In fiscal year 2003-4 the Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) administered the ETV Program for AL, AR, CO, IL, NC, OH. Going into year two these are the practices that we found most useful in building an effective program.

Successful ETV Programs will work closely with the IL community although they should not solely be an extension of services available only to those participating in an IL Program. By coordinating the financial assistance of an ETV with post-secondary guidance and support services recipients will have better outcomes. Best practices include but are not limited to:

• a clearly defined application process and funding process that is transparent to stakeholders; this includes informing students of the amount of funding they receive, the allowable purpose of these funds and to whom & when the money is paid
  
  
• open lines of communication between the applicants/participants and the ETV administrator including an 800 number and an email address to ensure that youth understand and comply with all program components and establish a relationship with the ETV Program
  
  
• all applicants are assessed individually to assure that they receive appropriate funds based on their unmet financial need as calculated by their educational institution, and that the disbursement of these funds is tailored to their individual needs. In North Carolina for example, health insurance is an identified priority; ETV funds will be used to purchase a policy once tuition, books and fees are covered
  
  
• provide ongoing support and monitoring of students’ progress – recipients should be encouraged to access on campus services including tutoring and other programs designed to support at-risk students ex: TRIO Programs, campus mental health services, etc. The ETV program should build in a mid-semester attendance verification process to prevent students from continuing to receive funds if they drop out. This may also prevent students who are struggling from dropping out when there are alternatives available to help them through a trying time
  
  
• identify at risk sub-populations and provide specialized services, ex: parenting students, learning disabled, GBLT
  
  
• develop a probation program to support youth at risk for failure

12020-D North Shore Drive, Reston, VA 20190-4977 • Internet: www.orphan.org
Tel: 571-203-0270 • Fax: 571-203-0273 • E-Mail: help@orphan.org

• America’s Charities Member CFC # 0472
  
  
• establish program goals and outcomes that include the number or percent of students making satisfactory grades each semester, reapplying annually and ultimately graduating and entering the workforce at a living wage in the field for which they were educated. Additionally, youth who do not continue their education but leave for valid reasons should be counted as positive outcomes provided there is documentation outlining their decision and their future path
  
  
• provide training to foster parents to strengthen and support their role as mentors and counselors to youth in college and training programs as well as support the aspirations of younger youth in their care
  
  
• communicate program mechanics to all stakeholders including youth, with special attention to foster parents, education specialists in private and public agencies, and the adoptive community
  
• top Administrators in the Department should take an interest in the program to signal that it is important to the Agency, thereby increasing interest and awareness at the lower levels
  

Best or Promising Practices In Outreach to Youth Regarding ETV Availability

At every level the foster care system must do a better job with youth in its custody to help them recognize their natural strengths, talents, interests and limitations and relate them to career and employment issues. By helping youth set appropriate goals, including realistic expectations of the rigors and time commitment involved in a particular education or training program young people will be better position to choose a career path that plays to their strengths and allows them to succeed.

Youth outreach should include:

- peer involvement- engaging former foster youth and the state’s youth advisory board in the process

·- working with runaway and homeless youth shelters to reach eligible youth who would not otherwise be aware of the program

- developing youth-friendly materials including a simple brochure and an easy to navigate website that includes an application so that eligible students who are no longer involved with DSS have an equal opportunity to apply and receive funds (equal access has been identified as a major concern of youth who are no longer in care and may have animosity /ambivalence towards the system)