Frequently Asked Questions

Could we add your symbol to our outreaches?

Yes, all awarded institutions will receive the logo and all related materials, to be used for their programming.

Is this program open to all students that have a history of foster care or only those who have not been reunified?

Ohio Reach programming is open to all students with any history or experience in foster or kinship care at any point in their youth (prior to 18 years of age). This allows for access to services for students with a range of experiences with foster/kinship care in their lives.

We are never told who these students are. Our financial aid director is the only person that knows these students are and sends messages for us. Only students that choose to disclose… how can we build more agency with the student to help them raise their hand so we can provide more support?

Most Institutions do not know who every foster care affected student on campus is. Ohio Reach encourages institutions to create a marketing/outreach plan to reach students in a variety of ways. Some proven methods include: Partnerships with community organizations or local school districts, including identifying questions on applications or surveys, speaking in classes, posting information, and sending email communications through the financial aid department. To build agency and trust, liaisons can host events, network with students, and share about the benefits of services offered.

What happens at the end of the 3 years? Is there a renewal of some sort? And is the award one time for the full three years or is 1,500-5, 000 given each year for 3 years?

The Designation is awarded for three years. At the end of the 3-year period, institutions will be able to renew their designation by completing an abbreviated application. Awards will be sent out 1 time with the initial designation.

If we need more time to build a program that meets requirements or otherwise can't meet the initial deadline, will there another opportunity to apply?

Yes, the Request for Applications will be released annually to all institutions. In future years, the RFA will be released early each calendar year. In the meantime, some trainings will be open to staff from all institutions, to allow a chance to learn best practices before applying.

Can we have co-liaisons? Or a Primary Liaison and secondary contact? Would only the Liaison be able to attend the free trainings? Could you have an additional staff member who is involved also attend?

Yes, institutions are able to have co-liaisons. Co-liaisons and other interested staff are welcome at virtual trainings.

It would be great to have a session to hear from other schools of what worked and what went wrong.

We agree! There will be a meet and greet for all new and established campus liaisons shortly after awards. Future trainings will cover best practices and include panels.

Can the Designated Campus Liaison also serve and be listed as Campus Champions for their department. In other words, Can the Designated Campus Liaison also cost as one of the three identified Campus Champions? Or is the Liaison excluded from the champion count?

Yes, the Campus Liaison may serve as the Campus Champion for their department. They are also able to be counted towards the needed three Champions on applications.

I was wondering how a report would be developed if these students are not known by campus partners. I understand that many may self-identify, but many will not. Also, if the student is not tagged in banner and they swipe in for tutoring, how will we be able to document it?

Students may not self-identify, we encourage institutions to create an outreach plan to identify students and offer services to them. Ohio Reach Liaisons will only be asked to collect data on students that they have connected with or offered services to.

How can we identify if a student is connected with Ohio Reach? I am currently working with Two students who I am aware of who were / are in foster care. are scholarships available to them and should we connect them to someone in your office?

The institution identifies and connects students to their Ohio Reach program. Yes, there is an Ohio Reach Scholarship. More information on the scholarship can be found on the “Scholarship” tab on the Ohio Reach website.

For mentorship, is this something success coaches could do?

Yes, success coaching is a form of peer mentorship. Ohio Reach encourages creativity with the structure of how mentorship programs are facilitated. More ideas can be found in the Campus Support Program Handbook.

Slide 7 of the Virtual Overview PowerPoint says, “Depending on work loads, institutions are also able to use a committee structure or use student interns to help with planning.” Does this mean the Liaison can be a committee?

Ohio Reach needs a name/person for the Liaison (but you can use a generic contact email that multiple people monitor and help address). There can be co-Liaisons and a committee structure comprised of Liaisons, Champions, and other staff or interns for support.

Frequently Asked Questions

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