Foster Success is launching a new educational success program designed to help high school students in foster care navigate and prepare for higher education or career options after high school.
The Pathways program recently was announced during the organization’s first conference for Indiana educators aimed at improving education outcomes for Hoosiers in foster care. About 150 educators attended the event, according to a new release from Foster Success.
Pathways will guide high school sophomores, juniors and seniors as they explore options for after high school and help them structure individualized plans to access and attain their goals.
To support high school students, the statewide nonprofit has developed a grade-specific curriculum that includes individual, in-person and virtual opportunities. The curriculum incorporates state educational initiatives and 21st Century Scholarship Scholar Success Program requirements.
Pathways will include information about the different options available after graduation, resources to prepare for college admissions exams, guidance in completing scholarship applications and information about housing and will provide financial incentives for participation.
“This program is designed to help Indiana students in foster care navigate the wide array of options available to them after graduation and set a path to help them achieve their goals,” said Tiffany Powell, Foster Success assistant director of outreach and engagement for education. “Individuals in foster care often lack consistent adult mentors who can guide them as they decide whether to attend a two-year or four-year college, trade school, certification program or go into the military. Pathways will fill that gap.”
High school students who have spent time in foster care after the age of 14 can apply for the program at fostersuccess.org/educational-success/pathways.
Foster Success provides financial, educational and social support to foster care youth at a most critical time — when they are about to or have already transitioned out of the foster care system, most often with no family or economic support. Each year in Indiana, about 500 youth age out of the foster care system and into our communities.
Information about Foster Success can be found at fostersuccess.org, on Facebook, on LinkedIn and on Twitter @FosterSuccessUS.