Supporting Foster Youth Reaching for Higher Education

1. Supporting Foster Youth Reaching for Higher Education March 23, 2010 Brandi Scales, JD Co-Chair of the Ohio Reach Advisory Committee

2. Malcolm X: A Former Foster Youth • “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” Supporting Foster Youth Reaching for Higher Education

3. Transitioning Youth • National data shows that one in five foster youth will become homeless at some time after age 18, less than 3% percent will earn a college degree and one in four will be incarcerated within two years of leaving foster care. • Youth transitioning from care may face some disparate outcomes. Risks of incarceration, early pregnancy, and lack of employment are much higher than with other youth. Supporting Foster Youth Reaching for Higher Education

4. Encourage Higher Education • “Without education, you're not going anywhere in this world.” Malcolm X • Maximize foster youth’s chances at success • Increased earning potential • Less reliance on state resources • “Education is the great equalizer” Aunt Sadie Supporting Foster Youth Reaching for Higher Education

5. What is Ohio Reach? • Ohio REACH is an opportunity to partner with both higher education and child welfare professionals to better prepare, engage and support former foster youth in higher education and improve retention, graduation outcome rates, and a successful transition to self sufficiency for our foster youth and alums. • The purpose of Ohio Reach is to address recruitment and retention of emancipated foster youth in Ohio’s higher education system and establish foster care liaisons at Ohio universities and community colleges. Supporting Foster Youth Reaching for Higher Education

6. The History of the Initiative • Foster Care Youth, Alumni and Advocates reported barriers and obstacles for foster care youth in attaining Higher Education. • Ohio Reach was born out of a series of meetings of a Higher Education Workgroup with various partners from public and private agencies, advocates and government. • One of the recommendations of the workgroup was to launch the Ohio Reach Initiative. • On May 12, 2009, the Ohio REACH Kick Off event attracts 200+ attendees Supporting Foster Youth Reaching for Higher Education

7. Building Momentum • Ohio Reach was awarded allied group status by the National Academic Advising Association. • Foster Care Alumni on Campus is published in Academic Advising Today, Vol. 23, No. 4, p. 10. • Counties and Schools are modeling programs such as HEMI to better support youth. • Ohio Reach is currently working to: • Expand campus liaisons. • Recognition of the Logo. • Duplicate programs across the state. Supporting Foster Youth Reaching for Higher Education

8. Ohio Reach Summit 2010 • The 2010 Ohio Reach Summit will take place on June 25th at Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio. • This year we will have Break Through Sessions which will discuss ways to support youth. • Currently accepting proposals through April 2nd for sessions. For more details, see http://ohioreach.wikispaces.com/ Supporting Foster Youth Reaching for Higher Education

9. Barack Obama • “Michelle and I are here only because we were given a chance at an education. I will not settle for an America where some kids don’t have that chance.”- President Barack Obama Supporting Foster Youth Reaching for Higher Education

10. Questions or Comments?