Technical College System Offices 3/27/2012 GEORGIA’S COLLEGE ACCESS PLAN LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION: SUPPORTING THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE

1.Background & introductions 2.Snapshot of the issue in Georgia 3.Perspective of youth 4.How can CACG support youth in care? OVERVIEW

The intersection of two groups that support education: 1.College Access Challenge Grant program (CACG) The College Access Challenge Grant program seeks to increase postsecondary degree attainment of P-12 students traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The College Access Challenge Grant program emphasizes performance, partnerships, and the overall value to higher education as part of its metrics for success. and 2.Georgia Youth Opportunities Initiative (GYOI) The Georgia Youth Opportunities Initiative’s mission is to connect the people, systems, and resources necessary to assist young people impacted by the foster care system in making successful transitions to adulthood. The Education Subcommittee of the GYOI works to identify barriers to success as well as identify areas of support for youth in care. BACKGROUND

Membership:  Victoria Salzman, GYOI  Cynthia Moreland, nsoro Foundation  Echo Garrett and Mike Daly, Orange Duffel Bag Foundation  Eric McGhee, Georgia Dept. of Education  Mike Angstadt, Twin Cedars, MAAC Board Member  William Teasley, Atlanta Educational Fund  Shaquita Ogletree, MAAC  Rielle Grant, MAAC  Palaesha Curtis, student, GYOI  Octavia Ferguson, student, GYOI  David Meyers, Fanning Institute GYOI EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Youth in foster care face an uphill battle to graduate from high school, gain acceptance to college, and graduate from college due to a myriad of reasons, including:  Multiple moves  Inconsistent school attendance  Difficulties in maintaining relationships  Emotional/Behavioral difficulties  Lack of educational role models  Many others… Without support from trusted adults, youth in care may drop out of college over incidental expenses, like parking tickets or library fines WHAT IS THE ISSUE?

 As of 9/30/2009, 8221 youth in foster care  Of those, 23.3% of youth in care were between (1915 youth)  For academic year , ~350 Georgia youth in foster care are enrolled in college  14% of youth aging out of foster care will graduate from high school  2% of youth aging out of foster care will graduate from college  On average, youth in GA's foster care move 7-10 times (or more)  Every move for a child in foster care represents a 6 month loss in educational progress  Other statistics are on the handout THE STATISTICAL STORY

 Resources exist for college expenses:  GA HB 272: grants to support “tuition, ancillary student fees, and the cost-of-living expenses for any undergraduate program of any Georgia public postsecondary institution”  Youth in care may sign themselves back into foster care and be eligible for continued benefits, such as medicaid RESOURCES

What is the biggest barrier that you faced: 1.While Preparing for College (still in High School)? 2.While Seeking Acceptance to College? 3.While in College? YOUTH PERSPECTIVE

Potential Solutions:  Training and mentoring for youth in care, such as ODBF  Educational advocates for youth  Organized tutoring programs and systematic insurance that youth have access to support.  Increased opportunities for exposure to college environments such as pre-collegiate experiences HOW TO SUPPORT YOUTH IN CARE PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

Potential Solutions:  Developing a relationship with the College Boards (who administer the SAT/ACT) to eliminate barriers to success for youth in care  Develop a section of GA College411 that is specifically designed for youth in care  Bring Apply to College and FAFSA events to ILP groups and group homes HOW TO SUPPORT YOUTH IN CARE GAINING ACCEPTANCE TO COLLEGE

Potential Solutions:  Develop a USG Guardian Scholars program on a range of campuses that could provide:  Intersession support with food and housing  Mentoring/advocacy on campus  Establish an entity on campus to advocate for foster care issues  Identify preference for youth in care to on campus employment  Provide additional support for books  Identify resources for academic financial aid as well as support for general living expenses HOW TO SUPPORT YOUTH IN CARE WHILE IN COLLEGE