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Fostering Success Michigan Newsletter Volume 39 September 2015
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Mark Your Calendars for a
Regional Network Meeting Near You!
It is that time of year again! This fall, Fostering Success Michigan will co-host Regional Network Meetings across the State and we need YOUR input, ideas, and innovations for the region you call home!
Not sure which region you are in? Click here to find out!
2015 Regional Network Meeting Dates
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Wayne County
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Wednesday, September 23rd |
Wayne State University |
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Northern Region
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Wednesday, September 30th
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Ferris State University
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| Southwest Region |
Tuesday, October 6th
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Western Michigan University
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| Central Region |
Thursday, October 15th |
Michigan State University |
| Northeast Region |
Tuesday, October 20th |
Saginaw Valley State University |
| Southeast Region |
Thursday, November 5th |
Washtenaw Community College |
Meeting time for all locations is 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Check our News & Events page in a week for updated information about meeting locations/directions.
Do not miss out on this opportunity to network with local community partners, share resources, and create a supportive education to career pipeline for students who have experienced foster care in your region!
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| It's Webinar Season! Come one, come all, and come as you are! FSM Network and Center for Fostering Success "Best Practice, Best Fit" Webinar Series are back and ready to provide helpful information for students, professionals, and everyone in between! Join us from the comfort of your computer screen as we tackle need-to-know information in the education to career pipeline for students with experience in foster care. Upcoming Webinar Events CFS "Best Practice, Best Fit" Webinar Uncharted Territory: Foster Youth Navigating Mental Health Services as They Age Out of Care Tuesday, September 15th 2pm-3pm EST Click to learn more or register here! FSM Toolkit Webinar Series Getting to Know...FSM Financial Aid Champions: Making Money Work for You! Tuesday, September 22nd 2pm-3pm EST Click to learn more or register here! Unable to attend? No worries! Click here to watch previously recorded webinars at your convenience. Upcoming webinars will be added after scheduled dates. |
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Partner Spotlight:
Join FSM in welcoming Michigan's newest campus-based support programs!
Lansing Community College Fostering Stars
The Fostering Stars Program provides a wonderful opportunity and a supportive network for students currently engaged in or aging out of the foster care system. Some of the services provided in this program include: advising, academic support, counseling, community outreach, transportation assistance, specific emergency assistance, care-packages, one-on-one mentoring, group membership and networking opportunities.
For more information about Fostering Stars or Lansing Community College, please click here!
Washtenaw Community College REACH
 WCC REACH is based in the Student Resource and Women's Center. Their goal is to assist the college in providing students with a positive learning experience while attending WCC.
The center provides a case management model advocating on behalf of all students to help them overcome barriers that impede their success, and to promote an educational environment that values diversity, inclusiveness, and quality. The center offers academic and career advising; education plans; grants for tuition, books, on and off campus childcare; bus tokens; a career mentoring program; and an emergency food pantry. An on-site Life Skills Coach will assist students as needed.
For more information about Washtenaw Community College or REACH, please click here!
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Resource Spotlight: FSM Network Map
The places and people within our Network are resources for you. You can use the map to find organizations and professionals within your area!
Featured on the Network:
- National Resource Centers
- Campus Support Programs
- National Partners
- Michigan Designated Campus Champions
- Career Services
- Caregivers and Mentors
- Community Mental Health Organizations
- Community Organizations
- Department of Education
- Department of Human Services
- Foundations and Funding Organizations
- Housing
- Law Enforcement and Justice System
- Local College Access Networks
- and Postsecondary Education
Check out the FSM Network Map Here! |
ATTENTION STUDENTS!
Education and Training Voucher (ETV) is nearing the deadline! There is still time for students to apply and get awarded up to $2000 for the fall semester. Students who received ETV during the 2015 fiscal year may be eligible for extra funding! Remember, even if a student has their tuition and fees paid, ETV can still be awarded and used for purchases such as rent, transportation, and daily living expenses.
For an easy first step, call (877) 660-6388!
For information about ETV, eligibility, and more click here!
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Student Support = Success!!
In an effort to understand the impact your efforts have on supporting students who have experienced foster care to access and succeed in postsecondary education, we are sharing highlights from FSM Higher Education Consortium programs.
34
students from foster care graduated in the 2014 - 2015 school year. This includes Spring and Summer 2015.
245
students from foster care age 18-25 were supported by higher education campus support programs in the 2014 - 2015 school year.
276
students are estimated to be supported by higher education campus support programs in the 2015-2016 school year.
We now have
14
campus support programs for students who have experienced foster care in Michigan!
Interested in starting a campus support program at your institution? Contact Maddy Day at [email protected] for more information.
Information collected from: Baker Flint, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Northwestern Michigan College, Saginaw Valley State University, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Flint, and Western Michigan University
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Got a Minute? 
Take FSM's
One-Minute Survey!
This month's question:
Which FSM Guide Do You Use the Most?
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Powerful Partnerships
Wow, September already!
It is hard to believe that we are now embarking upon another exciting school year! Just a year ago we were highlighting the importance of the student voice and how we could all #MakeYourMark.
I am reminded of how much our work is influenced and shaped by partnerships near and far, both formal and informal. A simple definition of partnership is the idea that a person or an organization shares with another some action or endeavor. How true this is in the work we do? We can never "go it alone" in building a supportive education to career pipeline for students who have experienced foster care. In this spirit, we are happy to add
Lansing Community College Fostering Stars Program
and the Washtenaw Community College REACH Program
to our growing network of FSM Higher Education Consortium partners!
To keep partnerships, both old and new, going and growing, we are once again co-hosting the FSM Regional Network Meetings with 6 different campus-based support programs across the State (which is 2 more than last year!). We hope you come out to share your resources, connect with partners, and consider bringing a new partner to learn about the role they play in helping our students succeed.
Moving into Fall, I encourage you to think about the ways in which you or your organization is partnering with others in this work.
How are you partnering with students in their powerful ability to inform the work we do?
We would love to hear about the powerful partnerships you have developed on your campus and in your community to support students who have experienced foster care! Looking for partners? Visit the FSM Network Map highlighted in the newsletter above! Take a chance, reach out, and make connections!
As always, thank you for your continued commitment to partnership and collaboration. FSM will continue to bring you resources to support your work, ideas to inspire you, and hope that together we can all remain dedicated to creating and maintaining #FSMPowerfulPartnerships!
Take care,
Director of Outreach and Training
Center for Fostering Success
Western Michigan University
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