LEGISLATIVE BRIEF
THE BEXAR COUNTY FOSTERING EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS PROJECT An initiative to increase the number of students with a history of foster care who enroll in and graduate from college, while simultaneously increasing the number of children in foster care who know that college is expected and achievable and influencing practice and policy across Texas and the United States through groundbreaking research. FUNDING REQUEST $1.75M per year; $3.5M per biennium
Overview The Bexar County Fostering Educational Success (BCFES) Project works to improve college enrollment, retention and graduation rates for students with a history of foster care. The project also focuses on expanding awareness that college is achievable among those still in foster care, while ensuring they are academically and emotionally prepared for their educational journey. The project provides comprehensive support services and innovative programming for students with a history of foster care who are enrolled at UTSA, Texas A&M San Antonio and the Alamo Colleges. In addition, the project provides innovative pre-college programming to youth still in foster care. The model is based on a trauma-informed, strategic framework that incorporates evidence of best practices, coaching and holistic and emergency financial support to meet the unique needs of students. The project is conducting groundbreaking research on the educational support pipeline, from high school through college graduation. The scope and scale of this system is critical to understanding the project’s impact and how our model may be replicated elsewhere. This project brings together partners across child welfare, the Children’s Court, independent school districts, Child Protective Services and colleges and universities in Bexar County. UTSA serves as the fiduciary agent and administrator to ensure the program’s success.
The Challenge While more than 70% of youth in foster care aspire to go to college, only 33% enroll in a two or four-year institution, and only 3% will graduate. A college degree impacts lifetime earnings and employment and leads to better physical health, more civic engagement and less reliance on public assistance. A degree also has the potential to break the intergenerational cycle of child abuse, neglect and involvement with the foster care system.
For More Information Jason Hassay UTSA Government Relations o: 210.458.5102 m: 512.413.9598 jason.hassay@utsa.edu Albert Carrisalez UTSA Government Relations o: 210.458.5138 m: 210.452.7557 albert.carrisalez@utsa.edu Updated October 22, 2024