Readiness, Access, Preparation, and Support for Foster Care Alumni in Higher Education: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

ABSTRACTResearch has shown that foster care alumni have poor educational outcomes and many do not enroll and/or graduate from a postsecondary institution. Many factors have been shown to promote and hinder a youth’s success in higher education and several programs and policies have been developed to address these issues. A literature review was conducted to identify and evaluate publications related to foster care alumni and higher education. A total of 51 scholarly reports and publications related to foster care alumni and higher education were reviewed, and the following three overarching themes emerged following the review: (1) college readiness, access, preparation, and support; (2) postsecondary programs and support for foster care alumni; and (3) outcomes and experiences of foster care alumni in higher education. This article reports on the first two themes, which included 22 articles/reports. Implications for social work and child welfare practice, future research, and policy are discussed.