2017-18 Unit Plan
Inspiring Scholars

Mission Statement

The goal of Inspiring Scholars is to help current and former foster youth get into college, stay in college, and reach their academic goals- be that an associate's degree, certificate or transfer to another college or university.

Program Description

The Foster Youth Program at Butte College offers support for Butte College students who were in foster care at any point on or after their 13th birthday and who are currently under 25 years old. Activities include bringing about campus-wide awareness, staff training, supporting the priority registration process for FY, developing academic support programs focused on the needs of current or former FY, and maintaining a center designated specifically for FY. The Program also conducts outreach to foster youth in Butte and surrounding counties and collaborates with agencies interested in supporting college access and college success of foster youth.

Accountability for Previously Funded Items

Accountability Item 1

Foster Youth Program Coordinator- Salary and Benefits

Amount: 86330.00
Used For Intended Purpose: Yes
Benefit

The Program Coordinator has been successfully meeting foster youth student need through creating and maintaining program services, expanding program outreach, educating the campus community about foster youth student needs, and seeking and securing sustainable funding for the program.

Accountability Item 2

Five PCs for Student Study Area

Amount: 6250.00
Used For Intended Purpose: Yes
Benefit

These PCs have been purchased and are being used daily by foster youth who do not have computer access at home.

Accountability Item 3

Student Assistant Salaries

Amount: 10830.00
Used For Intended Purpose: Yes
Benefit

Five studnet assistants were hired through Inspiring Scholars last semester. These students provided much needed support for other students and also improved academically themselves.

Student Learning/Administrative Unit Outcomes

The goal for the previous academic year was to increase othe program's understanding of student need and increase student utilization of the program.

The following data was reported in regard to study area useage
Spring 2016
Number of unique users: 89
Number of computer lab users not on Burton List: 15
Number of documented sign-ins: 440

A survey was given to students to assess student need. Survey responses revealed the majority of students using our services are taking classes on the main campus. We do not have resources to offer off campus resources at this time, but will look into this in the future. Almost a quarter of respondents were parenting, and the support requested by students was 50% technical (book credit, tutoring, financial aid, etc.) and 50% social support (check-ins, moral support, etc.). One area, which includes community and technical help is workshops.

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (OSLED Departments)

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (All Other Departments)

Strategic Direction

The most significant portion of the college's strategic direction supported by Inspiring Scholars is: Student Engagement. Inspiring Scholars engages current and prospective students in their program with the goal of increasing retention, persistence, and completion.

Program Review

Not applicable, no program review.

Department Goals

Future Development Strategies

Strategy 1 - Maintain a Mentoring Program

Maintian a mentoring program for foster youth

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

Mentoring has proven to have positive impacts on student outcomes including, retention, completion, GPA, graduation, and transfer. Most foster youth lack positive role models in their lives. Having a mentor to model behaviors that lead to achievement of goals in education and/or employment helps increase the educational outcomes of our foster youth which leads to increased self-esteem, improved mental health and financial independence. The program also increases awarness of the unique needs of foster youth through the involvement of Butte College faculty.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Strategy 2 - Operating Budget

Establish a sustainable source of funding for operating expenses

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success

Supporting Rationale

General office supplies are needed for staff; toner, paper, etc. We also need a budget for postage, computer repairs, etc. Program retention activities also require a budget: outings, events on campus, snacks for students, award ceremonies, promotional items, etc. These program needs are being provided through grant funding currently. A program goal is to secure permanent and secure funding for these program needs.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Strategy 3 - Supplies for Students

Purchase supplies and books for students as needed.

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success

Supporting Rationale

Occasionally, students are in need of supplies to get started. They often come to use without any resources and without even the basic supplies to start the semester (pens, highlighters, binders, paper, backpacks). Because they may not have had someone in their lives helping them prepare for college, or they missed the financial aid event at their high school due to a change of schools, their financial aid is not ready when school begins. For this reason, it would also be helpful to have funding for books. While we strive to get them connected to all resources available, they do not always have the required units to participate in the EOPS Program their first semester so would not have that resource for books.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Strategy 4 - Improve Program Utilization by Foster Youth

Continuing to Increase Student Participation in the Program

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Enhancing a Culture of Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

Inspiring Scholars has seen increased student utilization of program resources, staff support, and program activities each semester. We would like to continue to see increased usage by students, as we believe this will lead to greater retention, persistence, and completion rates for foster youth attending Butte College.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: Yes
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Strategy 5 - Increase Student Employment on Campus

Increase Outreach and Secure Funding to Increase Student Employment on Campus

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success

Supporting Rationale

Student Employment is correlated with better academic outcomes. At the same time, employment provides life skills, increased feelings of self-worth, and money for students who struggle financially. The program would like to increase the number of foster youth employed on campus through advocacy and by securing funding to allow departments to hire foster youth as student assistants.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Requested Non-Financial Resources

Current Financial Resources

Walter S. Johnson Foundation- Rollover of unused grant funds from grant which ended in December of 2016.

YESS-ILP Grant- 22,000 annually for activities supporting the educational, financial, daily living, and and employment education of current and former foster youth attending Butte College. Grant secured October of 2016.

Student Equity Funding- Program Coordinator and Secretary's Salary and Benefits

SSSP Funding-Academic Counsor's hours for program

Augmentation Requests

Original Priority	Program, Unit, Area	Resource Type	Account Number	Object Code	One Time Augment	Ongoing Augment
Description	Supporting Rationale		Potential Alternative Funding Sources		Prioritization Criteria
1	Inspiring Scholars	Personnel	To Be Established	52110	$0.00	$57,375.00
Dedicated Academic Counselor for Foster Youth	Dedicated academic counseling will hopefully lead to increase retention, faster course completion and graduation rates, and a more meaningful college experience for foster youth at Butte College.		Student Support Services Program (SSSP)		Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Improving access, success, and completion of targeted student populations through the implementation of the Student Equity Plan Maintaining core programs and services
2	Inspiring Scholars	Personnel	To Be Established	52368	$0.00	$10,830.00
Student Employment at Inspiring Scholars and on campus	Student Employment supports program outreach and retention, while benefiting those receiving student employment funds.		Student Equity		Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Improving access, success, and completion of targeted student populations through the implementation of the Student Equity Plan Meeting standards and working to achieve goals for course success, retention, degree achievement, certificate completion, transfer, and credentialing
3	Inspiring Scholars	Personnel	To Be Established	52120	$0.00	$55,863.00
Full-Time Program Secretary Position	Inspiring Scholars has grown tremendously since being established in October 2014. The program has seen nearly 100 more students taking advantage of program offerings. Additionally, many community members are now seeking assistance in connecting current and former foster youth with Butte College. This increase in demand in student need is challenging and requires a full-time secretary and full-time academic counselor. Additionally, the program plans significant expansion in the coming year with the creation of a mentoring program, a summer bridge program, and increases in outreach and recruitment. The program secretary is unable to meet the demands of the job in twenty four hours per week, as evidenced by her many hours of CTO time. Additionally, her coordination assistance will be essential over the summer for Summer Bridge.		Student Equity		Maintaining core programs and services Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Improving access, success, and completion of targeted student populations through the implementation of the Student Equity Plan
4	Inspiring Scholars	Operating Expenses	To Be Established	54500	$0.00	$20,000.00
Supplies	Funding needed for basic operating expenses; printer paper, printer cartridges, postage, etc. Funding is also needed for program activities to increase retention, persistence, and completion of foster youth attending Butte College.		Student Equity		Maintaining core programs and services Improving access, success, and completion of targeted student populations through the implementation of the Student Equity Plan Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals
5	Inspiring Scholars		To Be Established	54500	$0.00	$2,000.00
School supplies & books for students	To support students whose financial aid is not yet available.		Student Equity		Addressing a shortfall identified during Student Learning (or administrative unit) Outcomes Assessment Improving access, success, and completion of targeted student populations through the implementation of the Student Equity Plan