IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/cysrev/v130y2021ics0190740921003236.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Cultivating safe and stable spaces: Reflections on a campus-based support program for foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness

Author

Listed:
  • Cheatham, Leah P.
  • Luo, Yan
  • Hubbard, Shannon
  • Jackson, M. Sebrena
  • Hassenbein, Will
  • Bertram, Jess

Abstract

Foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness face similar challenges within higher education, including housing instability, food insecurity, as well as low levels of social, emotional and financial support — all of which contribute to poor rates of persistence and graduation. Given the intersecting challenges and needs of foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness, many college campuses have established formal support programs to meet the needs of these student populations. This study explores the implementation and administration of Alabama REACH, a campus-based support program for foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness who attend the University of Alabama. Through analysis of narratives elicited through three focus groups with program volunteers and staff, this study presents insights into program strengths and challenges, including the importance of social support, challenges of stigma and shame in program recruitment and service provision, and the need to prioritize stability and sustainability throughout program planning efforts.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheatham, Leah P. & Luo, Yan & Hubbard, Shannon & Jackson, M. Sebrena & Hassenbein, Will & Bertram, Jess, 2021. "Cultivating safe and stable spaces: Reflections on a campus-based support program for foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:130:y:2021:i:c:s0190740921003236
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106247
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740921003236
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106247?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tobolowsky, Barbara F. & Scannapieco, Maria & Aguiniga, Donna M. & Madden, Elissa E., 2019. "Former foster youth experiences with higher education: Opportunities and challenges," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Hernandez, Liliana & Naccarato, Toni, 2010. "Scholarships and supports available to foster care alumni: A study of 12 programs across the US," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 758-766, May.
    3. Samuels, Gina Miranda & Pryce, Julia M., 2008. ""What doesn't kill you makes you stronger": Survivalist self-reliance as resilience and risk among young adults aging out of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(10), pages 1198-1210, October.
    4. Sullivan, Melissa J. & Jones, Loring & Mathiesen, Sally, 2010. "School change, academic progress, and behavior problems in a sample of foster youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 164-170, February.
    5. Morton, Brenda M., 2017. "Growing up fast: Implications for foster youth when independence and early adulthood collide," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 156-161.
    6. Dworsky, A. & Napolitano, L. & Courtney, M., 2013. "Homelessness during the transition from foster care to adulthood," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(S2), pages 318-323.
    7. Okpych, Nathanael J. & Park, Sunggeun (Ethan) & Sayed, Samiya & Courtney, Mark E., 2020. "The roles of Campus-Support Programs (CSPs) and Education and Training Vouchers (ETVs) on college persistence for youth with foster care histories," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    8. Randolph, Karen A. & Thompson, Heather, 2017. "A systematic review of interventions to improve post-secondary educational outcomes among foster care alumni," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 602-611.
    9. 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.
    10. Wells, Melissa & Zunz, Sharyn, 2009. "Challenges and strengths among Chafee Education and Training Voucher eligible youth: The rural service providers' perspective," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 235-242, February.
    11. Skobba, Kim & Meyers, David & Tiller, Lori, 2018. "Getting by and getting ahead: Social capital and transition to college among homeless and foster youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 198-206.
    12. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. Kinarsky, Alana R., 2017. "Fostering success: Understanding the experience of foster youth undergraduates," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 220-228.
    15. Day, Angelique & Dworsky, Amy & Fogarty, Kieran & Damashek, Amy, 2011. "An examination of post-secondary retention and graduation among foster care youth enrolled in a four-year university," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(11), pages 2335-2341.
    16. Geiger, Jennifer M. & Piel, Megan Hayes & Day, Angelique & Schelbe, Lisa, 2018. "A descriptive analysis of programs serving foster care alumni in higher education: Challenges and opportunities," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 287-294.
    17. Villagrana, Kalah M. & Mody, Elizabeth H. & Lawler, Siobhan M. & Wu, Qi & Ferguson, Kristin M., 2020. "Educational outcomes for homeless young adults with and without a history in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    18. Villagrana, Margarita & Guillen, Cindy & Macedo, Vanessa & Lee, Sei-Young, 2018. "Perceived self-stigma in the utilization of mental health services in foster care and post foster care among foster care alumni," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 26-34.
    19. Semanchin Jones, Annette & Bowen, Elizabeth & Ball, Annahita, 2018. "“School definitely failed me, the system failed me”: Identifying opportunities to impact educational outcomes for homeless and child welfare-involved youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 66-76.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Miller, Rebecca & Blakeslee, Jennifer & Ison, Chanel, 2020. "Exploring college student identity among young people with foster care histories and mental health challenges," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    2. Blakeslee, Jennifer & Miller, Rebecca & Uretsky, Mathew, 2022. "Efficacy of the Project Futures self-determination coaching model for college students with foster care backgrounds and mental health challenges," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    3. Opsal, Tara & Eman, Rebecca, 2018. "Invisible vulnerability: Participant perceptions of a campus-based program for students without caregivers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 617-627.
    4. Watt, Toni & Faulkner, Monica, 2020. "The Texas tuition and fee waiver program for youth who have experienced foster care: An assessment of waiver utilization and impact," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    5. Okpych, Nathanael J. & Park, Sunggeun (Ethan) & Sayed, Samiya & Courtney, Mark E., 2020. "The roles of Campus-Support Programs (CSPs) and Education and Training Vouchers (ETVs) on college persistence for youth with foster care histories," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    6. Watt, Toni & Lord, Kayli & Bustillos, Sheila & Gavin-Williams, Regina & Greeson, Johanna & Hail, Toni & Hoffman-Cooper, Angela, 2023. "Campus liaisons for students who have experienced foster care: Lessons learned from Texas legislation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    7. S. Samarah, Esaa Mohammad & Schelbe, Lisa & Jackson, Lisa A., 2023. "A photovoice study of college students who have experienced foster care, relative care, and/or homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    8. Tobolowsky, Barbara F. & Scannapieco, Maria & Aguiniga, Donna M. & Madden, Elissa E., 2019. "Former foster youth experiences with higher education: Opportunities and challenges," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-1.
    9. Salazar, Amy M. & Spiers, Sara S. & Bennett, Maija & Haggerty, Kevin P., 2023. "Fostering Higher Education: Preliminary findings from a small randomized pilot study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    10. Okpych, Nathanael J. & Courtney, Mark E., 2018. "The role of avoidant attachment on college persistence and completion among youth in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 106-117.
    11. Randolph, Karen A. & Thompson, Heather, 2017. "A systematic review of interventions to improve post-secondary educational outcomes among foster care alumni," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 602-611.
    12. Geiger, Jennifer M. & Piel, Megan Hayes & Day, Angelique & Schelbe, Lisa, 2018. "A descriptive analysis of programs serving foster care alumni in higher education: Challenges and opportunities," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 287-294.
    13. Lindner, Abigail Rose & Hanlon, Ryan, 2024. "Outcomes of youth with foster care experiences based on permanency outcome – Adoption, aging out, long-term foster care, and reunification: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    14. Villagrana, Kalah M. & Mody, Elizabeth H. & Lawler, Siobhan M. & Wu, Qi & Ferguson, Kristin M., 2020. "Educational outcomes for homeless young adults with and without a history in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    15. 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.
    16. Schelbe, Lisa, 2018. "Struggles, successes, and setbacks: Youth aging out of child welfare in a subsidized housing program," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 298-308.
    17. 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).
    18. Kinarsky, Alana R., 2017. "Fostering success: Understanding the experience of foster youth undergraduates," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 220-228.
    19. 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.
    20. Lopez, Kizzy M. & Geiger, Jennifer M. & Okpych, Nathanael J. & Gamez, Sara I. & Larregui, Danielle, 2022. "The impact of COVID-19 on campus-based support programs serving students with foster care experience: Focus groups with administrators and students," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:130:y:2021:i:c:s0190740921003236. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/childyouth .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.