Presentation for Ohio Foster/Adoption/Kinship (FAK) quarterly meeting in Athens

1. Jacob Okumu
Coordinator for Student Outreach and Developmental Services
okumu@ohio.edu
740.593.9376
31 S. Court Street, Rm. 192
Office of
Multicultural Student
Access and Retention
Office of Diversity and Inclusion

2. Developing a vision for foster
youth to succeed academically

3. • 75% of foster youth express a desire to attend college
• Only 15% are enrolled in college prep courses in high
school
• Only 20% of foster youth with a GED/high school
diploma enroll in post-secondary education vs. 60% of
the general population
Education

4. • Ohio Reach improves post-secondary outcomes for foster
care youth and alumni through leadership, empowerment,
advocacy, research and networking (L.E.A.R.N.)
• The purpose of Ohio Reach is to increase the number of
foster care youth who enroll in and graduate from college.
• Since 2009, Ohio Reach has been working to establish Foster
Care Liaisons at Ohio universities and community colleges.
http://ohioreach.wikispaces.com

7. • The OHIO Reach Scholars Program is a resource at
OHIO dedicated to advocating for and assisting college age
former foster care youth or those disconnected from their
biological families.
• This program is overseen by the Office for Multicultural
Student Access and Retention (OMSAR), and includes a
number of specialized support systems designed to meet the
unique needs of former foster care students.

8. • LINKS, OMSAR’s college transition and support program,
provides one-on-one and large group student engagement
and support for first year students, including peer mentoring,
tutoring, and social events to help students in the transition
to college.
• Specially-equipped academic advisors to help students
create plans for academic success. Students meet with their
advisors to collaborate and tailor the academic experience to
their student’s individual learning objectives.

9. • Financial aid and health care literacy to provide
students who have emancipated from foster care with access
to scholarships and healthcare options
• Community service and engagement to help students
cultivate leadership skills and engage with the local
community to grow academically and socially in a safe,
nurturing, and supportive environment

10. • Study Abroad opportunities
• Scholarships during Winter and Spring break
• Alternative social programming to family-themed
weekends
• Engagement in Research and professional
conferences

11. College Bridge Programs:
• GEAR UP, TRIO: First-generation college students
•Upward Bound: Students must have completed the 8th grade, be
between the ages of 13 and 19, and have a need for academic support
in order to pursue a program of postsecondary education. All students
must be either from low-income families or be potential first-generation
college students.

12. Name that logo:

14. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

15. Money you don’t have to repay

16. What are the dangers of student
loans?

18. If I do work-study during the summer,
will that impact
the amount of grant money
that I receive
during the spring and/or fall?

19. STEPS TO SUCCEED

20. ETV Funds:
•The ETV program is a federally-funded, state-administered program
that provides grants up to $5,000 per year to assist former foster youth
pursing higher education.
•This includes college and vocational training institutions.
•Funds can be used for: Tuition, books, textbooks, and living
expenses.
• To learn more, visit: ohio@statevoucher.org

21. ETV Eligibility:
A current, or former foster youth who:
Was in foster care on their 18th birthday and aged out at that time; OR
Was adopted from foster care with the adoption finalized AFTER
his/her 16th birthday; OR
Will have his/her foster care case closed between the ages of 18 and
21.
At least 18, but younger than 21, to apply for the first time.
Already accepted or enrolled in a degree, certificate or other
accredited program at a college, university, technical, vocational
school.
To remain eligible for ETV funding, students must show progress
toward a degree or certificate.
Students remain eligible for ETV up to age 23 if they received ETV
funding prior to their 21st birthday.

22. OHIO Youth Advisory Board suggestions:
• Youth felt that college education should start early on
• Time management + study skills (How many hours studying should you
budget per class? What's the best way to study for my learning style?)
• Time management
• Scholarships: How to apply
• Access – program for IEP scholars
• Keeping in touch with your student advisor

24. Wife and (step)mother

25. Developing a comprehensive plan for former
foster youth to succeed in higher education