The Promises and Limits of University Support for Foster Care Students: Defining Care and Recognition (Poster 64)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Eight
  In Poster Session: 2023 AERA Undergraduate Fellows Research Poster Fair

Abstract

"This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of campus support programs (CSP) for
college students with a history of foster care or the child welfare system (kinship, juvenile
justice, emancipated youth). CSPs are often referred to as guardian programs or hope scholars and are designed to provide academic, financial, and other resources to promote postsecondary education persistence. CSPs have existed for nearly two decades, and research suggests that CSPs are a vital factor in increasing the number of foster care students graduating. However, approximately 3–4% of foster care students graduate college—a number that has not changed for the past two decades. Limited research has evaluated students' interactions with the university and the programs. The gap in research has compelled this study to investigate three central questions: (1) Are college support programs keeping their promise of assisting foster youth in overcoming day-to-day obstacles in college? (2) How does the provision of care in university support programs impact the academic success of foster care students? (3) What attributes contribute to establishing a positive experience for foster youth students in higher education? To answer these questions, this study uses survey and in-depth interview data to evaluate program resources, students' satisfaction, relationships, and involvement in the program. To articulate the data, this research is in conversation with Maria Puig de la Bellacasa's Matters of Care and Evelyn Nakano Glenn's Forced to Care to understand the holistic and empathetic support that addresses the unique needs of foster youth in the academic setting. The preliminary findings of this study indicate that the most crucial support a program can provide is a sense of belonging and recognition for foster youth on campus. In essence, the sense of belonging and recognition of foster youth on campus creates community engagement, advocacy, and empowerment opportunities, which in turn enables educational success for students with a history of foster care."

Author

• Alishba Sardar, University of California - Berkeley
  Presenting Author