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Below please find information for the upcoming October 28 and 29 for a virtual, multi-session conference! This year’s conference will include workshop presentations, two keynote speakers, and two breakout group networking sessions. You will be able to sign up for as many workshop sessions as you’re able to attend!

Quick Details: 

• Location: Virtual via Zoom
• Date: Wednesday and Thursday, October 28-29
• Questions? Contact us at passport@collegesuccessfoundation.org or (425) 417-3072.
• Download our conference Zoom background!

This year’s conference will offer you the opportunity to:  

• Connect and network with others who support students from foster care and/or unaccompanied homelessness in graduating from high school and pursuing their post-secondary aspirations;
• Share best practices aimed at improving the educational outcomes of students from foster care and/or unaccompanied homelessness;
• Acquire skills, knowledge, and resources that advance professional development and enhance program impact;
• Inspire one another with stories of success and ideas for innovation.

 

DAY 1

9 a.m. — Kickoff and Keynote Speech

Keynote speech with George Duvall. Read more about George on our keynote speakers page.

10:30 a.m. — Workshops

1. Diving Deeper: Working with Tribal Foster Youth

This workshop is a follow up and deeper discussion into how to best support Native students in the education system Topics will include sovereignty, the definition of historical trauma and the ways it shows up currently, and different types of Tribal enrollment.

At the end of the workshop, attendees will have learned how historical trauma affects Native youth – especially those in the foster care system – and how to best support Native students in Washington state.

Presented by Kateri Joe of Treehouse and Shoshaunee Perez of Northwest Indian College.

2. Getting Unstuck: Maintaining Relationships with Students

Ever feel stuck in building or maintaining relationships with youth you are working with? The goal of the roundtable discussion is to understand why maintaining relationships with youth is critical to their success and learn from each other about how we can create meaningful connections with every student. The presenters will share times they felt “stuck” and provide strategies and ways to maintain or re-engage with students. We will focus some of the time specifically addressing how to maintain and re-engage students virtually. We will also invite attendees to share their experiences and reflect on what did and did not work. The roundtable will conclude with an activity for attendees to practice new skills and strategies.

At the end of the workshop, attendees will have learned how to recognize the importance of maintaining relationships with students, recognize when a relationship with a student is “stuck” or froze, and develop strategies that may help maintain relationships with students.

Presented by Sara Spiers and Amy Salazar of Washington State University Vancouver.

1 p.m. — Workshops

1. The Washington College Grant and Financial Aid Updates

Washington State now has more opportunities than ever before for students to access state financial aid. The new Washington College Grant has expanded eligibility and access to state aid for students in Washington. Learn more about financial aid updates and how you can support students as they go through the financial aid process.

Our session will explore what best practices and resources have been successful at increasing financial aid completion rates across the state, including the 12th Year Campaign. There will be an overview of the financial aid basics and both the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid).

At the end of the workshop, attendees will have learned how to understand Washington State financial aid opportunities, and how students can access them.

Presented by Yokiko Hayashi-Saguil of the Washington Student Achievement Council.

2. Passport: What is It and How Does it Work?

Learn how the Passport to Careers program can support foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth pursue a college education or apprenticeship. Apply what you’ve learned during the session to find solutions to typical challenges students face.

At the end of the workshop, participants will have learned what the Passport to Careers program is, who is eligible for Passport, and how the Passport program helps students.

Realistic student scenarios will be presented to attendees and will challenge participants to work together to develop solutions.

Presented by Dawn Cypriano McAferty from the Washington Student Achievement Council.

2:30 p.m. — Breakout Groups Networking

These Regional Networking Breakout sessions are an opportunity for participants to:

1. Share what their regional group is currently working on
2. Gauge the needs of your regional area
3. Discuss priorities for your regional area

DAY TWO

9 a.m. — Workshops

1. Adolescent2Adult: An Overview of Medicaid/Health Coverage for Alumni of Foster Care

Coordinated Care’s Apple Health Core Connections is the Medicaid program that serves youth in foster care and alumni of foster care (ages 18-26). For youth not covered by AHCC, the workshop will address how youth can enroll in Medicaid. As youth transition from adolescence to adulthood, AHCC believes that youth and their advocates should know 3 key things:

1. How to access physical and behavioral health services, and accessing services safely during the COVID-19 pandemic
2. Their health care rights (what is protected and how to access records), and
3. What Medicaid covers (including dental, vision, reproductive health care, transgender services, prescriptions, preventative care, and urgent/emergent care).

At the end of the workshop, attendees will be able to:

1. Identify who to call when a question around Medicaid coverage arises
2. Understand youth rights to protect their health information and how to access their own records
3. Understand the basics of what services Medicaid covers so they can better help a youth navigate the health care system

This presentation was designed specifically for youth who will be accessing their own healthcare as they enter adulthood. Young people attending this workshop will be given the opportunity to ask any questions they have, as well as given contact information in the event they need to reach out on the future.

Presented by Lindsey Greene of Coordinated Care.

2. Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care

Research suggests that between 60-80% of the population experiences at least one traumatic event during their lives, and prevalence of trauma is higher still for youth who have been homeless or involved in the foster care system. As communities respond to ongoing stress and potential traumas related to COVID-19 and its impacts, trauma-informed care is increasingly relevant. By working from a trauma-informed perspective, professionals can ensure that the services they provide are sensitive and relevant for trauma-affected individuals and communities. This workshop offers an introduction to trauma-informed care, including definitions of acute and chronic trauma, impacts on brain and behavior, foundations of trauma-informed care, and concrete strategies for professionals to provide sustainable and effective support within their roles.

Participants will learn definitions for acute and chronic trauma, common impacts of trauma on brain and behavior, foundations of trauma-informed care, and concrete strategies to implement trauma-informed practices within their roles.

Presented by Anna Scott and Sarah Odell of Southwest Youth & Family Services.

With over 23 years of combined experience working with diverse populations of youth and families in a variety of settings both in the USA and abroad, Anna and Sarah’s past and present relationships with trauma-affected youth and families inform and shape their perspectives and presentation. While protecting client confidentiality is critical for all mental health professionals, a primary tenet of trauma-informed care is empowerment, voice, and choice. Meeting trauma-affected individuals where they are, respecting their right to make choices in their lives, and empowering them to use their voices will be emphasized as essential parts of trauma-informed service provision.

10:30 a.m. — Workshops

1. Secondary Traumatic Stress and Self Care

Working with youth who have experienced trauma can be difficult, draining, exhausting, and frustrating.This training will help professionals to understand the differences between Secondary Traumatic Stress, Compassion fatigue and Vicarious trauma, as well as gain awareness of the impact of organizational stress. Participants will also be able to recognize warning signs and personal triggers, as well as understand why self-care is important and develop a personal self-care plan.

Participants will:
1. Define and differentiate between the terms related to secondary traumatic stress
2. Learn the red flags and warning signs of Secondary Traumatic stress and related conditions
3. Understand the importance of self care and co-care in mitigating the impact of indirect trauma exposure.
4. Develop a personal self care plan.

Presented by Heather Perry of Coordinated Care

2. Preparing Students for Careers: Apprenticeships

A lot of students plan on going to college after high school- but how many students do you know that have career goals that fit well with their interests and skillsets? Have you considered ALL options of how to be successful in that field? Do you have any students that are interested in being a doctor or nurse, but can’t handle seeing blood? This workshop provides tools for taking steps to encourage your students to contextually and tangibly think about the realities of specific jobs, as well as options for how to achieve career goals. Although college is the most chosen path after high school, it may not always be the best option for people interested in certain career paths. Did you know that most trades jobs have apprenticeship programs that pay people to learn about and practice job skills- all without accruing any student debt?

There are over 200 apprenticeship programs in Washington from Construction to Healthcare, to Information Technology, to Aerospace, Early Childhood Education, and much more! Come learn more about how to identify career options for students so that they can make an educated decision about choosing a career and how they want to accomplish their career goals.

Attendees will learn how to effectively support students with identifying career paths and ways to become successful in those career paths. Attendees will also have information about apprenticeship options.

Presented by Emily Stochel of ANEW.

1 p.m. — Keynote Speech

With Jamerika Haynes-Lewis. Read about Jamerika on our keynote speakers page.

2:30 p.m. — Breakout Groups Networking

In this networking session, participants will break out into groups and discuss one of these three topics:

1. Black Lives Matter Movement: We’ll discuss the relevance of the Black Lives Matter Movement as it relates to the students we serve, the impact of the movement on our students, and how we can best show up to support them during this critical time.
2. Equity in the Work: We’ll talk more about how equity does or does not show up in our work and what we can do about it.
3. COVID Response/Resources: We’ll discuss where we currently are in responding to this global pandemic, its effects on our work, and our responsibility to our students during this time.

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