Hooray for HEMI

For Former Foster Children, Mentors Make the Difference
University of Cincinnati Leans on Federal, Private Support to Lead Ohio's First Academic Assistance Program for Foster Youth 

Press Release, June 7, 2012

CINCINNATI-- Mariah Maxwell has seen too much in her 20 years -- starting from the moment when, at age 10, she witnessed her mother hitting her older sister in the face with a two-by-four. The youngest child of six was placed immediately in foster care through the Hamilton County Department of Jobs and Family Services (JFS). 

"I bounced around a lot after that," Mariah says; in fact, over the next eight years, Mariah went to four different high schools before graduating from Walnut Hills High School in 2010. Her often unstable living situation didn't break her stride, however. She was determined to graduate high school and move on to the University of Cincinnati to study criminal justice and psychology. 

"I want to understand why criminals do what they do. I go back to the experience with my mother and wonder what was clouding her judgment in that moment she hit my sister," Mariah notes. 

The odds were stacked against her. Three years ago, a mere 45 out of 150 students in the Hamilton County foster care program graduated from high school, and only three went on to higher education. And the low graduation rate was just one obstacle facing foster care youth nationally; according to a 2004 Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care report: 

•   25 percent are incarcerated within the first two years;

•   20 percent become homeless;

•   Foster youth have disproportionately high rates of early pregnancy, are more prone to sexual and physical victimization, mental illness and substance abuse.

Overcoming the Odds

Mariah and the approximately 850 foster children in Hamilton County JFS care could face any number of these scenarios. But that was before the Higher Education Mentoring Initiative (HEMI) was launched -- and drastically changed the opportunities available to young adult foster children.

HEMI's goal is simple: prepare foster children for post-secondary education. A core program of the University of Cincinnati's Partners for Achieving School Success (PASS), it is also a partnership among Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Hartmann, Hamilton County JFS, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, and Great Oaks Vocational School.

The initiative recruits, trains and supports a network of adult mentors to establish long-term, positive relationships with foster care youth. It is the first program of its kind in Ohio, and has become a state- and nation-wide model for mentoring foster youth pursuing higher education.

"Every child has a right to education, but not every child has the same opportunity," explains Annie Schellinger, HEMI program coordinator. "Foster care children, in particular, face a daunting set of challenges to obtaining higher education." 

While there are some financial options available -- such as Federal Pell grants, Educational Training Vouchers and scholarships -- Annie notes that financial assistance isn't the only resource foster children need to move on to college. "There isn't a system in place to tell a student, 'It's time to take the ACT. Here's how to apply for on-campus housing or scholarships. This is how to be successful in college.'" 

The HEMI program works to combat such obstacles. During their junior year in high school, foster youth are invited by Hamilton County JFS case workers to participate in HEMI. Those who are interested are matched with a volunteer, adult mentor who has been specially trained by HEMI administrators, and has made a six-year commitment to the HEMI program. 

UC, too, makes a commitment to the students. It costs the university approximately $16,000 per student, per year to provide the level of mentoring, guidance and resources required to successfully graduate each foster child from high school. Stephanie Cappel, director of development for the PASS program, says several initial donations to the program through the university's billion-dollar Proudly Cincinnati fundraising campaign helped the program get its start. 

"Even with continued support of HCJFS through federal Chaffe funds, corporate and private donors have made all the difference for HEMI's ability to remain afloat over the last three years," says Cappel, citing supporters like Procter & Gamble, which committed an initial $20,000 to HEMI through KnowledgeWorks and the Strive Partnership. "We've done all we can to stretch initial donations, but we desperately need to replenish them to meet this region's increasing need." 

Starting to See Results

So far, 48 students have participated in HEMI, and all have graduated from high school and enrolled in post-secondary education. Compare those rates to national statistics from a Casey Foundation Study, which found only 13 percent of foster care youth enroll in higher education. 

Mariah is one of the HEMI graduates who chose to attend UC, partially to the credit of her mentor, Kate, who introduced her to campus life during Mariah's senior year in high school. 

"She helped me with tons of applications, helped me figure out how to pay for my books, schedule my classes and get acclimated to the campus," recalls Mariah. She also filled another, perhaps greater role: friend. "We talk at least twice a week. She's like having a really close friend." 

Mariah has flourished at UC, where she maintains a strong GPA -- she's made the dean's list four out of her six quarters at UC, and already qualifies as a college junior -- while working 20 hours per week. But that's not to say her path has been without pitfalls. 

"We can help them graduate from high school and become part of the UC family, but then we need to help them assimilate to college life," says Annie. "Foster children have had social workers since childhood, but there's no one to help them in adulthood." 

Taking HEMI to the Next Level

Founded in June 2011 by a grant from the Social Innovation Fund, the UC Degrees program expands upon HEMI by supporting the needs of current or former foster youth who are enrolled at UC. Like HEMI, UC Degrees is another first: the university is the first in Ohio to dedicate a full-time staff position to supporting on-campus former foster youth. 

Meghann McCabe is the program specialist who oversees UC Degrees. Although the program received some initial financial support from the Social Innovation Fund grant, UC Degrees -- like HEMI -- is still significantly under-funded. Meghann acknowledges the needs of former foster youth often require she go above and beyond her job description. She's babysat, navigated financial aid and, in Mariah's case, helped negotiate the often tricky world of off-campus housing by serving as a reference to eliminate the need for a co-signer on an apartment lease. 

"But," she explains, "it is worth it. The commitment to these students is so great because their needs are so great." 

 

In addition to struggling against a tight budget, Meghann acknowledges there are other challenges as well. Qualifying students can be identified through the information they provided on their FAFSA forms, but students often only reach out to the UC Degrees office in times of crisis. 

Bringing it Full Circle

To help formulate a more proactive strategy for attracting program participants, Meghann has turned frequently to Jeremy Collier, a senior at UC who was himself a foster child. A ward of the foster care system from age 10, Jeremy emancipated at age 18 after living in three foster homes. Forced to move back in with his biological father, a drug addict, Jeremy knew college was where he would find his place. 

"I always wanted to go to college," Jeremy says, noting, "I knew when I was in high school that I wanted to help other foster youth, because of my situation." 

Still, the road wasn't easy. He transferred to UC from a private college at the start of his sophomore year, after a portion of his scholarship funding was cut. He was living out of his car when his girlfriend's family -- having learned of his circumstances -- took him in. 

Having a stable living situation lessened the strain of going to school and working up to 50 hours per week to fund his education. "It's the best thing that could've ever happened," Jeremy says. 

As a result, Jeremy will graduate this spring with a degree in business finance, and an invitation to join the National Adoption Coalition for a foster youth internship this summer in Washington, D.C. He is also using his personal experiences to help design programs on UC's campus, basing many of his recommendations on the successes and road blocks he encountered along the way. 

"When you're just becoming independent, you want to feel independent. You don't want to have to go to someone for help, which you were forced to take when you were in foster care," Jeremy explains. "It's hard to know what support you need. But there are a few basics." 

Those "basics" include assistance with complicated paperwork -- like stable housing. Emancipated youths don't have a home to go to during spring, summer and winter breaks, and the cost to stay on campus can be prohibitive. 

"This is a need we've identified and are working very hard to meet," notes Meghann, who is basing recommendations to UC's housing department on both Mariah and Jeremy's feedback. "But change doesn't happen overnight." 

Changing Lives Against the Odds

Although challenges still face the HEMI and UC Degrees programs, and the students that participate in them, one thing is very certain: the work UC is doing through these two programs is changing lives for both current and former foster youths, providing access to opportunities they might not have had otherwise. 

Mariah uses herself as an example. "I really hadn't considered college before joining HEMI," she says. "But Kate really helped change my mind. If it wasn't for the HEMI program, I wouldn't be in college." 

Adds Jeremy of the UC Degrees program, "Having support in any way is life-saving. You have to be willing to ask for help, and some foster youths are afraid to ask. Now it's one of my goals to establish this community of former foster kids, so when they're finally able to ask for help, it's there for them."

About the University of Cincinnati 

Ranked by the National Science Foundation among the top 25 public research universities in the United States, the University of Cincinnati is the region's largest employer, with a diverse student population of more than 42,000. UC's faculty has distinguished themselves worldwide for their creative teaching and research, including members of the National Academy of Science, Institute of Medicine and winners of Tony, Grammy and Pulitzer Prizes. The University's 14 Colleges set the foundation for a university dedicated to undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, experience-based learning, and research. U.S. News & World Report has described UC as one of 15 "up and coming" universities and Forbes Magazine named UC one of the world's most beautiful campuses. 

About the University of Cincinnati Foundation

The University of Cincinnati Foundation is leading Proudly Cincinnati: Tower of Strength, Rock of Truth, the University's most ambitious campaign in history, supporting the vision for UC to be the finest public research university in the United States. Proudly Cincinnati's goal is to raise $1 billion by 2013. To date, more than $903 million has been raised for scholarships, innovative teaching and groundbreaking research. For more information about the Proudly Cincinnati campaign, visit www.uc.edu/foundation . 

About the Partner for Achieving School Success (PASS)

Partner for Achieving School Success (PASS), a center in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services at the University of Cincinnati, provides university-community partnerships and outreach programs that promote and enhance positive educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged students. 

SOURCE: University of Cincinnati Foundation