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A descriptive analysis of programs serving foster care alumni in higher education: Challenges and opportunities

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  • Geiger, Jennifer M.
  • Piel, Megan Hayes
  • Day, Angelique
  • Schelbe, Lisa

Abstract

Foster care alumni experience a number of challenges related to accessing and completing postsecondary education, however little is known about the programs that currently exist in the United States that support this group of students in college. This study sought to build on previous work that calls for the need to develop programs to support foster care alumni in higher education and to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of existing programs and the perceived programmatic and student challenges as reported by program directors and staff, faculty, and researchers. Eight-one program directors, staff, and researchers in 22 states participated in an online survey about their perceptions of challenges related to programs supporting foster care alumni in college and challenges students experienced. The survey also elicited information about program and student characteristics. Results indicate several challenges related to financial support, student engagement, student housing, and helping students manage family and personal issues. This information created the foundation for a discussion about implications for future research, programs, practice, and policy related to foster care alumni in higher education.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:85:y:2018:i:c:p:287-294
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.01.001
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    Cited by:

    1. 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).
    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. 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).
    4. 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).
    5. 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.
    6. John Fowler & Mark Zachry & David W. McDonald, 2023. "Policy Recommendations from an Empirical Study of an Online Foster Care Community," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(5), pages 2033-2054, October.
    7. 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).
    8. 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).
    9. Stone, Blayne D., 2024. "On your mark, get set, go: The athletic recruitment and postsecondary experiences of Black male college athletes formerly in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    10. 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).
    11. 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.
    12. 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).
    13. 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).
    14. 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).

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