Reaching Postsecondary Success: Pathways for Youth in Transition from Foster Care

Reaching Postsecondary Success: Pathways for Youth in Transition from Foster Care
Reaching Postsecondary Success: Pathways for Youth in Transition from Foster Care

Overview

Youth in transition from foster care face many unique challenges on the path to postsecondary success. Lack of access to resources like housing, academic advising, and a trusted adult mentor often hinder these youth from enrolling in and completing postsecondary education. States and postsecondary institutions, recognizing these needs, are dedicating resources to improving the experiences and outcomes of youth in transition from foster care. In honor of National Foster Care Month, the American Youth Policy Forum hosted a webinar on May 14th entitled “Reaching Postsecondary Success: Pathways for Youth in Transition from Foster Care”. This webinar featured Michael Leach, Director of Independent Living at the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services; Mary Jo Sekelsky, Ed.D., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Michigan-Flint; and Gabriella G., a Michigan student transitioning out of foster care and enrolled in the MPowering My Success program at the University of Michigan-Flint.

Presenters Included:

Michael Leach, Director of Independent Living, Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Mary Jo Sekelsky, Ed.D., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of Michigan-Flint Gabriella G., Student, MPowering My Success

Presenter Biographies

Leach photo formattedMichael Leach is the Director of Independent living for the State of Tennessee, Department of Children’s Services (DCS). Independent living is charged with building a network of appropriate supports and services for youth transitioning out of care and for those who are likely to remain in care. Michael was formally the Director of Systems Integration within DCS, a role that worked with all facets of the department including implementation of the Child and Adolescent Needs & Strength Assessment (CANS), contract development and utilization review. Michael has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and has done clinical work at the Vanderbilt Center of Excellence (COE) and Child & Adolescent Outpatient Clinic (CAPOC). Michael provides consultation and technical assistance to Singapore and a few states around assessment & improving outcomes in child welfare.

mary jo formatted Mary Jo Sekelsky was appointed Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Michigan-Flint in 2005. Under her leadership, Student Affairs has become a model for student-centeredness, program assessment, and collaboration. Delivering the resources necessary to develop systems and policies that enhance the student experience has been a primary objective throughout Dr. Sekelsky’s thirty year career in higher education. Her dissertation, The Effects of Holistic and Traditional Approaches on the Learning Strategies, Self-Concept, and Academic Achievement of Underachieving Commuter University Students continues to serve as the foundation of her research interests. Currently the principal investigator of a multi-year grant focusing on the academic needs of young adults aging out of foster care, Vice Chancellor Sekelsky has also received funding directed toward reducing substance abuse among college students. Dr. Sekelsky has twice served as a consumer reviewer for the United States Department of Defense. Vice Chancellor Sekelsky holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Wayne State University, a master’s in Counseling from Oakland University, and a bachelor’s in Psychology from Michigan State University. She is a 2011 graduate of Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management. Dr. Sekelsky has traveled extensively serving as part of an American Business Women’s Association delegation invited to study the contributions of women to the development of science and technology in the People’s Republic of China. In 2013, she joined student affairs professionals from around the globe on an International Study Tour of the Arabian Gulf.

Gabriella G formattedGabriella is a 19-year-old undergraduate student at the University of Michigan-Flint. She is seeking a double major in Applied Psychology and Social Work. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, it is Gabriella’s intention to attain a master’s in Social Work while pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Her aspiration is to become a Child Psychologist specializing in sexual abuse, incest and trauma. Gabriella is employed at the University of Michigan-Flint’s Early Childhood Development Center where she works with infants from birth to 14 months. She is involved in several campus organizations including InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Psychology Club, Greek Life, and Dance. She is a Liturgical Minister at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Gabriella’s main goal in life is to help those who have lived through similar tragedies, trials, tribulations and triumphs achieve success.

Click here to view the presentation slides

Presenter Information:

Michael Leach

Director of Independent Living

Tennessee Department of Children’s Services

Cordell Hull Building, 8th Floor

Nashville, TN 37243

615.253.3503

Mary Jo Sekelsky, Ed.D.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

University of Michigan-Flint

303 East Kearsley Street

Room 237, University Pavilion

Flint, MI 48502-1950

810.762.3434

Gabriella G. 

University of Michigan-Flint

303 East Kearsley Street

Room 237, University Pavilion

Flint, MI 48502-1950

810.762.3434

 

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The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional development organization based in Washington, DC, provides learning opportunities for policy leaders, practitioners, and researchers working on youth and education issues at the national, state, and local levels. AYPF events and publications are made possible by contributions from philanthropic foundations. For a complete list, click here.