Supporting the Foster Care Student Population

1. Supporting the Foster Care Student Population

2. Erika Callahan, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Salem State UniversityJoanne Dashiell, Manager, Community Outreach, MEFA Timothy O’Brien, Education and Training Specialist, Massachusetts Department of Children and Families Presenters

3. About MEFA MEFA is a not-for-profit state authority that works to make higher education more accessible and affordable through community education programs, college savings plans and low-cost financing options.

4. Independents…Who Are They? Specifically DCF Involved Students • Every culture • Every race • Every type of background • Financial and Educational • Urban – Suburban - Rural • Moved frequently • Sometimes have experienced abuse and neglect

5. Support Networks • Who advocates for them? • Social Workers • Grandparents • Relatives • Friends • Foster Parents • College/High School Administrators and Student Support Services • Limited support structure “no helicopter parents” • THEY HAVE GREAT NEED • Information • Resources

6. Activity – “An Independent Frame of Mind” • Let’s say I told everyone today that you would be leaving with me to go on a trip. I will not tell you where we are going or how long we will be away. Everyone just has to leave with me today. I will give you the opportunity to go home and get the 5 most important things in your life to bring with you. • Your 5 things can be tangible, intangible, people, possessions. But your only allowed 5. • Make a list of the 5 (You will need a pen and paper)

7. Finding College Support • Student Support Services, High School Guidance, TRIO, and Financial Aid Administrators are in a unique position to have a positive impact on these students • Sometimes first point of contact for Independent Students • Assist student with making other positive connections/work together to support these students • Empathize with the challenges they are facing • Know additional resources to assist students

8. Finding College Support • Have a dedicated staff person knowledgeable about the language and regulations relating to independent students • Examples: • Documentation required • ‘emancipating’ • ‘aging out’ • Build Trust • Saturate them with helpful resources • Give them privacy • Don’t pry, listen..

9. DCF & College/University Partnerships DCF and Salem State University Erika R. Callahan, M.Ed. | Assistant Director of Financial Aid Salem State University Results: Retention, Positive Outcomes, Supported Student Population. • Academic Resources • Financial Aid – Point of Contact • Housing Support – Breaks and Summer Housing • Student Employment • Frequent College Advising by DCF

10. www.mefacounselor.org 800.449.MEFA (6332)

11. Types of DCF Custody • Permanent Custody (Care and Protection) • CHINS • Adoption (Before/After 13) • Guardianship Placement • Voluntary Placement Agreement Other Types of Possible Independents: Probate, Homeless, Runaway, DYS

12. Documentation for Independents • DCF Can Assist • Proof of Custody Status • Look at Dates of custody compared to DOB • Ward of Court Letter • Guardianship proof from DCF or Probate

13. Foster Care Youth Access Colleges in All Sectors

14. What Colleges are Foster Care Students Attending? New England Dental SNHU Lincoln Tech New England Hair Gibbs Regis Fisher HCC Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology Boston College NECC Western New England Gordon UTI GCC Harvard MBCC Dean College Boston University Providence URI American Red Cross Stanford ITT Emerson AIC Lasell Bay Path College Syracuse Bridgewater State Umass Amherst Becker College Marian Court St. John's Quincy Emmanuel Brandeis University Bay State Howard University Wheaton Holy Cross QCC MWCC Trinity Elms STCC Anna Maria College Framingham State Norwich Tufts BCC Wheelock Johnson & Wales U Maine Barnard College Hampshire College Worcester MCC Lesley Bentley University Curry College RCC Mount Holyoke Umass Dartmouth New England Institute of Technology University of San Diego P&C NSCC Middlebury MTTI Umass Boston Andrews University BHCC Simmons UNC Mass Maritime Mass College Pharmacy Middlesex Clark University Northeastern Elms MCLA Springfield Assumption College Merrimack Salem State Umass Lowell Fitchburg State Zion Bible Newbury Mass School of Barbering Westfield Berkshire Community College Pine Manor Cape Cod Community College Wells Mass College of Art and Design www.mefacounselor.org 800.449.MEFA (6332)

15. DCF Financial Supports • Foster Child Tuition and Fee Waiver • Adopted Child Tuition and Fee Waiver • Massachusetts Foster Child Grant • Massachusetts Education and Training Voucher • William Warren Scholarship

16. Tuition & Fee Waiver Eligible Youth • In DCF Protective Custody until the age of 18 • Unable to return home • Have not yet turned 25 • Adopted The Waiver waives the cost of tuition of state supported classes only at Mass public colleges, community colleges, and universities. Does not cover: books, fees, room and board.

17. Mass Foster Child Grant Eligible Youth • Permanent legal Resident of Mass • US citizen or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regs. • DCF custody through a Care and Protection • Not yet reached 25th Birthday • Enrolled Full-time (12 credits or equivalent) • Has completed FAFSA • Meets schools requirements for satisfactory academic progress

18. Education and Training Voucher • Eligible Youth • Youth who were in DCF custody until age 18. • Unable to return home • Must apply before 21 and eligible until 23 • Adopted after the age of 16 • Must have High School Diploma or GED

19. DCF – College Support • DCF College Fair “Think College Early” • DCF Educational Open Houses - Statewide Area DCF Office • Education and Training Support • College Advising Days - One on one planning and reviews • College Connections • Fin Aid Staff • Student Support Services • Student Account Staff • Admissions • Housing

20. What Can Be Done…. • Be aware of the additional challenges independent/foster/adoptive students are undertaking during their undergraduate program. • Become the support system and person they can turn to for assistance on campus. • Be aware of any other support systems (including DCF supports) on an off campus for students to easily access.

21. What Can be Done (cont.) • Make others in the college community aware of the presence and success that foster and adoptive youth are having on your campus. • Encourage other professionals and colleagues on campus to become proactive supporters of foster youth. • Become a Mentor for a young adult who is working towards their college degree at your college or university

22. DCF Contact Info • Michelle Banks – DCF Program Supervisor Phone: (617)-748-2430 • Fax: (617)-748-2156 • Tim O’Brien – DCF Education and Training Worker • Phone: (617)-748-2309 • Fax: (617)-748-2156 • Grant & Scholarship Information can be found through Adolescent Services and Education • www.mass.gov/dcf • Child At-Risk Hotline – 1-800-792-5200

23. MEFA Contacts Joanne Dashiell jdashiell@mefa.org 617-224-4863 Stephanie Wells swells@mefa.org 617-224-4809