Two Columbus State students spoke to a U.S. Department of Education event, sharing their perspectives as former foster youth who made the jump to college.
Deanna Howell-Dawson and Nicole Chinn participated in the department's Foster Care Student Voices Session in Washington D.C. on May 25, giving their input as the department seeks new ways to help foster youth succeed. The department is seeking input as it implements the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which replaced the No Child Left Behind law in 2015.
"It was so empowering meeting and hearing other foster youth and alumni voices who also share my story. They impacted me by encouraging me to make it and succeed too," said Howell-Dawson.
Kimberly Rhyan, a former foster youth and Columbus State's director of Student Engagement and Leadership, also served on an alumni panel and shared advice about college and career advancement.
The Education Department also released the Foster Care Transition Toolkit. The Toolkit includes tips and resources intended to help foster youth access and navigate social, emotional, educational and skills barriers as they transition into adulthood. Download the Foster Care Transition Toolkit.
More than 350 Columbus State students are former foster youth, and Columbus State is becoming a national model for supporting them, according to Rhyan.
The college recently launched the Scholar Network, which provides a three-day conference, ongoing mentoring, monthly "lunch and learn" workshops, and other support. The project is funded by Ohio Reach, Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine and Columbus State's Student Success Innovation Fund.
Isabel Soto, of the department's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, thanked the Columbus State delegation for sharing their stories.
"Our work will benefit from the discussion the alumni had with the students yesterday and as a result of all they (Nicole and Deanna) shared with the department during the session," Soto said.
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