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An exploration of life outcomes for college graduates with foster care histories by race: Preliminary results from a campus-based program

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  • Unrau, Yvonne A.
  • Dawson, Ann W.
  • Anthony, Jonathan C.
  • Toutant, Tamara M.
  • Hamilton, Ronicka D.

Abstract

There is limited knowledge about what life is like for young adults with experience in foster care after graduating with a baccalaureate degree. Research has clearly established that youth and young adults face many challenges during and after the foster care experience. This paper explores how college graduates with foster care histories fare after graduating from a 4-year college that offered a campus-based program. Additionally, life outcomes for the graduates are examined by racial identity. A web-based survey was sent to 109 graduates from 2010 to 2017. All were supported by a single campus-based program, and 41 individuals responded for a 37% response rate, which limits generalizability to all graduates. The results offer a preliminary portrait of college graduates with foster care histories who received support from a campus-based program in areas of employment, housing, finances, health, relationships and life skills. Racial identity was associated with some outcomes, indicating that graduates in the racial minority grouping reported lesser outcomes in some instances compared to their White peers. Future research is needed to determine which programmatic elements are most critical to promote success post-graduation, as well as the differential impact of program support across the various identities and societal conditions that intersect with college students who have foster care histories.

Suggested Citation

  • Unrau, Yvonne A. & Dawson, Ann W. & Anthony, Jonathan C. & Toutant, Tamara M. & Hamilton, Ronicka D., 2020. "An exploration of life outcomes for college graduates with foster care histories by race: Preliminary results from a campus-based program," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:116:y:2020:i:c:s0190740920301717
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105108
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Watt, Toni & Kim, Seoyoun, 2019. "Race/ethnicity and foster youth outcomes: An examination of disproportionality using the national youth in transition database," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 251-258.
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    3. Villegas, Susy & Rosenthal, James & O'Brien, Kirk & Pecora, Peter J., 2014. "Educational outcomes for adults formerly in foster care: The role of ethnicity," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 42-52.
    4. Dworsky, Amy & Pérez, Alfred, 2010. "Helping former foster youth graduate from college through campus support programs," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 255-263, February.
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    6. Johnson, Royel M. & Strayhorn, Terrell L. & Parler, Bridget, 2020. "“I just want to be a regular kid:” A qualitative study of sense of belonging among high school youth in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    7. Lenz-Rashid, Sonja, 2018. "An urban university campus support program for students from foster care: Services and outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 180-185.
    8. Unrau, Yvonne A. & Dawson, Ann & Hamilton, Ronicka D. & Bennett, Jamie L., 2017. "Perceived value of a campus-based college support program by students who aged out of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 64-73.
    9. Harris, Marian S. & Jackson, Lovie J. & O'Brien, Kirk & Pecora, Peter J., 2009. "Disproportionality in education and employment outcomes of adult foster care alumni," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(11), pages 1150-1159, November.
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    1. Salazar, Amy M. & Schelbe, Lisa, 2021. "Factors associated with post-college success for foster care alumni college graduates," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).

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