Embark Georgia Leadership Conference
May 24-26, 2021 Virtual Conference
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Welcome
to the 2021 Embark Georgia Virtual Leadership Conference! Whether you serve as a case manager, homeless and foster care liaison, a postsecondary campus professional, a volunteer, or staff at a private agency, we know that will find the 2021 Embark Georgia Leadership Conference a valuable opportunity to learn and make connections to help you in that role. We hope that you are as excited as we are for the slate of presenters and activities that are planned for the 2021 conference – highlighted by Alexis and Justin Black, the authors of Redefining Normal, who will share their perspective on what it takes to ensure the success of every young person as they pursue a postsecondary credential. We recognize that you are busy with the day to day work of supporting young people, so we have adapted the conference format to allow for engagement but also to continue your everyday routine. To support this balance, this year’s conference will take place in the morning and each day will have a different topical focus. Day 1 will have a Georgia focus, Day 2 will have a national focus and Day 3 will have a research/best practices focus. We think that these three areas allow for interaction with local partners as well as connection to the groundbreaking work that is taking place in other places across the country. Each morning will feature an opening session, a breakout session (11 breakouts between all 3 days), a PSA spotlighting a Georgia organization that is doing impressive work supporting this group of students, and then close with a reflection. Justin and Alexis will finish out the conference on Day 3 with our closing keynote. Embark Georgia, a statewide network of support for young people who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness and are enrolled or interested in attending any postsecondary educational institution in Georgia, is hosted at the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia. Since 1982, the Fanning Institute has worked throughout Georgia to strengthen communities and organizations through leadership development, training, and education. As a unit of the Office of Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia, the Fanning Institute is committed to developing leaders of all ages, in every community, from all walks of life. This conference represents one way the Fanning Institute is fulfilling its leadership development mission. We hope this conference will be a meaningful experience for each of you. Welcome to the 2021 Embark Georgia Leadership Conference! David Meyers & Lori Tiller
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Embark Georgia 2021 Leadership Conference
Conference Schedule MONDAY, May 24 8:45 AM
Login
9:00 AM
Welcome
9:15 AM
Transition to Breakout Sessions
9:20 AM
Georgia Campus Support Programs: When it all comes together, then what?
10:20 AM
Break
10:30 AM
Housing Opportunities: Georgia ETV Program: GaDOE Updates: the KSU “living learning Aid for Foster Policies, Best Practices community” model Students and Effective Supports During a Global Pandemic
Daily PSA - EmpowerMEnt
10:45 AM
Daily Reflection - Dr. Joyce Jones, Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, University System of Georgia
11:15 AM
Concluding Remarks
TUESDAY, May 25 8:45 AM
Login
9:00 AM
Welcome
9:05 AM 9:15 AM 9:20 AM
Daily PSA - BestFit Transition to Breakout Sessions Building campus Support Programs and Networks Perspectives from Michigan and Pennsylvania
College Students Experiencing Homelessness: Practice, and Police Updates from the National Perspective
10:20 AM
Break
10:30 AM
Daily Reflection - Foster Scholars
11:20 AM
Concluding Remarks
Higher Education and Students Experiencing Foster Care: A National Perspective on Policy and Advocacy
Redefining, Rethinking, Reflecting: Developing an Intentional Environment for Those Who’ve Experienced Trauma
WEDNESDAY, May 26 8:45 AM
Login
9:00 AM
Welcome
9:15 AM
Transition to Breakout Sessions
9:20 AM
The Experiences of Older Youth In Fostering Success Through & Aged Out of Foster Care During Coaching: Perspectives of Help COVID-19 Seeking Within a Coaching Relationship with Post-Secondary Students from Foster Care
10:20 AM
Break
10:30 AM
Promoting College Persistence for Students with Foster Care Backgrounds: The Role of Campus Support Programs
Daily PSA - Lydia’s Place
10:45 AM
Closing Keynote - Alexis & Justin Black
11:15 AM
Concluding Remarks 3
Session Descriptions MONDAY, MAY 24
TUESDAY, MAY 25
Breakout Sessions
Breakout Sessions
Georgia Campus Support Programs - When it all comes together, then what?
Building Campus Support Programs & Networks Perspectives from Michigan and Pennsylvania
Presenters: Jacqueline Awe, Jami Hall, Heather Williams, Nickkie Warrington & Evan Burnett
Presenters: Sarah Wasch & Karie Ward
9:20 AM – 10:20 AM
9:20 AM – 10:20 AM
This session will share highlights from three campus support programs across Georgia. Throughout both the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia, each campus has a Designated Point of Contact who is assigned to help support young people experiencing foster care and/or homelessness. Each of these programs received special projects funding through the past academic term and they will highlight how that funding helped their program and share additional best practices from their experiences.
Housing Opportunities: The KSU “living learning community” model Presenters: Marcy Stidum, Carrie Olsen & Mandy Gillis Within the KSU CARES’ ASCEND Program there is an option to reside in a Living Learning Village (LLV). The ASCEND LLV is an oncampus living option for KSU CARES students who were homeless and/or in foster care during their K-12 education. These students live together as a community so they can build stronger, hopefully life-long, relationships with students with similar life experiences. The LLV is in partnership with KSU Housing.
Georgia ETV Program: Aid for Foster Students Presenters: Candis L. Jones & Jason Bedgood The Georgia Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program utilizes state and federal funds to provide aid to eligible Georgia foster care students. Come learn about eligibility criteria and how we help guide our students to success in their education after high school. Also, many of our students will be utilizing resources provided by local Embark/Student Service Programs on each school campus.
GaDOE Updates: Policies, Best Practices & Effective Supports During a Global Pandemic Presenters: Eric McGhee, Melanie Barner & Whittney Mitchell As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, several policies and relief packages were passed to support students in care and students experiencing homelessness. This session will provide an overview of policy and funding updates from GaDOE as well as strategies to enhance identification, collaboration and support for students who have been disproportionately impacted.
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This session will highlight the work of two statewide networks focused on increasing postsecondary access and success for youth with experience in foster care. The presenters will introduce the theory of collective impact and share how the model can be used to enhance statewide organizing and campus-based support. An overview of the services available in Michigan and Pennsylvania and examples of successful policies and programs will be shared.
College Students Experiencing Homelessness: Practice and Police Updates from the National Perspective Presenters: Jillian Sitjar, Alleane Anderson & Barbara Duffield The COVID pandemic has highlighted many existing gaps and challenges for students experiencing homelessness in higher education. This session will share best practices with removing barriers (e.g. transition from high school and filling out the FAFSA), to identifying and supporting these students so they can succeed in higher education. This presentation will also provide federal policy updates, implementation, and strategies to get involved and make systemic and impactful change.
Higher Education & Students Experiencing Foster Care: A National Perspective on Policy & Advocacy Presenter: Jenny Pokempner In this session, we will review trends in higher education policy impacting youth with experience in foster care in the states and at the federal level. We will spotlight policies that support effective and innovative practices and explore opportunities for policy development and advocacy that are on the horizon.
Redefining, Rethinking, Reflecting: Developing an Intentional Enviornemnt for Those Who’ve Experienced Trauma Presenters: Justin & Alexis Black This workshop discusses strategies and techniques developed by foster care alumni, Justin and Alexis Black, as they combined the information they’ve learned from healthy foster parents, counselors, advocates, and ultimately their lived experience. By sharing their personal story of overcoming, they discuss the role of a foster parent and advocate and well as the necessary resources to surround themselves with in order to be a positive partner in the lives of the youth themselves.
Embark Georgia 2021 Leadership Conference
Session Descriptions WEDNESDAY, MAY 26 Breakout Sessions C 9:20 AM – 10:20 AM
The Experiences of Older Youth In & Aged Out of Foster Care During COVID-19 Presenters: Johanna Greeson & Sarah Wasch Youth aging out of foster care often experience countless hardships when transitioning from foster care to independence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these young adults are bearing a heavy burden. This session will share findings from a national survey study conducted in April 2020 of 281 young adults in and aged out of foster care. This study has made clear the work we must undertake to improve the health, safety, and well-being of this marginalized population, especially during times of disaster and hardship. Participants will be introduced to policy and practice recommendations that can have an immediate impact on the functioning of youth aging out of care, in addition to understanding how child welfare systems can better prepare young adults for crisis.
Fostering Success Through Coaching: Perspectives of Help Seeking Within a Coaching Relationship with Post- Secondary Students from Foster Care Presenter: Dr. Jamie L. Bennett This session will provide an overview of findings from a study that examined the impact of coaching on help-seeking behaviors among college students from foster care. Participants will learn about findings, implications, and practice recommendations related to coaching practice and help-seeking among students from foster care.
Promoting College Persistence for Students with Foster Care Backgrounds: The Role of Campus Support Programs Presenters: Nathanael Okpych & Jennifer Geiger This session will present findings from two recent studies on campus-based support programs (CSPs) for college students with foster care backgrounds. The first study collected data from 81 CSP administrators representing 22 states, which provides a birds-eye overview of the features and services offered by the programs. The second study evaluated the role that CSPs in California colleges played in promoting first-year persistence among 401 participants of the CalYOUTH Study. We will conclude by discussing lessons learned and implications for future practice and research.
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Thank you to our supporters Thank you to all of the individuals, groups and organizations that support the work of Embark Georgia. In the last 18 months, your support has allowed us to: Provide emergency financial supports to more than 20 students at 10 postsecondary institutions Provide Coaches training to 25 postsecondary professionals Provide opportunities for sharing information among the Designated Points of Contact across the USG and TCSG systems Share critical information with those who are directly supporting students through the Embark Georgia website Design and deliver the first Embark Georgia Regional Coalition in Northwest Georgia, with a second regional coalition to come later this year. Provide opportunities for Designated Points of Contact across the USG and TCSG systems to share information with each other Update and enhance the Embark Georgia website This conference would not be possible without the contributions and efforts of many volunteers. We must thank members of our program committee, our sponsors, community planning partners, and the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach for all the support in planning and implementing the conference. In particular, we owe appreciation to the Education Leads Home Initiative of Schoolhouse Connection and AT&T for their financial support of the conference, and to AT&T and Communities 4 Children for their support of statewide emergency funds for students.
Thank you to our DPOCs A special thanks to all of the Embark Georgia Desiginated Points of Contact. We know that your support is always essential to the students on your campuses. We also know you went above and beyond over the last 18 months during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Embark Georgia 2021 Leadership Conference
UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership 706-542-1108 www.fanning.uga.edu #UGALeads #UGAServes
A unit of the Office of Public Service and Outreach University of Georgia 1240 S. Lumpkin Street Athens, GA 30602
Embark Georgia www.embarkgeorgia.org
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