ACC Sponsors Conference to Help Colleges Better Serve Foster Youth

The Austin Community College District is sponsoring a statewide conference aimed at helping colleges better serve youth aging out of foster care. Texas Reach: Embracing Higher Education for Foster Youth will be May 26-27 at Texas State University-San Marcos. The event will focus on increasing support for foster care alumni in order to encourage their pursuit of higher education.

“ACC has a strong program to assist youth coming out of the foster care system,” says Dr. Kathleen Christensen, vice president of student support and success systems. “We see firsthand the benefits of providing extra support. Without it, most foster care alumni don’t go on to college – and that’s something we must change.”

According to Casey Family Programs, approximately 1,400 children age out of the foster care system each year in Texas. Up to 70 percent of Texas foster youth do not graduate from high school, and 90 percent do not attempt college. Of those who do, only 3 percent graduate.

The conference will focus on sharing best practices, providing information about state and national resources for foster youth, and increasing the number of foster support programs at Texas colleges and universities. ACC hopes to make the conference an annual event.

About 150 people are registered, including representatives from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, universities, community colleges, and community partners. Foster care youth and college graduates are scheduled to speak.

The conference runs noon to 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 27, at Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos.

In addition to ACC, Texas Reach 2010 sponsors include the Austin Community Foundation, Casey Family Programs, Foster Care Alumni of America, Rodenfels Family Foundation, Sam Houston State University, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Pioneer Foundation, Texas State University Division of Student Affairs, and Texas State University School of Social Work.

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