for College Success Kate Danielson Executive Director Ashley Keme Board of Directors Alison Myers Student ISU July 21 2017 Tinley Park IL College Road Trips College Mentoring amp Scholarships ID: 816050
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Slide1
Preparing Youth from Foster Care for College Success
Kate Danielson, Executive DirectorAshley Keme, Board of DirectorsAlison Myers, Student ISU
July 21, 2017Tinley Park, IL
Slide2College Road Trips
Slide3College Mentoring & Scholarships
Slide4Workshops& Advocacy
Slide5Illinois DCFS OverviewWho is the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)?Mission Statement Protect children who are reported to be
abused or neglected and to increase their families' capacity to safely care for themProvide for the well-being of children in our care Provide appropriate, permanent families as quickly as possible for those children who cannot safely return home
Support early intervention and child abuse prevention activities Work in partnerships with communities to fulfill this mission
Slide6There are approximately 17,000 children in foster care in Illinois.
32.3% of them, or 5,491 youth, are teens and young adults.
Slide7Aging Out28,000 youth
“age-out” of foster care each year in the US between the ages of 18-21.In 2011, Illinois had the third highest rate in the country of youth aging out.
In 2011, around 50% of youth in Illinois exited foster care via emancipation.
Slide8Outcomes for youth aging out31%experience homelessness
50%had been unemployed
57%had been incarcerated
Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Care Youth at age 26, 2011
Slide9Degree Attainment3%
86%
Why the gap?
Slide10Pell Grant$5,920
Map Grant$4,720
Youth in College*
$511/month, for living expenses
Education & Training Voucher
$5,000
Community College Repayment Program
School-based Grants
$2,709
on average
Piecing Together Financial Aid
$18,349
Slide11DCFS Youth in Scholarship$ full tuition
Foster Progress up to
$5,000
Other
Scholar- ships
Student
Loans
Work
Study
Jobs
More Pieces of the Financial Aid Puzzle
Family
Contri-
butions
Slide12Housing IssuesBefore moving into college dorms, youth are living in one of three places: With foster parents ILO - Independent Living OptionsTLP - Transitional Living Program
There’s no going back.
What can higher education do?
Keep dorms open during breaks!(Foster Progress is working on a host program.)
Slide13Childcare IssuesDCFS resources do help young women pay for childcare, but it is just another logistical matter to figure out.
71%
women aging out became pregnant before age 21
Slide14Logistics and beyondWe can solve logistics. Money √Housing √Child Care √But what about…Underprepared academically
Inspire them early“Second chance” programsTrain foster parents and case workersTrauma
Slide15Trauma 101 “Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.” SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Trauma can be categorized as: Acute trauma- single incident, ie. car accident Complex trauma- repeated event, ie. ongoing physical or sexual abuse
Slide16The 3 E’s of Trauma Event(s) Experience of event(s)
Effect
Slide17Effects of Trauma on Youth In CareAttachmentBiologyAffect regulationDissociation
Behavioral controlCognitionSelf concept
Slide18Impact on the Brain
Slide19Trauma Informed Care - “The 4 Rs” Realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery Recognizes
the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the systemResponds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices and seeks to actively Resist Re-traumatization
Slide206 Key Principles of a Trauma-informed Approach
1. Safety
2. Trustworthiness and Transparency
3. Peer Support
4.
Collaboration and Mutuality
5.
Empowerment, Voice and Choice
6.
Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues
Slide21Practices We RecommendLogistical PracticesScholarship money Keeping a dorm open during breaks
Provide childcare
Slide22Practices We RecommendMaking Connections“Mother hen” - assigning staff to be in charge of these youthNavigating disability in college - getting accommodations
Connecting youth to mental health and medical servicesAllocating for peer meetings and study sessionsCreate ways for youth from foster care to find each other before school starts - break out sessions, resource tables, etc
Slide23Practices We RecommendMessaging and AttitudesTrauma Informed CareOptimism - knowing and believing that these youth can succeed
Growth mindset
Slide24ExamplesIllinois State University - Center for Child Welfare and Adoption StudiesLoyola University -
First Star ScholarsNorthern Illinois University - Educational Access Project CHANCE Program Eastern Illinois University
Slide25Student’s PerspectiveAlison MyersJunior at Illinois State University
Slide26Thank you!www.foster-progress.orgKate Danielson Ashley Lepse Keme773-793-0951 773-369-6334kate@foster-progress.org
ashleylepse@gmail.com
Slide27References Midwest Evaluation of Adult Functioning in Former Foster Youth, Outcomes at Age 26. Chapin Hall, 2011. SAMHSA, July 2014. SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma informed approach.