DOVER—For foster children, turning 18 is momentous. After years or even a lifetime in one or more foster homes, at the end of a childhood that often includes abuse, neglect, and instability, they suddenly face life on their own, as adults. Now, the state and Delaware State University have launched an initiative to give these young people a chance to make DSU their collegiate home.
- DSU president Dr. Harry Williams and Secretary Vivian Rapposelli of the state Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families sign the agreement giving youth aging out of foster care the opportunity to attend Delaware State.
Delaware State President Harry Williams and Vivian Rapposelli, secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, signed an agreement Tuesday that will offer a DSU education annually to two foster youths who have reached 18 and are “aging out” of the system.
Secretary Rapposelli called the partnership one of the most significant accomplishments during her tenure in the state’s effort to help youths who age out of foster care. “It’s a tremendous accomplishment, a tremendous partnership. This is a very vulnerable population, and during this transitional time in their lives, this is a critical point in determining whether they succeed or whether they fail.”
Under the partnership, the Division of Family Services (DFS) will identify two eligible foster youths each year that are interested in and academically eligible to attend DSU. DFS will assist them in the application process.
Youths in the program also will receive financial support from the state through educational training and housing vouchers, although that assistance is not guaranteed. If there is a shortfall in state funding, participating students will have to make up the difference in student loans or other financial aid.
DSU agreed to make year-round campus housing available to students in the program, resolving an issue that is often difficult for those who have aged out.
“You can face a lot of other questions and a lot of other decisions, but that’s the most fundamental of all,” said Senator Brian Bushweller (D-Dover/Central Kent), who calls the initiative an example of “smart people making good decisions to solve problems.”
The arrangement “gives them a little breathing room when it comes to housing, so they can save for future housing, and possibly even get a car,” said Rapposelli.
DSU president Dr. Harry Williams and Vivian Rapposelli, secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families discuss the initiative to offer youth aging out of foster care the opportunity to attend DSU:
DSU also will provide counseling support and help in obtaining financial aid—preferably grants and scholarships, which do not need to be repaid, instead of heavy student loans.
“That will provide [these students] the opportunity, when they graduate, not to have any debt,” said Williams.
Delaware currently has more than 700 children in foster care. Rapposelli says about 100 children each year age out of the system. In 2010, 94 foster children began life outside the care of the state. She says these children “face the same decisions and … obstacles” as anyone making the transition to adulthood, “but they do so very often do without the support of family, without resources, and without opportunities.” She also notes they may also reach that point in life with a history of trauma.
The first two students to take part in the program started at Delaware State last fall and are taking advantage of the new Inspire scholarship established by the state last year.
Williams believes the program can have an impact beyond the two students each year in the program. If children currently in foster care “can see students moving through the system, and graduating, and becoming productive citizens in this country, that’s going to help.”
Rapposelli notes that not all young people aging out of the system are “college ready,” but for those who are “it’s a tremendous opportunity” and one she hopes to duplicate elsewhere.
“It makes sense to take it to the next level,” said Rapposelli. “I’m sure there are other schools and other institutions that would be willing to do that as well.”
