An Invisible Population : College Students Coming From the Foster Care System

An Invisible Population: College Students Coming From the

Foster Care System

Christina BluckNorthern Arizona UniversityChristina.bluck@nau.edu

Overview of PresentationWhy this topicQuizOverview of the Foster Care SystemGetting Ready for CollegeStarting CollegeChallenges Once at CollegeThe Importance of MentorsModel ProgramsWhat Academic Advisors Can Do

Why this topic?

Background Information

How much do you know???

Quiz Time!

Quiz Answers

1. What is the approximate number of youth who emancipate from the foster care system each year?Answer choice C: 24,000

Quiz Answers

2. Percentage of children in foster care who complete high school.Answer Choice A: 50%

Quiz Answers

3. Percentage of former foster youth who enroll in collegeAnswer Choice A: 10%

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4. Approximate number of children and youth in foster care on any given day.Answer Choice D: 513,000Of these, 95,000 were between the ages of 16-18

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5. Percentage of former foster youth who graduate from a 4 year college.Answer choice A: 2-4%

General Overview of the Foster Care System

Children are placed in foster care because of– Physical Abuse– Emotional Abuse– Sexual Abuse– Neglect – Death of Parent

General Overview of the Foster Care System (Continued)

Support for former foster youth often ends on their 18th birthday.

Negative perceptions of youth in foster care

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Common Backgrounds of Foster Care Children/Youth

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Preparation For College

Very Limited

Financial aid is available for this population, but not easy to find or access.

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Emancipation

The process which a foster youth goes through to no longer be a ward of the state.

Age depends on state and preference of the youth.– Usually between 18-21

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Starting College

Residence Hall = A New Home

Most foster kids never thought they’d make it to college.

Starting College (Continued)

No Home to Go Back to

Fear and uncertainty

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College StrugglesLike Risa, many former foster children struggle their first semester of college

Often not identified by student affairs professionals

Lack of mentoring on campus

Many lack basic knowledge about college

Many do not have a strong academic background

Financial struggles are common

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Mental Health Concerns

Long term effects of abuse and neglect– Trust Issues

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Adult Role Models and Mentors

Very important for college success

Some have never had a positive role model or person who they can connect with prior to college

The Difference a Mentor Can Make

Academic Advisors Can Serve as Mentors to Former Foster

Youth

Model ProgramsCalifornia State University Fullerton Guardian Scholars Program– Pays all tuition and fees– Special orientation program– Year round on-campus Housing– Guaranteed on-campus employment– Individual Counseling– Required bi-monthly meetings with program director– Peer mentoring– Faculty mentoring– Post graduation career planning and assistance

Model Programs (Continued)There are other specialized programs across the nation as well– San Francisco State University– Austin Community College– Cal State East Bay– Sam Houston State University– University of California, Davis,– Western Michigan University– Sacramento State University

More programs and services are needed for these students

What We Can Do To Support These Students

Don’t make assumptions– Many students from foster care will not self identify

Know that “at risk” services often don’t meet all the needs of these students

Be there for these students; serve as a mentor and role model

Connect students to campus resources

Educate others on campus that students from foster care are on our campuses

What we can do to Support these Students

Parents weekend– Not assuming that all students have parents

Some “common sense” questions for most people are very pressing for this population of students.

Hopeful Comments About this Population of students

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More and more states are providing educational assistance (Sheehy, et al., 2000).– 33 states help youth pursue post-secondary education– 21 states provide tuition aid or scholarships– 20 states help students pay for other educational expenses (books,

room & board, etc.)

References

See handout

Questions???