The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a pivotal developmental stage as young people learn the skills needed to be healthy and productive adults. This process can be complicated for youth with foster care experience. Here’s what we know about the experiences of these youth in Pennsylvania.
PAW is a program for students under the age of 28 who experienced foster care and/or out-of-home placement at any time in their youth. PAW provides access to support and resources to help students reach their academic and career goals.
The WCU Promise Program is a campus support program serving unaccompanied homeless and foster youth. The program supports students with access to year-round housing on campus, food and supplies from the Resource Pantry, priority employment opportunities, access to scholarship funds, and monthly programming that provides mentorship and opportunities to engage with peers and guest speakers.
The mission of the Fostering Lions Program is to improve postsecondary education outcomes for students entering Penn State from the foster care system by providing ongoing support, connecting students to critical university services, and developing skills for post-graduation success.
The Foster Care 2 College (FC2C) program at Montco offers a supportive group environment to current students who were once in the foster care system.
The SOAR Program at Manor College was designed to assist students who have experienced foster care or who qualify as independent or unaccompanied by providing resources to aid in their journey to obtaining a college degree. Students who participate in the program will have a dedicated point of contact at the college who will help them to navigate the higher…
To be eligible for a FosterEd waiver, the student must: Be eligible for services under Pennsylvania’s John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood. Be identified as a youth who is in foster care, or was discharged from foster care on or after attaining age 16, OR has exited foster care on or after age 16 to adoption or…
Kutztown University has partnered with ChildPromise, Inc. to present a one-of-a-kind support program for students who are current or former members of the foster care system or students who are homeless/unaccompanied youth. The PROFS program encourages students to reach their potential and be a positive example for others who have also gone through the system.
The Keystone SPARK Program is a campus support program serving students who have experienced foster care. The program helps support students with access to food and supplies from the Food Pantry, a safe space to share successes and challenges, workshops, and more.
If you are a student who currently or formerly has experienced foster care or are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, please reach out to a trusted adult on campus. There are programs and supports in place to provide support, assistance, and to help with finding the resources needed to keep you on your path to success.