Our Model

Parents don’t just give their teenagers the keys to the family car and say, “Have at it, the highway’s thataway.” Similarly, they don’t just drop them off at college and wave goodbye with a cheery, “See ya later, alligator.”

But foster youth can be treated like that – welcome to the highway of adulthood, good luck at college, good bye.

Being accepted into a college or training program is a terrific first step, but there is so much more involved in ensuring that every student gets the most out of his or her higher education experience, obtains a credential or diploma, and enters adulthood ready to thrive.

That’s why Foster Care to Success has developed the 9-Domain Student Support Services Model. Bearing in mind that each young person is at their own stage of personal development, every FC2S program participant is coached, mentored and guided towards success in each of the domains shown below.

Every student is connected with a program coordinator, who gets to know them individually and guides them throughout their time in college or training program.

Reliable transportation is key to successful independence – students must be able to get to school and work whether it’s by car, bus, bicycle, or on foot.

Stable housing is the foundation that allows students to attend college and succeed.

The heart of the matter, of course, is education. FC2S works with every student to help keep them on track academically, and encourages them to use campus resources such as the career and tutoring centers. Students are also encouraged to participate in the Academic Success Coaching Program and take advantage of a personal academic and life coach.

Supportive relationships are crucial to a person’s happiness and well-being. FC2S encourages students to create and strengthen relationships with family, counselors, mentors and friends at school and within their communities.

As anyone who’s ever taken a psychology class knows, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs culminates in self-actualization. FC2S supports and encourages all students as they start the grand life journey of discovery; what they need, what they love, and what they excel at. Upperclassmen are invited to apply for our Aim Higher Fellowship Program, which engages them not only in their own lives but in giving back to their communities as they encourage others to plan their educational goals.

College students need to understand financial aid, the difference between loans and grants, and how to develop a budget that enables them to live within their means, reducing or eliminating the need for student loans.

FC2S provides students with basic information on health maintenance and well-being. As changes are made to Medicaid, FC2S is working to help students and states understand and access the program.

If we understand that attending college and moving forward as an independent adult straight out of foster care is difficult for any student, imagine how much more difficult it can be for one who is parenting! FC2S has two dedicated coordinators to work just with pregnant and parenting students.

Program engagement is critically important. Coordinators use the telephone, text messaging, email, Facebook and even Twitter to connect with students and form the solid relationships that will enable them to move forward – step by small step or by leaps and bounds – in every domain.