Cultivating safe and stable spaces: Reflections on a campus-based support program for foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness

Cheatham, Leah P.; Luo, Yan; Hubbard, Shannon; Jackson, Mark; Hassenbein, Will; Bertram, Jess

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106247

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…This research uses a biographical, qualitative method to study the housing pathways in high school and college for 27 students enrolled in four‐year colleges in the state of Georgia who experienced foster care or homelessness in adolescence. Youth who have been homeless or in foster care are often studied together due to substantial overlap and shared experiences of family and housing instability, food insecurity, the need for self‐reliance at a young age and low levels of social, emotional and financial support (Cheatham et al, 2021; Dworsky & Courtney, 2009; U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2016; Huang et al, 2018; Tierney et al, 2008). However, the experiences between and within these two populations are by no means monolithic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…or in foster care are often studied together due to substantial overlap and shared experiences of family and housing instability, food insecurity, the need for self-reliance at a young age and low levels of social, emotional and financial support (Cheatham et al, 2021;Dworsky & Courtney, 2009;U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2016;Huang et al, 2018;Tierney et al, 2008).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…However, there is no similar programme for students who were homeless as youth (Hallett & Crutchfield, 2017). Campus-based support programmes often serve the two populations together, though programmes may serve either foster care alumni or youth experiencing homelessness (Cheatham et al, 2021). We are interested in providing a more nuanced understanding of this group of vulnerable college students with shared characteristics and varied life pathways.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Nowhere to go: Housing pathways of college students with foster care and homelessness experience

Skobba

Moorman

Meyers

et al. 2022

Child & Family Social Work

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This study builds on previous research to understand longer term housing experiences in late adolescence and early adulthood for vulnerable college students. Using a biographical, qualitative method, we study high school and college housing and family circumstances for 27 students with homelessness or foster care experience enrolled in 4-year colleges in Georgia. We identified three different housing pathway types in high school-family homelessness, unaccompanied youth and foster care.Housing instability and frequent moves were common in high school among all housing pathway types. In college, students who were able to find low or no-cost housing and those who identified a foster care pathway in high school achieved greater housing stability. Others students experienced a continuation of housing instability that began in high school. Additional funding to cover the cost of on-campus housing would likely contribute to increased stability. Additional strategies, such as rental assistance programmes tailored for college students, may be needed to address housing instability for vulnerable college students. More research on the unmet housing needs and the consequences of housing instability during college for homeless and foster youth is needed to further a housing policy agenda that focuses on practical solutions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Nowhere to go: Housing pathways of college students with foster care and homelessness experience

Skobba

Moorman

Meyers

et al. 2022

Child & Family Social Work

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“…Few studies, however, have examined the impact of CSPs (i.e., graduation rates) or their role in how students fare after graduation, likely due to programs lacking the capacity to collect and evaluate program components and outcomes (Schelbe et al, 2019). Several recent publications describe CSPs serving students who have experienced homelessness or foster care and provide qualitative accounts of their experiences as part of these programs (Cheatham et al, 2021;Huang et al, 2018). Cheatham and colleagues (2021) held focus groups with students and found that students in the REACH program at the University of Alabama benefited from tangible supports (e.g., food pantry), social and emotional support, and academic support (e.g., study groups).…”

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confidence: 99%

How do Students Involved with a Campus Support Program for Students with a History of Foster Care, Relative Care, or Homelessness Fare After Graduation?

Schelbe

Geiger²,

Schoborg

et al. 2023

Child Youth Care Forum

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Background Postsecondary education can provide opportunities for students from traditionally hidden populations like those who have experienced foster care or homelessness. To assist these students, campus support programs (CSPs) provide a wide range of services and activities. Objective Evidence of the impact of CSPs is limited, and little is known about how students who were involved in CSPs fare at or after graduation. This study seeks to address these gaps in knowledge. Methods: This mixed-methods study surveyed 56 young people involved in a CSP for college students who have experienced foster care, relative care, or homelessness. Participants completed surveys at graduation, 6 months post-graduation, and one-year post-graduation. Results At graduation, over two-thirds of the students felt completely (20.4%) or fairly (46.3%) prepared for life after graduation. Most felt completely (37.0%) or fairly confident (25.9%) that they would get a job after graduation. Six months after graduation, 85.0% of the graduates were employed, with 82.2% working at least full-time. 45% of the graduates were enrolled in graduate school. These numbers were similar a year after graduation. Postgraduation, participants described areas of their lives that were going well, obstacles and hardships faced, changes they would like to see in their lives, and post-graduation needs. Across these areas themes were present in the areas of finances, work, relationships, and resilience. Conclusions Institutions of higher education and CSP should assist students with a history of foster care, relative care, and homelessness to ensure that after graduation, they have adequate money, employment, and support. Keywords Campus support program • Foster youth • Foster care alumni • Homelessness • Postsecondary educationStudents who have experienced homelessness and non-traditional family care arrangements (e.g., foster care, relative care, and ward of the state status) are often hidden populations in postsecondary education settings and may experience lower rates of access to and success

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Reducing barriers to post-secondary education among former youth in care: A scoping review

Gahagan,

Slipp,

Chowdhury

et al. 2023

International Journal of Educational Research Open

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Cultivating safe and stable spaces: Reflections on a campus-based support program for foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness

Cited by 3 publications

References 46 publications

Nowhere to go: Housing pathways of college students with foster care and homelessness experience

Nowhere to go: Housing pathways of college students with foster care and homelessness experience

How do Students Involved with a Campus Support Program for Students with a History of Foster Care, Relative Care, or Homelessness Fare After Graduation?

Reducing barriers to post-secondary education among former youth in care: A scoping review

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