Leveraging Community Partnerships to Break Barriers to College Access.

Leveraging Community Partnerships to Break Barriers to College Access

Project Overview

• Two-year planning grant funded by Administration for Children and Families

• Purpose: Plan to make system and practice level improvements to benefit youth that have experiences with foster care by integrating the core elements of the preliminary intervention framework.

Core Elements

Education /

Employment

Permanent Connections

Housing

Social & Emotional Well-Being

Education

• Needs assessments • Coordinate community partners • Train staff and mentors on

educational resources• Coordinate coaches/case managers• Data collection and sharing• College readiness• College/vocational school tours• Education Day• FAFSA training• Internships/summer programs

Employment

• Coordinate with community partners for trainings, job fairs and internships

• Train staff and mentors on employment resources

• Job readiness and advancement trainings for youth

• Skill and interest assessments• Job placements and referrals • Career exploration, labor

market information• Internship/summer jobs

Restore Education

Overview

• Opened in 2008• Dropout Recovery: GED & College

Readiness– Served over 3,000 students– Over 90% of GED graduates either enroll in

college or improve employment within 6 mo.– Over 19% GED graduates have completed

college, 6 times the US average for GED grads.

Who We Serve

• Ages 16 and up• Average age: 20

– 85% economically disadvantaged

– 80% minority– 50% parents– 40% former foster

youth

Target Population

• Behind in credits• Difficulty with TAKS, STAAR, EOC • Attendance issues• Need flexible schedule• Need individualized help• Independent workers• Test anxiety, ADD/ADHD• Reading level: 8th and above

GED Program Components

• One-on-one and small group tutoring• Individualized, self-paced GED curriculum• Integrated TSI (college exam) prep• Job readiness activities• Support services and referrals• GED test Scholarships• Connection to HS diploma options

College Enrollment Support

• Apply TX, FAFSA, Registration• MOU with College advising and enrollment• Homework space: Tutoring, Laptops &

textbook library • Advising: Best-bet tracks & Degree tracking• Designated 1st year courses• Cohort Based learning• Transfer support

Partnership

MOU since 2010:– Free, year round

access for youth– Quick connection to

college– Dedicated college

support system

Benefits for BCFS & Youth

• Open enrollment• Year-round schedule• Flexible & part-time schedules• Located next to San Antonio College• Allows youth to access to ETV & other benefits• Eliminate need for developmental courses

Keys to Success

• Regular communication between staff• Cooperate on FAFSA, Apply TX, Tuition

waiver process • Focus on TSI – “college ready” scores

Recommendations

• Connect with like-minded organizations• Mutually beneficial MOU• Write Grants together• Help each other achieve goals• Education program on-site if possible

Questions & Answers

Norma Davila, MPH

BCFS Health and Human ServicesSan Antonio Transition Center

ndavila@BCFS.net

Kelli Rhodes, MBA

Kerri Rhodes, MAlt.

Restore Education

info@restoreeducation.com