BLUEPRINT 2017
Helping foster youth graduate college ready to thrive in the 21st century workplace
Blueprint for Success Conference,
The 2017 Blueprint for Success Conference is a dynamic two-day event that includes a networking reception and workshops. The conference, sponsored by John Burton Advocates for Youth, combines meaningful engagement opportunities with in-depth workshops presented by professionals with a passion and aptitude for supporting foster youth to achieve their higher education goals.
Special Thanks to Our Funders
Stuart Foundation, Walter S. Johnson Foundation, Pritzker Foster Care Initiative, California Wellness Foundation, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Our Agenda
Sheraton Gateway LAX
- 6101 West Century Blvd.
- Los Angeles, California 90045
Monday, October 16, 2017
- 12:30 PM | Conference Check In
- 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM | General Session & Workshops
- 4:45 PM – 6:15 PM | Networking Reception
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
- 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM | General Sessions & Workshops
Workshop Details
Monday, October 16
3:30 – 4:45 PM – Workshop Session A
Tuesday, October 17
10:00 – 11:15 AM – Workshop Session B
1:30 – 2:45 PM – Workshop Session C
A1 Assisting Undocumented Students
Andrea Ramos, Director of Immigration Law Clinic and Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School
A small, but especially vulnerable, group of foster youths are also undocumented. Learn about California laws that help undocumented students access higher education, the protections for students under the Department of Homeland Security Sensitive Locations Memo and provisions to protect student records. We will also review immigration options such as Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) and U-visa that apply to foster youth and will discuss the latest news regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
A2: Youth Voice: Top Down and Bottom Up
Sherri Brooks, Senior Manager of Higher Education Pathways, Silicon Valley Children’s Fund
Ashley Matysiak, Manager of Youth Engagement, Silicon Valley Children’s Fund
Delrisha White, Silicon Valley Children’s Fund Education Coach and Foster Care Alumni
Aleta Smith, YES Scholar and UC San Diego student
James Borina, YES Scholar, Advisory Board member and San Diego State University student
Vanessa Payne, Silicon Valley Children’s Fund Board of Trustee and YES Alumni
This workshop will present strategies employed by the Silicon Valley Children’s Fund (SVCF) to incorporate youth voice at every level of the organization and use the feedback to improve programs and outcomes. In this interactive workshop, you will have the opportunity to rate your own practices, and will be invited to consider specific improvements that could be made to expand youth voice. Participants will also hear directly from youth about their experiences contributing to agency policy and practice. The workshop is ideal for educators, and non-profit program and administration staff alike.
A3: Educate Tomorrow Service Year Corps: Former Foster Youth College Students as Paid Peer Mentors
Dr. Steve J. Rios, Senior Director of Positive Pathways, Educate Tomorrow
Shavon Saint Preux, Educate Tomorrow
Holley Newmark, Educate Tomorrow
Service Year Representative
In 2013, Educate Tomorrow began providing stipends, college credit, and leadership training to former foster youth in Miami-Dade County working as peer mentors in a partnership with Service Year. Educate Tomorrow’s Service Year Corps members enhance existing resources by providing a peer support network of students who assist campus staff to provide support to students in need. This session will explore a range of tools used by the program including an innovative coaching app and an appreciative advising framework, and will leave participants with all the tools needed to replicate a paid peer mentoring/coaching program.
A4: Empowering TAY in Mental Health Advocacy Efforts
Kathleen Casela, Program Director, California Youth Empowerment Network
Ashley Flores, Project Return Peer Support Network
The California Youth Empowerment Network is focused on empowering Transition Age Youth (TAY) to be leaders in community and mental health system transformation. Through this workshop, youth will learn how CAYEN incorporates youth voice in all our advocacy efforts. Our mental health stigma advocacy training, designed to develop new TAY leaders throughout the state, will be highlighted. We will also discuss various mental health related committees for those wanting to get involved with local and statewide policy efforts.
A5: Moving from “How’s School Going?” to Hands-On Academic Case Management
Simone Tureck, Associate Policy Director, John Burton Advocates for Youth
Shellena Eskridge, Larkin Street Youth Services
Sophia Daniel, formerly with Star Vista
Ashley Rarick, Bill Wilson Center
As a case manager, caregiver or foster youth supporter, how can you affect college enrollment, retention and long-term success? What should the week-by-week meetings with youth enrolled in college consist of? We know that merely asking about school isn’t enough, but what is? Join this workshop to hear from a group of foster youth housing providers who transformed their case management models to be hands-on and academic-focused. We will outline best practices for getting and keeping youth enrolled, staying plugged in on student progress, assisting youth in prioritizing college in the face of crises, managing financial aid and getting the academic support they need.
A6: Reaching Up: Supporting California’s Homeless Youth in Higher Education
Shahera Hyatt, Director, California Homeless Youth Project
Studies reveal that the majority of California’s unaccompanied homeless youth (ages 18-24) believe higher education is one of the primary ways of overcoming housing instability. Yet, they face numerous barriers to college completion including maintaining enrollment. What resources exist at California’s public higher education institutions to assist homeless undergraduate youth? This informative workshop, hosted by the California Homeless Youth Project will present new research, highlight the latest legislation, spotlight a local university’s approach, and honor voices of students with current and lived experiences of homelessness. Through a crowd sourcing activity, attendees will have an opportunity to identify solutions to better support college students experiencing homelessness while navigating higher education.
A7: A Comprehensive Performance Management System for College Programs Serving Foster Youth
Sonja T. Lenz-Rashid, Faculty Research Consultant and Assoc Professor of Social Work, San Francisco State University Guardian Scholars Program
Xochitl Sanchez, SF State University Guardian Scholars Program
Melanie Ramirez-Carpio, SF State University Guardian Scholars Program
Come learn about San Francisco State University Guardian Scholars Program’s new Salesforce Performance Management System for supporting foster youth in higher education. This exciting new tool offers comprehensive database functionality to help track student data, measure the quality and impact of various types of services and monitor student outcomes including retention rates, GPAs, graduation rates, and employment rates after graduation. Participants will learn how they can bring this valuable resource to their program.
A8: Mindfulness Practice: Taking Care of YOU
Dr. Sara Gamez, Associate Director, Student Support & Equity Programs, Cal Poly Pomona
Dr. Kizzy Lopez, Coordinator, Renaissance Scholars Program, California State University Fresno
Danielle Chambers, Associate Director, Educational Opportunity Program, California State University Los Angeles
We often tell our students to find balance, to take care of themselves, and create a self-care plan. What do we tell ourselves? How do we avoid burnout? This workshop will provide an overview of compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and how it may manifest in our daily work as practitioners. Tips and tools for mindfulness practice will be highlighted.
A9: CalYOUTH Survey: Findings to Improve Higher Ed Access and Outcomes
Laurie Kappe, President, i.e. communications
Nathanael Okpych, University of Connecticut School of Social Work
Adrianna Torres-Garcia, University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration
Lilia Granillo, i.e. communications
This workshop shares findings from a large study of California foster care youth (CalYOUTH Study) and an initiative to get foster youths’ perspectives on the findings of the study. We will learn about factors that influence foster youths’ likelihood of entering college, the colleges they most commonly enroll in, aspects of their transition to college and early experiences in college, as well as communication strategies that successfully resulted in feedback and engagement with youth. Attendees will have an opportunity to engage in group discussions about the findings, hear from a foster youth on methods for engaging her peers, view a video with youth perspectives, and brainstorm engagement strategies.
A10: Finding Your Path – Career and Technical Education
Richard Verches, Director, Los Angeles/Orange County Regional CTE Consortium
Marcia Wilson, Dean, Pathway Innovations and Institutional Effectiveness, LA Trade Tech College
Dione Washington, Director of Guardian Scholars, LA Trade Tech College
There are many higher education options for youth and adults, yet Career Education (formerly referred to as CTE) is often seen as a less desirable choice. However, Career Education offers programs of study that prepare students for hundreds of jobs that fuel the regional economy and offer career ladder options in high growth, high wage occupations. Learn about a host of career exploration tools that can assist youth in identifying their interests and navigating the range of CE options – from auto technician to dental hygienist to digital animation. You’ll learn about long-term salary prospects, ways to find what programs are available at each college, and how to help youth evaluate which programs are right for them.
B1: OC Network: Collaborating to Support Foster Youth Success
Deanna Merino Contino, Director, Center for Scholars, CSU Fullerton
Gabrielle Ridley, Orange Coast Community College
Natalie Timpson, Golden West Community College
Yajayra Tovar, CSU Fullerton
The Orange County Network was established in 2013 to develop an admissions pipeline for foster youth students from the Coast Community College District to California State University, Fullerton and equip these students with the tools necessary for academic and career success. This workshop will feature a panel discussion with representatives from the OC Network on the challenges, barriers and successes of supporting foster youth in completing their associate’s degree and transferring to a four-year university. Panelists will also discuss best practices and shared learnings on community partnerships, identifying effective interventions, and educating faculty and staff about at-risk student populations.
B2: It’s Not Drama, It’s Trauma
Theresa Reed, Program Director, Foster Kinship Care Education, Pasadena City College
What some describe as “drama ” is often the result of exposure to childhood trauma manifesting in adulthood. Come join in interactive exercises and group discussions on the strengths and challenges that youth in foster care face on a daily basis. We will explore an integrative model that incorporates research on trauma and brain development and how it shows up in adulthood. Participants will be given useful strategies that may be employed immediately to support foster youth growth and development and positively impact behaviors of students who have experienced trauma.
B3: Implementing a Mentoring Program for Students from Foster Care or Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Kizzy Lopez, Coordinator, Renaissance Scholars, CSU Fresno
John Hunt Jr., Coordinator African American Program Services & Leadership Development, CSU Fresno
This session will provide you with a roadmap for how to implement a faculty/staff mentoring program for college-going foster and unaccompanied homeless youth. Participants will learn about the guiding framework used by Fresno State University, the essential components of a successful mentoring program and lessons learned from the first year of implementation. Participants will also hear first-hand from mentors and proteges who have been a part of the mentoring program about their experience.
B4: Great Expectations: 10 Years of Lessons Learned
Rachel Mayes Strawn, Program Director, Great Expectations, Virginia’s Community Colleges
Jennifer Roark, Southwest Virginia Community College
Brittany Fuller, Southwest Virginia Community College
Great Expectations’ model, which began in 2008, is simple, yet powerful – connect foster youth with an adult coach at a community college who is committed to their success at the moment help is most needed. The program has helped Virginia’s foster youth pursue associate degrees and workforce certifications, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, and position themselves for employment and life success. Come learn about our program, which has served over 3,000 current and former foster youth at 21 community colleges, and the lessons learned as we’ve fine-tuned our model to have maximum impact.
B5: Jobs to Pay for College and Life!
Deb Cromer, Program Director, iFoster
Thomas Lee, Alliance for Children’s Rights / LA Opportunity Youth Collaborative
Krisha Ross, iFoster youth graduate
Headed to college? Youth still need to eat and pay the bills and financial aid doesn’t always cover 100% of the costs. Find out about the iFoster Jobs Program, how to enroll in the nearest program or bring the program to your community. The iFoster Jobs Program trains and equips transition-age foster and crossover youth (age 16-24) to earn permanent, livable wage part-time and full-time jobs. Our employer partners put iFoster graduates first in line for interviews, provide benefits including college scholarships and tuition reimbursement, and work with youth to accommodate school schedules.
B6: Start Early and Finish Strong: Early Program Interventions Push Students Toward Success
Rashida Elimu, Guardian Scholars Supervisor, Promises2Kids
Angela Aceves, Promises2Kids
Zach Chandler, Promises2Kids
Intervention for foster youth often happens too late, making successful intervention more difficult. Promises2Kids has built and sustained educational programming that intervenes early and follows foster youth through their education and career. Acknowledging that some students may not be excited about higher education in a traditional sense, the program helps students make crucial decisions about educational and vocational opportunities. Presenters will describe how the program has been continuously updated and revamped during its 16 years to meet the ever-changing need of young people in the foster care system. Following the presentation, participants will engage in an interactive game of “Walk the Life” where a student panel acts as judges as you face the challenges current and former foster youth face in their pursuit of education.
B7: Steps to Success: From Enrollment to Progression and Completion!
Erica Stowers, Assistant Director, First Place for Youth
Jessie Torres, Education Supervisor
LaMont Walker, Education Supervisor
Youth Presenter
Helping foster youth to enroll into college is just the beginning of our jobs. How do we support youth to progress and complete? At First Place for Youth, our nationally recognized model helps foster youth ages 18–24 years old build the skills to successfully transition to self-sufficiency and responsible adulthood. This workshop will outline framework components that supports youth to ENROLL, ENGAGE and ACHIEVE milestones of academic success, from assessing interest, developing readiness, supporting retention and celebrating progression.
B8: Finding Resources and Funding for Invisible Students
Finding resources and funding for invisible students: resources to support the success of foster care and homeless alumni
Robin Head, Associate Vice President for Development, Texas Woman’s University
Amy O’Keefe, Texas Woman’s University
Brenda Sweeten, University of North Texas
Sara Gamez, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
While issues of student debt and escalating costs are grabbing national headlines, the students caught in the gaps are often overlooked….and BIG needs need BIG support. Presenters from three different institutions will provide practical promising practices with a focus on identifying and securing resources to provide innovative programming and critical services. Leave with an understanding of the higher education landscape regarding foster care alumni and homeless students; strategies for implementing services for these high-risk populations; and specific steps for successful resource development, grant writing and funding management.
B9: HackFosterCare – Partnering with Tech to Improve California’s Foster Care System
Sixto Cancel, CEO/Founder, Think of Us
John Hogan, CEO/Founder, TeenForce
Genie Chough, Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services
What if you suddenly lost all access to the Internet? We rely on technology to do everything from showing us the best route home to charging our cars. How can we take advantage of these advancements to strengthen pathways to and through college for foster youth? From preparing youth for careers in technology, to designing youth-centered, college-focused apps, to hosting a Hackathon as a means to partnering with tech leaders, this workshop will feature strategies, tech solutions and lessons learned for engaging the technology sector to improve the lives of children and youth in foster care.
B10: Accelerating Success: Predictors of and Success Factors for Getting Foster Youth “To” and “Through” College Ken Sorey, Exec Vice President, Educational Results Partnership
April Allen, Vice President of Innovation and Strategy, Educational Results Partnership
Come learn about new research that illuminates the predictors of foster youth success in various phases of college completion. The presentation will include results from a quantitative data analysis, a statewide survey of community college foster youth support programs, and findings from college site visits of high-performing institutions. This comprehensive research will be distilled down for participants to make it actionable in your local context. Ask questions, participate and debate the implications for students we care about in our colleges and universities.
C1: Scholars Rising: A High School to College Pipeline for Foster Youth at Los Angeles City College
Marisol Aguilar, Academic Counselor, Los Angeles City College Guardian Scholars Program
Veronica Garcia, Counselor/Coordinator, Los Angeles City College Guardian Scholars Program
Armen Ter-Barsegyan, Education & Tutoring Specialist, Los Angeles Youth Network
Sagrario Gonzalez, PSA Counselor, LAUSD Foster Youth Achievement Program
Lakeah Dickerson, Senior Program Specialist, LACOE Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program
La Shona Jenkins, LAUSD Foster Youth Achievement Program
An extension of the Los Angeles City College Guardian Scholars Program, Scholars Rising is a college preparatory program for high school junior and senior foster youth. The goal of Scholars Rising is to provide a high school to college pipeline for foster youth through an introductory 8-week college counseling course. Come see the steps taken from the program’s inception, funding, and coordination. Hear the good, the bad and the ugly, data on student success, and how partnerships with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), LAUSD Foster Youth Achievement Program (FYAP), and Los Angeles Youth Network (LAYN) have contributed to the success of the program.
C2: Retreat Finder: Road to Personal Development
Danielle Chambers, Cal State Los Angeles
John Hamilton, CSU, Long Beach
Sara Gamez, Cal Poly Pomona
Joshua Williams, CSU Dominguez Hills
Steve Wilson, Cal State Los Angeles
Curglin Robertson, CSU Long Beach
Guardian Scholars Programs from Cal State LA, CSU Dominguez Hills and CSU Long Beach took 45 foster youth college students on a personal development retreat aimed at challenging negative self-perceptions by identifying personal strengths. Hear from staff and students who placed themselves in physically challenging activities while also participating in emotionally supportive workshops and discussions that promoted self discovery and personal success. You will leave with an understanding of the personal challenges students bring to campus that prevents them from developing a sense of community and belonging; the importance of providing spaces for personal growth and success for students; and tools that can help you replicate this program within your organization.
C3: “There’s No Place Like Home”: Tricks and Tips for Finding Permanent Housing
Ashley Rarick, THP+ Supervisor, Bill Wilson Center
Finding a place to live on your own can be overwhelming. Housing applications are confusing, wait lists are long, and landlords can be reluctant to rent to full-time students. This workshop, geared for young adults, will provide an in-depth understanding of the necessary steps to find and qualify for housing independently. Presenters will review the various strategies and skills needed to gain your own apartment in a competitive rental market. You will have a chance to discuss barriers, ask questions, and come away with a variety of resources to empower you in your search for a permanent place to call home.
C4: Increasing Access to CalFresh for Foster Youth Students in Higher Education
Jessica Smith, Statewide Foster Youth Success Initiative Liaison, Foundation for California Community Colleges
Alexis Fernandez, California Department of Social Services
Colleen Ganley Ammerman, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
Rachel Sumekh, Swipe Out Hunger
Come learn how current and former foster youth students in college can enroll in and begin receiving CalFresh benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps), and hear about the recently expanded CalFresh eligibility guidelines for all income-eligible college students, including current and former foster youth. We will feature a panel of representatives from the California Department of Social Services, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, and the Foundation for California Community Colleges who will give you an overview of CalFresh income/benefit guidelines and other eligibility criteria and the CalFresh enrollment process. They will review Assembly Bill 1930 and subsequent guidance regarding implementation, and discuss information regarding how CalFresh benefits impact student financial aid.
C5: Nudging to Success: Lessons Learned from 3 Years of Supporting Foster Youth Through Technology
Ross O’Hara, Behavioral Researcher, Persistence Plus
Christopher Dech, Educational Adviser, Moreno Valley College
Jeremy Johnson, Foster Youth Specialist, Riverside City College
Deanna Merino-Contino, Director, Center for Scholars, California State University Fullerton
Come learn about a multi-year partnership to support former foster youth to college success through the delivery of personalized, behavioral nudges via their mobile phones. We will share an overview of this interactive student support model and data that demonstrate its effectiveness with this population. Guardian Scholars program directors and students from Moreno Valley College, Riverside City College, and CSU Fullerton will discuss what they have learned about opportunities and challenges with this model of support. Leave with best practices for incorporating mobile nudging into your work with foster youth.
C6: Essentials Steps to Creating a Formula for Academic Success of Foster Youth Students
Florence Charlie, Guardian Scholar Counselor and Program Coordinator, Sierra College Guardian Scholars Program
Britney Slates, Sierra College-Guardian Scholars Program
Sal De Leon, Sacramento Office of Education
William King, Sierra College Guardian Scholar
Shane Libby, Unity Care ILP
Presenters from the Sacramento County Office of Education, Unity Care Independent Living Program, and Sierra College, along with a student panelist, will provide “how to” guides and information on lessons learned over the years of developing both a strong intersegmental collaboration and a Guardian Scholars program that has been embraced by campus administration. Best practice methods will be shared including what the group has learned over the years that has worked to help increase the recruitment, enrollment, retention, and academic success of foster youth students at community college.
C7: Hosting Events for Foster Youth Students: Working with your Community College and Community Partners
Aaren Cobb, NextUp Counselor/Coordinator, Reedley College
Veronica Salmeron, Fresno City College
Amanda Cardenas-Elerick, Fresno City College
Mark McNiff, Fresno City College
Come learn about the collaborative efforts of the State Center Community College District (SCCCD) to host events that inform foster youth of their post-secondary degree options and help high school seniors fully matriculate into community college. Panelists will provide an overview of how to replicate these events that assist current and former foster youth in reaching their higher educational goals. “How-To” information and handouts will be provided covering planning timelines, committee agendas, budgets, community partners roles and responsibilities, and community college roles and responsibilities.
DOWNLOAD PDF
Handout #1 – A2HE High School Student Registration Template Due 9.29.17
Handout #2 – 2016 Access Group Schedule
Handout #3 – A2HE 2016 Survey Questions 10-10-16
Handout #4 – A2HE 2016 Event Planning Schedule
Handout #5 – Collaborate Efforts for Access to Higher Education
Handout #6 – 2016 A2HE High School Budget
Handout #7 – Extreme Reg Agenda
Handout #8 – A2HE Extreme Registration Volunteer Assignments
Handout #9 – A2HE Extreme Registration Passport
C8: The Rules of Engagement
Larry Robbin, Executive Director, Robbin and Associates
Discover the eight levels of engagement you can have when you work with foster youth. The level of engagement will determine whether the youth respects and listens to you or rejects you. Learn to assess the levels and get a wide variety of strategies for taking them higher and deeper. Learn from the feedback of foster youth how they want to be engaged. Assess your engagement skills and develop a plan to improve them. When you improve your ability to engage foster youth, they can make more progress than ever before!
C9: Making Use of Legal Tools to Thoughtfully Increase High School Graduation Rates
Teri Burns, California School Boards Association
Alaina Moonves-Leb, Esq., Statewide Education Rights, Alliance for Children’s Rights
Under LCFF, school districts must close the achievement gap in high school graduation rates, especially for the lowest achieving subgroup, foster youth. Yet, they must do so thoughtfully, without pushing out the most vulnerable youth before they are prepared to succeed in the next stage of their lives. Utilizing two specific laws, learn best practices for implementation to improve graduation rates for foster, probation, and homeless youth: 1) awarding partial credits; 2) AB 167/216 graduation. The presentation will cover legal requirements, tools for implementation, and real world examples. It will also discuss how to counsel youth about their options, and help them and their education rights holders make the best choice based on their standing and specific long-term goals.
C10: Sky’s the Limit: Creating a Foster Youth Support Program to Cultivate Resiliency
Tia Holiday, Program Services Coordinator, Skyline College Guardian Scholars Program
Linda Allen, Retention Specialist, Skyline College Guardian Scholars Program
Calvonnia Kelly, Student, Skyline College Guardian Scholars Program
Alfreda Palmer, Student, Skyline College Guardian Scholars Program
Are you starting a new foster youth support program at your college campus or looking for strategies to bolster retention and participation in your program? The Guardian Scholars Program at Skyline College may have the answers for you in this interactive, hands-on look at what makes or breaks a foster youth support program at a community college. A combination of a panel discussion and interactive exercises will assist you in thinking critically and honestly about the needs of foster youth in higher education and the role of support programs at community colleges. This workshop will include current Skyline College students, an open forum Q & A, and clear strategies to build your foster youth support program.
Agenda
Monday - October 16, 2017
Monday, October 28 – Blueprint Conference
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7:30 – 8:30 PM Networking Breakfast
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8:30 – 9:45 AM Morning General Session with Keynote Presenter Arel Moodie
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9:45 – 10:00 AM Break
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10:00 – 11:15 AM Session B Workshops
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11:30 am – 12:00 pm General Session featuring California Community College Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley
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12:00 – 1:15 PM Networking Lunch
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1:15 - 1:30 PM Break
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1:30 – 2:45 PM Session C Workshops
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2:45 – 3:00 PM Break
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3:00 – 4:00 PM Closing Session featuring student performances
Monday, October 28 – Blueprint Conference
-
7:30 – 8:30 PM Networking Breakfast
-
8:30 – 9:45 AM Morning General Session with Keynote Presenter Arel Moodie
-
9:45 – 10:00 AM Break
-
10:00 – 11:15 AM Session B Workshops
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11:30 am – 12:00 pm General Session featuring California Community College Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley
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12:00 – 1:15 PM Networking Lunch
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1:15 - 1:30 PM Break
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1:30 – 2:45 PM Session C Workshops
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2:45 – 3:00 PM Break
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3:00 – 4:00 PM Closing Session featuring student performances
Hotel Information
The conference is being held at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles
Sleeping Rooms are $149 per night. Deadline to make room reservations at this rate is September 24, 2017.
Student Scholarships
Who is the most valuable person (MVP) in your college and career success? You are!
California College Pathways is seeking foster youth scholars to inform and lead the effort to create more college and career pathways for foster youth. If you have ideas and experiences that will help more foster youth turn their dreams into degrees, then join us for the 2017 Blueprint for Success Conference.
Don’t hesitate or wait! Fill out an application to attend today. If selected, you will:
- Have had experience in the foster care system
- Be current college students
- Be currently living in California
- Be at least 18 years old as of the date of the event
- Be available and willing to attend both the pre-conference leadership training and the full conference from noon on October 27 through Tuesday, October 29 at 3:30
- Be nominated by their campus-based support program.
Scholars selected to attend will participate in a special leaders’ training session starting the evening prior to the conference. Scholars will receive training on strategic sharing, networking skills, background information on foster care policy issues and education opportunities, and an epic opportunity to mix it up with new friends!
On the day of the conference, Scholars will participate in professional workshops focused on the college and career success of foster youth. Each workshop will provide useful information that may assist you with your college and career goals, as well as provide an opportunity for you to share your insight and expertise.
Youth Conference Schedule
Sunday, October 15th
Application Process
Eligibility – To qualify you must have had some experience with being in foster care and be currently living in California. Priority will be given to current college students. Youth must be available to attend both the conference and pre-conference session.
To Apply – The application period is now closed
Registration Cost – Youth who are selected attend free! Your hotel will also be covered, along with approved travel expenses.
Registration
Regular rate – $200
For questions or more information about the 2017 Blueprint for Success Conference, please email [email protected]
Registration closes on October 11, 2017. There will not be onsite registration.
Cancellation Policy
Registration fees will be refunded in full if cancellation is made before October 6, 2017. No refund will be available for cancellations made after October 6, 2017. Refunds will be made by check after the conference has concluded.
FAQ
No. We will have some snacks available during conference check-in and we will have light appetizers at the Welcome Reception.
No. There is only one flat free for registration whether you attend one day or both.
Registration fees will be refunded in full if cancellation is made before October 6, 2017. No refund will be available for cancellations made after October 6, 2017. Refunds will be made by check after the conference has concluded.
Registration closes on October 11, 2017. There will not be onsite registration.
If you want to use a purchase order, please choose pay by check when you register. Email us the information about the purchase order and we can produce an invoice if needed.
Students are more than welcome to attend the event. There is a Student Only portion of the event that starts Sunday night and continues Monday morning before the main event.
There are a limited number of scholarships available. The application can be found under the “Student Scholarship” tab of this website.
Students may also attend by paying the general registration fee.
Day Use Self Parking is $14 per day Discounted Overnight Valet Parking is $23 per day
Registration fees are $200 per person.
Register Early! If you register by September 1, 2017 the fee is $160 per person.
When you go to the registration link you can choose to pay by credit card or check. If you want to use a purchase order, please choose pay by check. Email us the information about the purchase order and we can produce an invoice if needed.