Jacob OkumuCoordinator for Student Outreach and Developmental Servicesokumu@ohio.edu 740.593.9376 31 S. Court Street, Rm. 192

Office of Multicultural Student Access and RetentionOffice of Diversity and Inclusion

Developing a vision for foster youth to succeed academically

• 75% of foster youth express a desire to attend college

• Only 15% are enrolled in college prep courses in high school

• Only 20% of foster youth with a GED/high school diploma enroll in post-secondary education vs. 60% of the general population

Education

• Ohio Reach improves post-secondary outcomes for foster care youth and alumni through leadership, empowerment, advocacy, research and networking (L.E.A.R.N.)

• The purpose of Ohio Reach is to increase the number of foster care youth who enroll in and graduate from college.

• Since 2009, Ohio Reach has been working to establish Foster Care Liaisons at Ohio universities and community colleges.

http://ohioreach.wikispaces.com

• The OHIO Reach Scholars Program is a resource at OHIO dedicated to advocating for and assisting college age former foster care youth or those disconnected from their biological families.

• This program is overseen by the Office for Multicultural Student Access and Retention (OMSAR), and includes a number of specialized support systems designed to meet the unique needs of former foster care students.

• LINKS, OMSAR’s college transition and support program, provides one-on-one and large group student engagement and support for first year students, including peer mentoring, tutoring, and social events to help students in the transition to college.

• Specially-equipped academic advisors to help students create plans for academic success. Students meet with their advisors to collaborate and tailor the academic experience to their student’s individual learning objectives.

• Financial aid and health care literacy to provide students who have emancipated from foster care with access to scholarships and healthcare options

• Community service and engagement to help students cultivate leadership skills and engage with the local community to grow academically and socially in a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment

• Study Abroad opportunities

• Scholarships during Winter and Spring break

• Alternative social programming to family-themed weekends

• Engagement in Research and professional conferences

College Bridge Programs:

• GEAR UP, TRIO: First-generation college students

•Upward Bound: Students must have completed the 8th grade, be between the ages of 13 and 19, and have a need for academic support in order to pursue a program of postsecondary education. All students must be either from low-income families or be potential first-generation college students.

Name that logo:

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Money you don’t have to repay

What are the dangers of student loans?

What’s the best way to handlemy college refund check?

If I do work-study during the summer,will that impact

the amount of grant money that I receive

during the spring and/or fall?

STEPS TO SUCCEED

ETV Funds:

•The ETV program is a federally-funded, state-administered program that provides grants up to $5,000 per year to assist former foster youth pursing higher education.

•This includes college and vocational training institutions.•Funds can be used for: Tuition, books, textbooks, and living expenses.• To learn more, visit: ohio@statevoucher.org

ETV Eligibility:

A current, or former foster youth who: Was in foster care on their 18th birthday and aged out at that time; ORWas adopted from foster care with the adoption finalized AFTER his/her 16th birthday; ORWill have his/her foster care case closed between the ages of 18 and 21.At least 18, but younger than 21, to apply for the first time. Already accepted or enrolled in a degree, certificate or other accredited program at a college, university, technical, vocational school. To remain eligible for ETV funding, students must show progress toward a degree or certificate.Students remain eligible for ETV up to age 23 if they received ETV funding prior to their 21st birthday.

OHIO Youth Advisory Board suggestions:

• Youth felt that college education should start early on• Time management + study skills (How many hours studying should you budget per class? What's the best way to study for my learning style?)• Time management• Scholarships: How to apply• Access – program for IEP scholars• Keeping in touch with your student advisor

Wife and (step)mother

Developing a comprehensive plan for former foster youth to succeed in higher education