Patricia Newell is the Managing Director for the Phasing Up Scholars Program. The Phasing Up Scholars Program at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC works towards easing the transition for youth who have aged out of foster care. The program provides support around their unique needs and challenges to help them persist through college. In this interview, Jy'Shawn O'Neal discussed with her the challenges that foster youth face, the services the program provides, and recommendations for those working with the population.
National Foster Youth Initiative Website: https://www.nfyi.org/issues/education/
Unrau, Y. A., Font, S. A., & Rawls, G. (2012). Readiness for college engagement among students who have aged out of foster care. Children and Youth Services Review, 34(1), 76-83. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.09.002
Kirk, R., & Day, A. (2011). Increasing college access for youth aging out of foster care: Evaluation of a summer camp program for foster youth transitioning from high school to college. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(7), 1173-1180. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.02.018