Foster Youth Program (PATH Scholars) Annual Report 2020-2021

I. Mission Statement

PATH Scholars, in conjunction with the campus Foster Youth Committee, is dedicated to the higher educational needs of former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth. We will enhance access to the California State University, Chico community through collaborative efforts with other college network and community partners. For those identified as former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth, we will develop stability by acting as a liaison with campus and community resources. Our goal is to cultivate successful, proficient, and self-aware citizens in pursuit of their degree and beyond.

Department Goals (Last reviewed July 2021)

• Inform and educate the campus community about this population. (Division goal 1; University strategic priorities 1, 2, 4, 8)
• Provide leadership and networking opportunities through campus and community collaboration. (Division goals 1, 2, 3; University strategic priorities 1, 4, 7, 8)
• Increase access, retention and graduation rates for this population. (Division goals 1, 2, 3; University strategic priorities 1, 4, 8)

II. Departmental Accomplishments

• Received $50,000 from California College Pathways (CCC) this academic year to support students with emergency funds, social activities and to fund unpaid internships or volunteer experiences related to their major. The latter component relieves students of working a job in addition to an unpaid internship often required by their major/academic program.
• Successfully developed virtual New Student Orientation and welcome activities for new and returning students.
• Received a special $1,500 donation from campus staff during Annual Donation Drive for welcome packages and other student needs
• Two MSW Interns, one Title IV-E/Child Welfare and one partnered with EOP & new program, Adelante!
• Received Burton Book Fund Textbook grant ($1,600) managed via CSE
• Provided a few, safe in-person activities, such as going to the Drive-In movie to maintain connection and student engagement.
• Secured new partnership with Meal Nation, part of Foster Nation, which supports Guardian Scholars programs across the state to give students a free meal, delivered directly to them, for 30 days.
• Students and staff advocated and expressed support in two virtual Senate Budget Hearings for the funding included in the Governor’s budget proposal to provide current and former foster youth with supplemental Cal-Grant awards. Specifically, the proposal would allocate $20 million annually to enable current and former foster youth to receive an additional $6000 each year for non-tuition costs.
• Launched “Support Squad” offer support to approx. 15 students that are parenting. This provided a space to vent, share and learn from their PATH Scholar peers.
• Kicked off National Foster Care Month (May) with a student panel presentation for the last Conversations on Diversity and Inclusion (CODI) hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Highlights

• $50,000 grant from CCC to support student success and retention: California College Pathways provided this grant to PATH Scholars to support students with emergency funds, social activities and to fund unpaid internships or volunteer experiences related to their major. The latter component relieves students of working a job in addition to an unpaid internship often required by their major/academic program. It also allowed the program to hire a Masters in Social Work intern to help with process implementation. The goal of these supports is to assist with retention and to ultimately reach graduation.
• Partnership with Meal Nation: New partnership was established with Meal Nation this academic year to address food insecurity with our student population that experienced the foster care system. Students were able to access this resource by easily applying via text message. Once verified by the PATH Scholars Program Coordinator, students received a free meal every day for 30 days. Meals came from local restaurants that utilize Doordash, with a strong focus on healthy foods, which normalizes the experience. This reduces stigma typically connected to accessing free meals at a food bank, for example.

Diversity Efforts

• Participated in Student Affairs Diversity Committee to establish intentional diversity goals specifically for PATH Scholars.
• Participated in Diversity Training and Programming workgroup to ensure that diversity is encased within staff/faculty and student campus trainings as well as student programming.
• Presented to several foster youth (from foster care agencies and schools throughout the state) in collaboration with Campus Special Tours.
• Continued regular events with campus partners (Butte College and Shasta College) to strengthen transfer pipeline.
• Services continue to be offered to older and re-entry students with a foster care background. There has been an increase in this student population seeking additional services as active PATH Scholars participants.

III. Changes In Policies And Procedures

• Due to pandemic most services and programming continued in a virtual modality.

IV. Resources Summary

Resource Allocation

FYP General Fund Budget Allocation 20/21 $117,680.00
(No rollover from 19/20)
Work Study Allocation 20/21 (FYP only)  $0
Total Allocation $117,680.00
Annual Expense (GF) $(115,768.45)
FYP General Fund Balance $1,911.55

Note: Professional staff salaries included within the EOP General Fund allocation.

Human Resources

N/A

Facilities/Equipment

Since Covid-19 required a 100% virtual learning environment for this entire academic year, a physical location was not an issue. However, the PATH Scholars Center continues to be a shared space with the Dream Center, which is not conducive to the goals and priorities of both programs. As repopulation is planned for next academic year, this will be very difficult with physical distancing guidelines in an already small, shared space, further limiting student access to crucial services.

V. Program Assessment Of Past Year

Program Objectives for 2020-2021:

1. Continue to effectively support students in this new, virtual learning environment. Met – Program staff developed a virtual New Student Orientation and welcome activities for new and returning students. Individual meeting sessions as well as workshops and Zoom groups were continued to stay connected with students and keep them engaged.
2. Strengthen collaboration with Basic Needs to ensure housing and food security of our students. Met/Ongoing – Met regularly with Basic Needs program staff, and coordinated the PATH Scholars Emergency grant to be administered through the Basic Needs process. Also made an early connection for new incoming students to Basic Needs to ensure their transition to Chico State with affordable housing and basic needs are being met.
3. Conduct intentional outreach efforts to current students verified during admissions and invite to apply to PATH Scholars. Met/Ongoing – Regular outreach (phone calls, emails and texts) was made to students to remind them about the program and services for which they are eligible. This will continue as a standard practice.

Ongoing Assessment Efforts

Note: *Fall 2018: Decrease in #’s due to Camp Fire/campus closure.
*Spring 2020: Incomplete data due to COVID-19 campus closure.
*Fall 2020 & Spring 2021 Academic year: Data not collected due to 100% virtual learning setting/PATH Scholars was closed.

Student Learning Outcomes

Note: A Student Learning Outcomes survey was sent out at the end of the academic year to 68 students (Tier II/active). Twenty-seven students completed the survey (40% completion rate). The results of that survey inform the following:

SLO #1 – As a result of participating in the PATH Scholars Program, students will increase in their academic self-confidence and networking skills.

• As a result of attending a PATH Scholars New Student Orientation and/or Welcome Reception (16 respondents), 81% of respondents stated that it was Extremely Helpful or Very Helpful to their overall success.
• As a result of meeting with the PATH Scholars Academic Advising liaison to ensure being on track with courses and graduation plans (12 respondents), 83% of respondents stated that it was Extremely Helpful or Very Helpful to their overall success.
• As a result of attending a Social Activity (19 respondents), 89% of respondents stated that it was Extremely Helpful or Very Helpful to their overall success.
• As a result of historical “Networking” opportunities not being offered this academic year, we were not able to assess this area.

SLO #2 – As a result of participating in the PATH Scholars Program, students will develop and improve independent living skills, reducing their emotional stress and giving them more time to focus on academic goals.

• As a result of attending PATH Scholars Independent Living Skills Workshops (14 respondents), 79% of respondents stated that it was Extremely Helpful or Very Helpful to their overall success.
• As a result of working on Independent Living Skills during individual meetings with Program Staff (18 respondents), 81% of respondents stated that it made a Significant Impact or Moderate Impact to their overall success.
• As a result of learning and practicing healthy coping skills to manage stress during individual meetings with the Program Staff (20 respondents), 90% of respondents stated that it made a Significant Impact or Moderate Impact to their overall success.
• As a result of participating in PATH Scholars (24 respondents), 17% of respondents stated that it Completely assisted in overcoming challenges, 42% of respondents stated that it Considerably assisted in overcoming challenges and 22% of respondents stated that it Moderately assisted in overcoming challenges. PATH Scholars made a positive impact for 100% of respondents, even if it made a Slight impact for only 12% of respondents.

ANALYSIS

• Overall, students continue to utilize PATH Scholars and the resources available to them to reach their academic goals. According to the Student Learning Outcome survey distributed after the end of this academic year, 96% of the respondents were Very Satisfied or Moderately Satisfied with their PATH Scholars experience. One survey participant stated, “This is family! PATH Scholars is so essential for me, from reminders to see the career center or other campus resources to having a conversation with my professor(s), to receiving aid. My experience at Chico State would have been SO much more difficult without PATH Scholars. PATH is really a blessing I didn't know I needed. I was told about so many events, programs, and resources that I didn't know about before that greatly impacted my growth and success as a student and adult. It would be a HUGE disservice to the students if PATH Scholars no longer existed, especially for us 1st-generation students who don't have other mentors, family, etc. for tips, advice, and support about the college experience.” This response demonstrates the need for programs such as PATH Scholars for students with very unique needs.
• The Covid-19 pandemic and virtual learning played a major role in the decrease of student participants, low student engagement, learning difficulties and increase in mental health issues. According to the Student Learning Outcome survey, 50% of respondents noted the pandemic, social isolation or online learning as their number one challenge over this past year. Furthermore, many students decided to defer their enrollment due to the virtual learning environment. This can also be evidenced by a much smaller number of first-time freshmen beginning their college journey than previous years.
• The transition to offering all program services in a 100% online format was only possible because of the PATH Scholars program staff. The three student staff interns made a huge impact, and having two professional staff on the team was critical during a very challenging year.
• Additionally, two professional staff which permanently comprises the PATH Scholars team, has tremendously helped with providing more comprehensive and thorough support to students. This single variable significantly bolstered our retention rates this academic year to 96% which is the highest it has been since program inception in 2014.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES FOR 2020-2021

1. Continue to effectively support students in transitioning to back in person.
2. Implement diversity goals.
3. Continue to advocate for a dedicated space solely for PATH Scholars.