{"id":8022,"date":"2021-04-12T21:24:21","date_gmt":"2021-04-13T01:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/?p=8022"},"modified":"2021-06-10T16:09:00","modified_gmt":"2021-06-10T20:09:00","slug":"state-policies-to-facilitate-higher-education-and-workforce-training-for-former-foster-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/state-policies-to-facilitate-higher-education-and-workforce-training-for-former-foster-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"State Policies to Facilitate Higher Education and Workforce Training for Former Foster Youth"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Primary Investigator<\/strong>: Dr. Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz, Professor of Political Science (pictured at left)<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-8022 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/policy-lab\/shanna_pmsized\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Shanna_PMsized-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-5410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Shanna_PMsized-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Shanna_PMsized.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-5410'>\n\t\t\t\tDr. Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/policy-lab\/austyn-headshot-1\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/austyn-headshot-1-e1613136465439-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-7768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/austyn-headshot-1-e1613136465439-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/austyn-headshot-1-e1613136465439-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-7768'>\n\t\t\t\tAustyn Ramsay\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/policy-lab\/17559cb5-c7a6-4f3e-b968-21ffc5a624bb_1_201_a\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/17559CB5-C7A6-4F3E-B968-21FFC5A624BB_1_201_a-e1616530391114-150x150.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-7989\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/17559CB5-C7A6-4F3E-B968-21FFC5A624BB_1_201_a-e1616530391114-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/17559CB5-C7A6-4F3E-B968-21FFC5A624BB_1_201_a-e1616530391114-300x300.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-7989'>\n\t\t\t\tShawn Sheppard\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>In brief:<\/strong> Dr. Pearson&#8217;s Public Policy Lab team partnered with <a href=\"https:\/\/urldefense.proofpoint.com\/v2\/url?u=http-3A__adoptionri.org&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=dWz0sRZOjEnYSN4E4J0dug&amp;r=wze_VpswBpct0drerFrXL3Z4GeBhmaTDago9ji0JiNU&amp;m=-OMbow9pLPbRc3u_p4U8et-EDttQy4qXo4xs586x_ks&amp;s=fs1y3tvEG1fePmPBV0zyZmhJnKmkHyEco6k75xRwTOI&amp;e=\">Adoption RI<\/a> to conduct <a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/fostering-success-policy-proposals-for-improving-higher-education-outcomes-among-rhode-islands-foster-youth\/\">an analysis of state policies that aim to increase access to higher education for former foster youth<\/a>. The team, which includes undergraduate students Austyn Ramsay (center), Shawn Sheppard (right), and Emma Mariano, analyzed current educational and economic outcomes among foster youth as well as the barriers to college entry and graduation. They also evaluated the current resources and aid available for foster youth in Rhode Island and investigated best practices from other states that could serve as models for Rhode Island.<!--more--><\/p>\n<h3>SSIREP Fellows Propose Policies to Improve Educational Outcomes for Rhode Island&#8217;s Foster Youth<\/h3>\n<p><i>Thanks to a gift from a donor, URI\u2019s Social Science Institute for Research, Education, and Policy (SSIREP) created the Public Policy Lab, where faculty and students partner with local governments and nonprofit organizations to improve community services and better the lives of Rhode Islanders through applied policy projects. Whereas students must often work low wage jobs to complete their education, this fund creates opportunities for them to conduct paid research fellowships under the mentorship of a faculty supervisor. At the Public Policy Lab, students apply their studies toward the development of graduate-level professional skills while working as part of a team to contribute meaningfully to their community. <\/i><\/p>\n<p>At SSIREP\u2019s Public Policy Lab, a project team partnered with <a href=\"https:\/\/urldefense.proofpoint.com\/v2\/url?u=http-3A__adoptionri.org&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=dWz0sRZOjEnYSN4E4J0dug&amp;r=wze_VpswBpct0drerFrXL3Z4GeBhmaTDago9ji0JiNU&amp;m=-OMbow9pLPbRc3u_p4U8et-EDttQy4qXo4xs586x_ks&amp;s=fs1y3tvEG1fePmPBV0zyZmhJnKmkHyEco6k75xRwTOI&amp;e=\">Adoption Rhode Island<\/a> to develop <a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/fostering-success-policy-proposals-for-improving-higher-education-outcomes-among-rhode-islands-foster-youth\/\">a set of policy proposals for improving higher education outcomes among foster youth in Rhode Island<\/a>. The team was led by Dr. Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz (Department of Political Science), with BA students Austyn Ramsay, Shawn Sheppard, and Emma Mariano.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBack in 2014, students in my Honors public policy class worked on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.collaborativeri.org\/research\/improving-outcomes-for-foster-youth-in-rhode-island\">a policy analysis for the state legislature on how to improve foster youth educational outcomes in [Rhode Island]<\/a>. Several legislative changes were enacted at least in part due to those students&#8217; research,\u201d Dr. Pearson-Merkowitz said. \u201cAfter that publication, Adoption Rhode Island reached out to SSIREP to see if we could be further involved. Through discussions, we identified that college access was a major issue facing foster youth in [Rhode Island].\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Pearson-Merkowitz\u2019s team of students analyzed current educational and economic outcomes among the state\u2019s foster youth, and the barriers to college entry and graduation they face. In order to produce their policy recommendations, they evaluated current resources and aid available for Rhode Island foster youth and investigated best practices implemented by other states.<\/p>\n<p>For Austyn Ramsay, an outgoing senior in the Political Science Department who will begin law school in the fall, the project has provided valuable exposure to the professional world. \u201cI was able to get firsthand experience working with agencies in the state of Rhode Island such as Adoption RI and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and work with a small group of students to develop a policy white paper that is ready for a professional client,\u201d said Ramsay.<\/p>\n<p>Shawn Sheppard observed that the project allowed him to practice skills in a meaningful applied context. \u201cI have had the opportunity to hone my researching and writing skills,\u201d said Sheppard, who is also an outgoing senior in the Political Science Department, \u201cAll while working collaboratively with fellow students and faculty to develop policies that will have a real impact on the Rhode Island community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ramsay also noted skill-building facilitated by the fellowship. \u201cI was able to develop\u2026 analytical, critical thinking, and research skills by being challenged by my peers and [Dr. Pearson-Merkowitz] on a daily basis, making me into a better student and professional,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>For Sheppard, this challenge was invaluable. \u201cI would highly recommend the fellowship to those interested in challenging themselves while expanding their research experience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Pearson-Merkowitz hopes that collaboration with Adoption RI will continue, both within SSIREP and without. \u201cWe have many professors across campus who are experts in areas critically important to foster youth,\u201d she said, \u201cincluding mental and physical health care, family reunification, trauma, and education. I hope more students are able to work with Adoption Rhode Island by partnering with professors to help use science and analysis to inform public policy in this area.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Primary Investigator: Dr. Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz, Professor of Political Science (pictured at left) In brief: Dr. Pearson&#8217;s Public Policy Lab team partnered with Adoption RI to conduct an analysis of state policies that aim to increase access to higher education for former foster youth. The team, which includes undergraduate students Austyn Ramsay (center), Shawn Sheppard (right), [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3974,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8022","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ppl-completed-featured"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8022","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3974"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8022"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8022\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8521,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8022\/revisions\/8521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8022"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8022"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8022"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}