Supporting Student Success

David Johnston, Connecticut Postsecondary Education Committee Chris Klefeker, Academic Adviser and Retention Specialist, Foster Care Liaison; Miami University Hamilton Alisha Hawkins , Coordinator Guardian Scholars Program; Ball State University Eileen McCaffrey , Executive Director; Orphan Foundation of America Columbus State Community College, May 12, 2009 How We Can Help Students Succeed

Higher Ed and Child Welfare as Partners
Identify potential and current students
Raise awareness of community resources for ALL students (i.e. housing, medical, food, transportation, child care, etc.)
Forge relationships with people who have a history with your student and are familiar with his or her situation

First Steps
Planning committee, representing relevant campus functions, creates a pilot.
Designate a “champion” on campus; a "single point of contact for foster youth,”
Create a “peer support group”, voluntarily attended, of foster youth on-campus – identified via ODJFS, foster parents, and quiet outreach on campus.
Train campus staff about issues challenging foster youth on campus and over school breaks and vacations.

Open the Door to Their Future
College visits
FAFSA
ETV funds
GEAR UP: Gaining early awareness for undergraduate programs
TRIO: First-generation college students
AVID : Advancement via individual determination

College Recruitment
Hold ILP classes on a college campus
Send your foster care liaison to high school visits, or to group homes or transition housing
Create posters and signs with Ohio Reach logo
Hold advising appointments with the emancipation coordinator and the prospective or new student

College Retention
Better preparation
Connections on campus
Choosing a college closer to home
OCOG and Pell Grant
Peer Support Networks
College Liaison
Paired with a mentor in the community
Connections amongst schools for smooth transfers or relocations

Keys to Campus Survival
Housing during breaks
Transportation
Support systems

What About Evaluation?
Grades and GPA
Courses taken
On-Campus activities
Transfers and reasons for doing so
If dropped out, reasons for doing so
Graduation
Current status, whereabouts, activities – ideally at certain time intervals (e.g., 1,3, & 5 years)

Six Elements for Program Development:
Designated leadership
Internal and external champions
Collaborations with community agencies
Data-driven decision making
Staff/peer support and professional development
Sustainability planning

Identifying College Students from Foster Care
FAFSA data base queries (question #53)
Work w/ your area independent living, child welfare/social workers, and agencies
Brochures, posters, media spots
Websites – both college, social services, and youth
Foster care status question on applications & “sign in” forms
Outreach to area high school counselors
Use of Ohio Reach Symbol in your office and your Foster Care Liaison title on your business cards
Word of mouth – student/youth networks

Collaborative Student Support: ETV Colleges Emancipation/ ILP

Existing Models: Funded and Zero Budget

Funded Models
Guardian Scholars - BSU
Seita Scholars - WMU
Dr. John Seita = foster care alum
2007 statewide conference initiated
Scholarship covers tuition and FA covers most other expenses (*51 students)
Campus Coaches
Career plans; life skills
Students on Planning Committee
Initiated by Lumina Foundation approaching BSU
Four campuses; three community colleges and one residential campus (*25-30 students)
Life skills, tutoring, care packages, social programming
Student Board

Zero Budget Models
Miami University
All three regional campuses along with the new VOA site have named liaisons.
The state does not provide additional assistance.
Each liaison is linked with a different student support office: advising, learning assistance, transition/retention
CA FYSI Schools
110 CA community colleges participating
The state does not provide additional financial assistance
Each campus has an appointed liaison, whom is typically associated with the Financial Aid Office or EOP

Zero Budget Models Continued
Miami University
On the MU campuses the liaisons will work with an average of 1-4 FCA per year, in addition to recruitment and advocacy efforts
Comprehensive Financial Aid package (based on a “O” EFC)
Advising point of contact (*on three campuses) with their liaison
CA FYSI Schools
During 2007-2008 the smallest number of FCA seen by a campus was 1 student. The largest number seen was 495 students
Comprehensive Financial Aid package and assistance with filling out forms
Varying student supports i.e. counseling & advising

Open Discussion

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Supporting Student Success

by Lisa Dickson

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