Youths with history of foster care discover pathway to college
The unprecedented efforts began last fall with the inception of the Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Pilot Project. One of the nation’s only programs of its kind, the countywide collaboration between UTSA, Texas A&M University–San Antonio, the Alamo Colleges District, Bexar County Children’s Court, Child Advocates San Antonio and Family Tapestry/The Children’s Shelter creates educational support resources for current and former foster care youths by enhancing programs and practices and developing targeted support to increase college access, enrollment, and retention and graduation rates.
“We identify gaps in exposure or knowledge that most college students learn from their parents and often take for granted,” said Airika Buford, the pilot’s director. “Our goal is to raise their awareness that college is a realistic goal, and increase their education achievement and life skills so they’re successful in college.”
