In 2018, Penn State Greater Allegheny was one of six institutions selected to form a state-wide cohort that would receive technical support from the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice and Research at the University of Pennsylvania.
This support was designed to guide our work in developing evidence-based programming that improves the retention and graduation outcomes of foster youth on campus. This support was crucial in better understanding the needs of foster youth, and how we as a campus can foster internal and external partnerships to better support their needs.
Beyond the technical support received from the Field Center, our efforts have been greatly informed by Fostering Lions at University Park and Fostering Success Michigan a national model for campus-based support programs for foster youth. Based on the collective work of many leaders across campus, Fall 2019 marked the official launch of Penn State Greater Allegheny’s campus support program for students who have experience in foster care.