Post-secondary education program for foster youth. - Page 1 |
Previous | 1 of 11 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
This page
All
|
Fiscal Research Division Justification Review Health and Human Services May 25, 2012 In fall 2011, the Fiscal Research Division conducted a justification review of the NC REACH post-secondary education program. Although the program has been in existence for only four years, the program is meeting its objective to increase access to post-secondary education for foster youth. The number of foster youth attending college has increased and students are progressing in their studies. However, whether the program is accomplishing its objectives efficiently cannot be determined from the available data. Additionally data suggest that the program support services may be inadequate and potentially ineffective at meeting the needs of the students. Relying on a virtual (internet based) support program for this population of students is unsupported by the available research. The following recommendations are offered: 1. NC REACH should be subjected to a formal program evaluation which should inform the future structure and content of the program. 2. The Division of Social Services should examine whether program shortcomings can be corrected by incorporating lessons from other states’ programs. 3. Program size should be examined to determine if it is possible to achieve better outcomes through more targeted service delivery. 4. The Division should determine if the case management function is achieving the best outcomes for the students being served. 5. The General Assembly should examine the effectiveness of the Tuition Waiver for Foster Youth (G.S. 115B). Scope and Methodology The findings of this review are based on information obtained through a variety of sources and data collection methods. Interviews were conducted with numerous key stakeholders including agency representatives from the Division of Social Services, university program administrators, the contract agency, and student scholarship recipients. Staff conducted a rigorous review of relevant fiscal data, program outcomes data, and reports produced by the contractor and the Division of Social Services. In addition, staff interviewed student interns who are program participants. This review of the NC REACH Program is one of four “justification reviews” of State government programs required by S.L. 2011-145, Sec. 6.6. The Fiscal Research Division’s (FRD) objectives for each justification review are to: Provide a description of each program; Identify major policy issues that the General Assembly should address; Explore means to achieve program objectives more efficiently; Characterize the likely results of alternative funding levels and opportunities to save taxpayer dollars; and Identify performance measures that have been established by the agency and the usefulness of those measures as well as the agency’s progress toward meeting their established measures.
Object Description
Description
Title | Post-secondary education program for foster youth. - Page 1 |
Full Text | Fiscal Research Division Justification Review Health and Human Services May 25, 2012 In fall 2011, the Fiscal Research Division conducted a justification review of the NC REACH post-secondary education program. Although the program has been in existence for only four years, the program is meeting its objective to increase access to post-secondary education for foster youth. The number of foster youth attending college has increased and students are progressing in their studies. However, whether the program is accomplishing its objectives efficiently cannot be determined from the available data. Additionally data suggest that the program support services may be inadequate and potentially ineffective at meeting the needs of the students. Relying on a virtual (internet based) support program for this population of students is unsupported by the available research. The following recommendations are offered: 1. NC REACH should be subjected to a formal program evaluation which should inform the future structure and content of the program. 2. The Division of Social Services should examine whether program shortcomings can be corrected by incorporating lessons from other states’ programs. 3. Program size should be examined to determine if it is possible to achieve better outcomes through more targeted service delivery. 4. The Division should determine if the case management function is achieving the best outcomes for the students being served. 5. The General Assembly should examine the effectiveness of the Tuition Waiver for Foster Youth (G.S. 115B). Scope and Methodology The findings of this review are based on information obtained through a variety of sources and data collection methods. Interviews were conducted with numerous key stakeholders including agency representatives from the Division of Social Services, university program administrators, the contract agency, and student scholarship recipients. Staff conducted a rigorous review of relevant fiscal data, program outcomes data, and reports produced by the contractor and the Division of Social Services. In addition, staff interviewed student interns who are program participants. This review of the NC REACH Program is one of four “justification reviews” of State government programs required by S.L. 2011-145, Sec. 6.6. The Fiscal Research Division’s (FRD) objectives for each justification review are to: Provide a description of each program; Identify major policy issues that the General Assembly should address; Explore means to achieve program objectives more efficiently; Characterize the likely results of alternative funding levels and opportunities to save taxpayer dollars; and Identify performance measures that have been established by the agency and the usefulness of those measures as well as the agency’s progress toward meeting their established measures. |