Since 1993, Unity Care has supported more than 7,000 young people and families in the Northern California foster care system. Through its participant-centered programming, Unity Care addresses issues that face young people in and transitioning out of foster care, including initiatives that promote academic success.
While the majority of young people in foster care want to attend college, many barriers exist. Statistically, only 1 in 5 young people in foster care attend college after high school, and only 3 percent of those finish their degree.
The instability of life in foster care results in students who are ill-prepared for the academic rigor of college. Additionally, a lack of adult guidance can make navigating the complex higher education system difficult. Many states age young people out of foster care services at 18, leaving many students without resources during a critical point in their education.
To combat these issues, some states have created programs to support these students. To prevent attrition, California has established several initiatives, such as child care assistance and grants for textbooks and other school necessities.
So far, 21 states have extended foster care age limits to cover young people from the ages of 18 to 21. Many universities have also launched on-campus support and mentoring programs to address the unique needs of students in or transitioning from the foster care system.
While the majority of young people in foster care want to attend college, many barriers exist. Statistically, only 1 in 5 young people in foster care attend college after high school, and only 3 percent of those finish their degree.
The instability of life in foster care results in students who are ill-prepared for the academic rigor of college. Additionally, a lack of adult guidance can make navigating the complex higher education system difficult. Many states age young people out of foster care services at 18, leaving many students without resources during a critical point in their education.
To combat these issues, some states have created programs to support these students. To prevent attrition, California has established several initiatives, such as child care assistance and grants for textbooks and other school necessities.
So far, 21 states have extended foster care age limits to cover young people from the ages of 18 to 21. Many universities have also launched on-campus support and mentoring programs to address the unique needs of students in or transitioning from the foster care system.
