Ohio Reach Campus Model Supports Foster Youth

Paving the Road to Higher Education:
The Ohio Reach Campus Model
May 13, 2013
Simone G. Polk, AVP, Student Services
Mary 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:
• 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.)
Foster Care Data

• 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.

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’s
Independent Scholars Network
Mission
The 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.
Vision
Wright 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.

Value
Students
We value students and will carefully identify services and support to match
individual needs.
Achievement
We value achievement and recognize that students are unique and will rise to
meet and exceed standards of excellence on an individual basis.
Engagement
We 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 Pantry
What 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.

Ohio Reach Campus Model Supports Foster Youth

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