About the Washington Passport Network
Improving Higher Education Outcomes for Students from Foster Care and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
The Washington Passport Network is a statewide collective impact initiative committed to supporting students from foster care, unaccompanied homeless youth, and the adult professionals they rely on.
- In the 2021-2022 academic year, 943 students were served through the Passport to Careers program.
- Since the inception of the program in 2008, 7,460 students have been served. (as of February 2023)
- In 2018, the Passport program expanded its definition of eligible students to include unaccompanied homeless youth, unaccompanied refugee minors, and young people in tribal foster care, in addition to young people experiencing state foster care.
- In the same year, the Passport program expanded to support eligible students pursuing job training through a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program, in addition to those attending a 2 or 4-year college.
- In 2021, 32 students participated in the Passport to Apprenticeship pathway, receiving support for enrolling in a registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship.
- The Washington Passport Network is a statewide collective impact initiative committed to supporting students from foster care, students experiencing unaccompanied homelessness, and the adult professionals they rely on. College Success Foundation provides capacity building to WPN members. The network has grown from 300 to over 700 members between 2018-2022.
Who We Are
WPN Members
If you are a professional working to support students from foster care, or those experiencing unaccompanied homelessness, in accessing, persisting, or completing post-secondary education or apprenticeships in Washington state, then we consider you a member of the Washington Passport Network.
Campus Champions
Currently, 45 post-secondary institutions participate in Passport to Careers. This means that: 1.) campus leadership has made serving Passport scholars effectively a campus-wide priority, 2.) single points of contact are designated for Passport scholars for both student support services and financial aid, and 3.) tailored support services are provided to Passport scholars. Find contact information for Passport to Careers campus champions here.
Passport to Careers (PTC)
Financial Aid and Direct Student Support
Passport to Careers (PTC) is Washington state’s publicly-funded scholarship and support program for students from foster care and those who have experienced unaccompanied homelessness. Through enhanced financial aid and tailored support services, PTC helps Passport scholars enroll, persist, and complete their post-secondary programs or apprenticeships.
Passport Scholars
Students who have experienced state, Federal, or tribal foster care in Washington after the age of 13 are eligible for Passport to Careers. Additionally, unaccompanied homeless youth are now eligible as of July 1, 2019. More detailed eligibility information for students can be found in this FAQ, in the 2021-22 PTC program manual, and on our resources page in the college section. Students who think they may be eligible should submit the PTC Consent Form for verification.
WPN Strategies
Technical Assistance
Our team of experts provides customized technical assistance to post-secondary institutions adopting and implementing Passport to Careers student support strategies on their campuses. Request technical assistance here.
Share Knowledge and Stories of Impact
We’re constantly scanning our network and the national landscape to identify effective student support practices, model policies, and relevant research. We facilitate regional and statewide professional development events for our members. We use our blog as a platform to share stories of impact to highlight the accomplishments of WPN members and the students they serve.
Facilitate Stakeholder Contribution and Leadership
In partnership with the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), our team convenes quarterly meetings of the Passport Leadership Team. The PLT is a 30-member advisory body representing schools, nonprofit, and state organizations from all areas of our state that advises WSAC on Passport to Careers policy and practice issues.
Regional Passport Groups
We provide planning and facilitative support to help empower regional groups around Washington. Led by members of local schools and non-profit organizations, regional groups promote a cross-sector, student-centered approach to regional wraparound service delivery for students from foster care and unaccompanied homeless youth through collaboration, service coordination, and intervention. Formerly called Regional Service Coordination Groups. Visit out events calendar for regional meeting dates.
Staff
Dawn Cypriano-McAferty
(she/her)
Assistant Director
Passport to Careers
Washington Student Achievement Council
Juliet Schindler
(she/her)
Director of Public Affairs & Strategic Partnerships
College Success Foundation
Donna Quach
(she/her)
Program Manager
Washington Passport Network
College Success Foundation
Nicole Fry
(she/her)
Program Coordinator
Passport to Careers
Washington Student Achievement Council
Osbaldo (Ozzy) Arroyo
(he/him)
Program Officer – Passport Coach
Central Washington University
College Success Foundation
Suneeta Eisenberg
(she/her)
Program Officer – Passport Coach
Skagit Valley College
College Success Foundation
Hillary Ryan
(she/her)
Senior Marketing & Strategic Communications Officer – Statewide Initiatives
College Success Foundation
Mustapha Samateh
(he/him)
Program Officer – Statewide Initiatives
College Success Foundation
Melissa Raap
(she/her)
PLT Co-chair
University of Washington
Whitney Carlson
(she/her)
PLT Co-chair and SETuP Program
Catholic Charities
Leadership and Partnerships
College Success Foundation is committed to providing supports and scholarships to inspire underserved, low-income students to finish high school, graduate from college, and succeed in life. Members of CSF’s Statewide Initiatives team staff the WPN.
Established as a cabinet-level state agency on July 1, 2012, the Washington Student Achievement Council provides strategic planning, oversight, and advocacy to support increased student success and higher levels of educational attainment in Washington.
The Passport to Careers program helps former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth prepare for and succeed in college, apprenticeships, or pre-apprenticeship programs. Under the Passport to Careers program, there are two sub-programs: Passport to College and Passport to Apprenticeship Opportunities.
- Through the Passport to College program, students receive a scholarship that assists with the cost of attending college (tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, and some personal expenses), support services from college staff, and priority consideration for the Washington College Grant and State Work Study programs.
- The Passport to Apprenticeship Opportunities program will assist students participating in registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs with covering occupational-specific costs such as tuition for classes, fees, work clothes, rain gear, boots, and occupation-related tools.