URGENT UPDATE: Ohio REACH is transforming the higher education landscape for former foster youth, enabling them to pursue academic success more effectively than ever before. The initiative, which currently supports nearly 400 students across 57 colleges and universities, is gaining momentum as it addresses significant barriers faced by these young individuals.
Former foster youth like Brooke Winstead are the faces of this change. After aging out of the foster system, Winstead not only enrolled at the University of Cincinnati but also graduated, attributing her success to the critical support provided by Ohio REACH. “Not having parents made me more of a hungry person to go after my goals,” she stated, reflecting the determination and resilience of many foster youth.
As of now, Ohio REACH is actively improving retention and success rates for foster care-connected students, according to Susan Ballard, the programs director at the Ohio Children’s Alliance. This progress comes at a crucial time, as the number of children entering foster care nationwide remains alarming, with reports indicating over 300,000 each year.
To further bolster this support, Ohio REACH has launched an emergency fund fundraiser aimed at covering unexpected expenses such as housing and transportation. These financial burdens can derail the academic journeys of foster care alumni, making this initiative vital for their continued success.
Compounding the challenges, the University of Cincinnati has released new research highlighting the pressing need for more foster homes. Assistant professor Catelyn Smeyne underscores the urgency of addressing the nationwide shortage and improving the training for current caregivers. “Figuring out how to do that through policy, regulations, better research, better training and better supports…is urgent,” Smeyne noted, emphasizing the systemic changes needed in the foster care system.
Ohio REACH’s comprehensive approach not only supports individual students but also seeks to tackle the overarching challenges faced by the foster care community. By refining the existing support network, the initiative aims to ensure that more foster youth can confidently transition to higher education and beyond.
As Ohio REACH continues to expand its services, the hope is that its impact will resonate across the state and beyond, empowering a generation of foster youth to achieve their academic dreams. The program’s strategic focus on retention and comprehensive support could become a cornerstone for future initiatives aimed at fostering success among these young adults.
Stay tuned for further updates as Ohio REACH evolves and more foster youth embark on their educational journeys, supported by this vital program.
