Creating a Model for Foster Youth

in Higher Education

The John Seita Scholars Program

October 11, 2011Mark Delorey and Deng Moses

Who are foster youth?

• Students who are refugees or from war-torn countries

• Students raised without family privilege– e.g., foster care, living with friends

• Students raised in chaotic households– e.g., domestic violence, substance abuse,

child abuse, mental illness• Students raised in dangerous neighborhoods

Seita Scholars 2008-09

Seita Scholars 2009-10

Seita Scholars 2010-11

Seita Scholars 2011-12

Foster Care Statistics

• Most children are placed in foster care because of abuse or neglect.

• On any given day there are over 500,000 children in the U.S. living in foster care.– Most children return home or are adopted– About 25,000 youth “age out” each year

• Michigan has over 19,000 children in foster care annually– Over 500 Michigan youth “age out” each year.

Journey through Foster Care

Removed from your family home by police or child protection authority

Caseworker has “parental” authority Foster home is temporary

24% live in relative foster homes

Average foster care stay is 33 months Separation from siblings/other family Multiple homes, schools, & communities “Age out” with no permanent home

Obstacles to Higher Education

• Financial Support• Year-round Housing• Lack of Mentors and Adult Guidance• Academic Preparation and Support• Socialization• Legal, Medical, Counseling Needs• System Navigation (DHS, Medicaid, Courts)

Welcome Packs

Seita Scholars

IN THEIR OWN WORDS……

IN THEIR OWN WORDS…

“To be a Seita Scholar means to have all the support I need to be successful, and to raise the statistics of former foster care kids that finish college”

Working Together

IN THEIR OWN WORDS…

“Being a Seita Scholar gives me a chance to live my life, and to find

out who I am”

Pizza Time

More Pizza Time

IN THEIR OWN WORDS…

“Being a Seita Scholar means becoming successful, a leader, a role

model and to want more in life for myself”

Community Activities

IN THEIR OWN WORDS…

“Being a Seita Scholar to me means the opportunity to reach my full potential”

Welcoming Environment

Not all work!

How we got started? A good question

– How many students at WMU are from foster care?

A Summit meeting– April 2007 DHS and MCC host meeting in Albion, MI

A good idea– A scholarship for foster youth, outreach to foster

youth, and comprehensive student support

An opportunity with new leadership– President John Dunn supports the initiative– Campus and Community Support

Dr. John Seita WMU 3 Degree Alum

Student Advisory Group

The Challenge

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

# FosterYouth Aging

Out

# Aspire toCollege

# 7+ SchoolChanges

# GraduateHigh School

# enrolling incollege

# earningdegree in 6

yrs

100%

70%

50%

10-15% 2-4%# of

Fos

ter Y

outh

Agi

ng O

ut

65%

Program Elements

• Full Undergraduate Scholarship• Personal Support • Academic Support • Mentoring• Community Involvement

Focus on Academic Success Time management Scheduling Accountability Accepting feedback Coping with stress Study habits Learning skills “Manage” childhood

Memories, present circumstances

Peer Leaders

Social Activities

Teamwork

Mentoring

Mentoring

Achieving Goals

Siblings

Program Services Assessment of College Readiness (College Student Inventory)

Customized Orientation and Welcome Week Paid-for Campus housing over semester breaks Emergency funds Assistance Securing Work Study Job on campus Academic Supports (e.g., assessments, tutors) Midterm Grade Reports Specialized Classes exclusive to Seita Scholars

• First year seminar, Learning Styles• Campus Coach Support

Campus Coach Model Campus Coaches: masters-level, clinically

trained, working knowledge of foster care system

24-hour on-call “Go-to” person on campus Provide services based on student-centered

philosophy Support with 7 life domain areas, navigating

systems and connecting to campus departments

Coaches

Problem AreasStudent Problems addressed with Campus Coach# Students %

Active Biological Family Issues 40 33.3Depression or Anxiety interfering with School 35 29.2Academically Unprepared 32 26.7Concern for Siblings Adopted or in Foster Care 27 22.5Physical Health Problems 20 16.7Death or Violence of a Loved One 19 15.8Substance Abuse 16 13.3DPS or Kalamazoo Police Involvement 15 12.5Domestic or Physical Violence Involving Student 12 10Mental Health Diagnosis 11 9.2Pregnancy or Parenting 8 6.7Suicide Ideation or Attempt 7 5.8Documented Learning Disability 4 3.3

Typical Student Aid Package$5,550 Pell Grant

$1,000 SEOG

$9,000 Seita Scholarship

$5,000 Education Training Voucher

$2,000 Work-Study

$22,550

(NO LOANS!)

School’s Revenue (round numbers)

* Odds of enrollment without program = 0

(Revenue to school = $0)

* Seita Scholars must live on campus

(Revenue to school = $9,000)

* Cost to operate program

(Offset by revenue from room and board)

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

• Colleges have a role in serving students from foster care.– WMU is developing a national program model.

• Lessons learned at WMU can inform policy and practice targeting foster youth populations.– Fields: child welfare, health care, education

• Human Service, Health and Educational institutions can partner to better serve foster youth who age out of foster care.

Challenge to YOU! What can you do to assist foster youth on

your campus? What can you do to assist foster youth in

your state? Would you like to begin a similar

program?!?!

Western Michigan University cares about foster youth!

www.wmich.edu/fyitGo Broncos!!!