Academic Success Program
Since 1981 we have been helping foster teens attend and succeed in college and specialized training programs, moving them from Foster Care to Success.
Our Academic Success Program (ASP) connects college students with personal coaches; dedicated volunteers who take an active interest in their lives and their education. The truth is college-bound foster youth are uniquely disadvantaged. Not only are many the first in their families to graduate from high school and start college, but their history of frequent moves and attending multiple schools may leave them ill-prepared for the rigors of college-level work. Coaches help freshmen get off to a good start, reducing their sense of being alone and overwhelmed in a new environment and helping them to navigate college bureaucracy. Coaches also help struggling students, working with them on study skills and time management, and encouraging them to use on-campus academic supports. Thanks to cell phones, text messaging, Facebook and email, ASP coaches and students can communicate in whatever way they find most convenient and helpful.
Become an ASP Coach
Click here to view the first webinar and apply to be an ASP coach!
Coaches receive training that includes not only college success strategies but foster care specific information as well. Coaches are never expected to act as social workers or therapists; however, our students’ lives can be complicated and academic support may veer into other realms. ASP staff provides coaches with the ongoing training and assistance that enables them to confidently support our students. Coaches also connect with and support each other on monthly conference calls as well as on our Facebook page.
Coaches don’t need to be an expert in any particular field; rather, they just need to like young adults and understand that these are very special students who are growing up and trying their best to succeed in college without consistent support from family members. We match coaches with 3-4 students because some will communicate with enthusiastic regularity while getting more than a reluctant “yeah” may be like pulling teeth for others. It may be two steps forward and one step back, but consistent outreach to students ALWAYS helps whether we know it at the time or not.
Senior Year Coaching (SYC)
Each year ASP recruits certified coaches and Human Resources specialists to work with graduating seniors. SYC is a one-on-one match; starting in the fall coaches help participants begin the transition from college student to young professional. Our students must hit the ground running after graduation; few have a home to head back to while they look for work so SYC coaches help them position themselves to be realistic, competitive and ready for life after college.
ASP needs volunteers who can be matched with students both in the fall and in the spring. We have a special need for male coaches as well as for people of color.
What’s It Take?
ASP coaches:
* must be over the age of 25
* make a two semester commitment to the program
* pass a background check
* are matched with 3-4 students, either incoming freshmen or those whom we have determined to be at risk of failing or dropping out of college
* communicate with students at least once a week via telephone calls, text messaging and email
* watch three training webinars which can be viewed at the coach’s convenience, and participate in short monthly support calls
* complete a brief online assessment bi-monthly and a longer program evaluation survey at the end of each semester
Getting Started
The Academic Success Program (ASP) accepts applications June 15 – July 31 annually . The screening and training process takes approximately four weeks. Coaches are matched with students and begin working together between August 15th – October 15th depending on students’ schedules.
If you are would like to be considered for the Senior Year Coaching Initiative please send your resume to Lynn Davis, to learn how your organization can participate. She will contact you immediately to further discuss the program.
For questions about ASP coaching, please contact the Academic Success Program Team.
