaureate Study


• Ohio Reach’s Purpose:

– Addresses recruitment and retention of emancipated foster youth in Ohio’s higher education system and

– Establish foster care liaisons at Ohio’s universities and community colleges.


• Wright State University’s Independent Scholars Network:

• Actively recruits prospective students through collaborative networks

• Provides initiatives, services and resources to enhance retention/persistence

• Has 2 foster care liaisons and a host of advocacy partners who are committed to changing the experience for former foster youth in higher education at WSU

WSU Friendship Food Pantry

History• Identified Need & Connected with the DFB• Received initial financial support from WSU• Added an AmeriCorps Vista Employee• Volunteer & Donation Supported• Graduate Student Coordinator• Collaborated with Student Support Services

Food Pantry Clients

Ethnicity

Black 56%

White 28%

Gender

Women 67%

Men 33%

No Response 6%

Other 10%

Hispanic &Asian 0%

Food Pantry Clients

• Enrollment– Freshmen 34%– Sophomore 22%– Junior 17%– Senior 14%– Graduate 13%

• Employment– Unemployed 63%– Off Campus 17%– On-Campus 14%– No Response 6%

WSU Friendship Food PantryWhat does this mean for former foster youth who become

college students at Wright State?• It is more likely that a Freshman student who is unemployed will be using the

Friendship Food Pantry. Former foster youth who are now Wright State Students may also utilize the Food Pantry.

• Students who have meal plans also experience food insecurity.

• Financial aid is not enough to cover all college students expenses.

• Students sometimes have trouble budgeting their money and find themselves in need of essentials.

• Students have an opportunity to get involved, network and earn valuable volunteer experience at the pantry. New this year, Independent Scholars will be required to volunteer 2 to 4 hours per month.

Questions?