Finding Success in Education for Foster Youth (feat. Dr. Danisha Keating)
Foster youth face many challenges, and education can be one of them. In fact, studies show that just 4% of children who have experienced foster care will go on to obtain a four-year college degree.
Children who are involved within the foster care system also experience a higher number of school transitions, lower academic achievement, heightened experiences of exclusionary school discipline, higher drop out rates, and decreased access to postsecondary education. Accessible resources and healthy relationships are needed to help youth build a strong educational foundation that will guide them into adulthood.
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Danisha Keating. She is an author, CEO, business leader, and holds a Ph.D. in Psychology.
As a former foster youth, she has learned the importance of furthering her education and building a network around her. Since 2009, Danisha has helped students understand the value of education and the importance of striving to define success by what that means to each individual. Ever since Danisha can remember, she has been passionate about education and helping others achieve success.
This is one you don’t want to miss!
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Key Takeaways
- Children in foster care feel a responsibility to keep the bottom from falling out. There is a huge responsibility that current and former foster youth often feel for keeping their world together. There are times when this expectation is put on them by teachers, social workers, and foster parents, or it may just be an internal expectation they develop. This can ultimately lead to foster youth feeling like it is their sole responsibility to do things themselves without any help.
- It is important for foster youth to find and build a supportive community around them. It takes time to get used to the good around you. This is why it is so important for youth in foster care to have a supportive community around them. They need trusted people who won’t let them down and will help them navigate decisions around education and their future.
- Awareness of key educational resources is vital. There is often a stigma and a level of shame surrounding education for youth in foster care. Many children in foster care struggle when it comes to education because they have been transferred to several schools and had many interruptions in their life. In many cases, the only way educators are aware a child is a foster youth is if they self-identify. As a result, they are not always aware of available resources to succeed educationally or in a future profession.
Resources
- Educational Resources Near Houston
- Connect with Dr. Keating on Instagram, Facebook, and her website!
- [BOOK] From Foster to PhD: Letters from a Suitcase
Meet the Guest
Dr. Danisha Keating is a former foster youth, author, motivational speaker, coach, and holds a Ph.D. in Psychology. When Danisha entered her teenage years DCS got involved and removed her and her siblings from their home due to abuse and neglect. Ever since she could remember, she has been passionate about education and helping others achieve success.
