CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF?

Foster Care to Success: Transitioning Past High School Region 10: CARE 2014Gayle Jordan, M.Ed., CSC

A CLOSER LOOK: THE HEART OF THE MATTER

In Texas, foster youth may leave the social services system (also known as “aging out”) when they turn 18 or graduate from high school. But few young people are capable of starting adulthood on their own at the age of 18; imagine starting out as a foster youth with no family, no guardian, no solid foundation or community to help you establish an independent life.

Take this stress of “aging-out” and factor in the intense and sustained stress while growing up which increases the need for healthy supportive relationships.

DFPS offers many resources for youth aging out, however, to obtain these resources a FC Young Adult must be focused, determined, self-motivated and vigilant.

Decision-making, planning, organizing, and managing skills are complex for many FC Adults whose crucial need is love.

LIST OF TOPICS The Heart of a FC Young-Adult

If you really knew me Same yet different What I think, What I need

Help: Give Them What They Need Guiding Principles

Stepping Stones Vision Motivation Relevance Support Guidance Reassurance

Cleared for Take-off Liaison Resources

HEART OF THE FC YOUNG-ADULTIF YOU REALLY KNEW ME…

You would know: I have attended more than 7 schools, most likely I am smart however it may not seem like it on paper

(gaps) I will be a first-generation college student, most likely College is valued yet viewed as abstract not as reality, in

my mind I do not know what I do not know (how can I begin) The language of college is new to me; I don’t know what

to ask or I’m embarrassed to ask because I should know (syllabus, degree plan, credits)

My reality: where will I live, will I have money, who will care about me now,

I say I’m an adult but I feel like a child (lonely, scared, unsure, abandoned)

To me, today is most important; I make decisions for the moment based on feelings or survival (lack hopeful vision)

I wish I were like my peers (had people I could trust)

HEART OF THE FC YOUNG ADULTSAME YET DIFFERENT…

Graduate HS Love Income Housing Trustworthy people Employment/college

Graduate HS Enroll into University Scholarships Network Graduate College Begin Career

My Goals (survival) Peer Goals (expectations)

HEART OF THE FC YOUNG ADULT

What is really important? Why should I care? How is college helpful? Who cares? Can I do this? When can I be self-

sufficient? Where do I begin?

Vision Motivation Relevance Support Guidance Reassurance Stepping Stones

What I think: What I need:

GIVE THEM WHAT THEY NEED STEPPING STONES: GUIDING PRINCIPLES

VisionMotivationRelevanceSupportGuidanceReassurance

STEPPING STONE #1 CAST A VISION

Create: a risk-free environment

for the students in which they can begin to dream

create a springboard for them to envision a hopeful future

Provide inspiration and assurance that a hopeful vision is possible

Teach and guide them to plan-and-reach for it

HOW: Enlist/partner/and equip

School Counselors Lunch Bunch Advisory period Handouts Videos Speakers-first

generation Websites Posters

STEPPING STONE #2INSPIRE MOTIVATION

FC youth are likely to: be a “first-generation”

student in college enter college with less

academic/social preparation due to many moves/set-backs

have limited access to information about careers and college experience, either first-hand or from relatives.

Need more information through exposure & experiences

Exposure:

Youth activities Youth organizations Community Leaders Speakers (first-

generation) Youtube.com Career Videos &

Assessments Texasgearup.com

STEPPING STONE #3DESIGN RELEVANCE

FC youth are likely to: Lack specific types of

knowledge, such as the connection between career goals and educational requirements

Need, intellectual self-authorship, develop understanding relevant to the individual’s life experiences & understanding

Respond to active learning situations; connect new knowledge with their individual life experiences

Survival mode Role models- Alumni Firstgenerationstudent.com Firstinthefamily.org Mycollegeoptions.org Educationfortexans.org FC2success.org (Foster Care

to Success)Experience: Texas Workforce Service Learning Internships in the community Mentors: Community leaders Texas Gear Up.com

STEPPING STONE #4CATALOG SUPPORT

MENTORSHS Staff

College Parent OrganizationVolunteers

Church Members

Community Leaders

Make sure students know about support services and how to access them, as needed.

STEPPING STONE #5INITIATE GUIDANCE (HIGH SCHOOL)

Provide senior transitional meetings; allowing 1-1 meetings with first-generation/FC seniors

FAFSA, question #53: Independent student Discuss with students the wide range of postsecondary

education and training opportunities (certificate programs, etc.)

Help students match postsecondary programs with their goals and skills (career assessment)

Help students prepare checklist of materials to gather which will be needed for admission process; test results, state ID, social security card, FAFSA, immunization records, etc.

Discuss/prepare a list of questions to be asked by a first-generation college student

Encourage students to attend college orientation

STEPPING STONE #5INITIATE GUIDANCE

For the first-generation college students, especially those from foster care, choosing a school with a structured first-year support program is considered a key factor in completing their education.

Post-high school First-year Experience Freshman

Orientation Summer Bridge

Programs Freshman Seminars Learning

Communities, Intrusive Advising and Mentoring

STEPPING STONE #6ENSURE REASSURANCE

For every school move-students in foster care lose 4-6 months of emotional growth & academic preparation-they drown in uncertainty and need reassurance

Give them permission to come out of their comfort zone with courage

Assure them that they can be self-sufficient when they take the tools you are offering and apply them; the will to be self-sufficient is up to them

Remember ~ Every child, no matter what the circumstances into which they are born, deserves the same loving support, encouragement and resources as our own children.” Foster Care to Success Founder Joseph Rivers

Guiding Principles for Success!

SIX GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR SUCCESS I envision my success (vision) I am a strong person with unique talents, gifts and

skills (motivation) I am proud of the cultural and personal values that

make me who I am (relevance) I benefit most by having services and supports that

work together to help me achieve my goals (support)

I pursue relationships that help me succeed and seek opportunities to make contributions to others (guidance)

I am a leader, and I make important contributions to my community (reassurance)

• ~It’s My Life,

REFLECTIONS: CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF!!

Vision: Provide handouts of local community colleges, universities, degree plans, career correlations, housing, websites, videos, testimonies

Motivation: Create a springboard to expose options and inspire action to communicate, plan, determine and organize goals

Relevance: Design experiences to connect; prompt intellectual self-authorship; correlate education to the world around them

Support: Catalog the vast amount of support offered from the high school, college and community

Guidance: Initiate individual transitional meetings in support of “first-generation” student needs

Reassurance: Ensure guiding principles for self-sufficiency and future success

RESOURCES: FOR THE FC LIAISON/HS COUNSELOR

It’s My Life: Postsecondary Education and Training, website: www.casey.org

Beyond the Foster Care System-The Future for Teens, by Betsy Krebs & Paul Pitcoff

A Framework for Understanding Poverty, by Ruby K. Payne DFPS, “Access Granted – Texas Foster Care Handbook for Youth”,

a friendly guide on resources and support, website: www.dfps.state.tx.us/documents/child_protection/pdf/foster-care-handbook.pdf (English version)

DFPS Transitional Living Services, website:www.dfps.state.ex.us/Child_Protection/Youth_and_Young_Adults/transitional_living/default.asp

Texas Foster Youth Justice Project, “A Guide for Those “Aging Out” of Foster Care in Texas” website: www.texasfosteryouth.org

CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF! Gayle Jordan, Advanced Education Coordinator, M.Ed., CSC

I am a Certified School Counselor currently working at Presbyterian Children’s Homes & Services (PCHAS) in Texas.  PCHAS provides care and support to children and families in need through group homes, foster care, adoption, single parent residential and community resources in Texas, Missouri and Louisiana. 

 I have worked at PCHAS since 2006.  As the Advanced Education Coordinator for  PCHAS, I assist foster care students transitioning out of high school and into college.  I guide them through the application process of college admission, financial aid, PAL/ETV benefits, housing applications and community resources.  Through the PCHAS Advanced Education Program, I continually guide and support them until they graduate or leave college.   

 I am a first-generation college graduate of Dallas Baptist University where I received both my Bachelor and Master’s of Education.  I am a member of the Texas Counseling Association and the Texas School Counselor Association.  Prior to joining PCHAS in 2006,  I served as a classroom teacher for ten years in public and private schools in Ellis County.  My love for helping youth aging-out of foster care comes from personal experience.  I lived in foster care after the age of 13, entered into college at the age of 18.  I know first-hand how challenging the college admission, financial aid,  and journey to survive can be for a young person coming from foster care.