2021-22 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 (FY) Program at Butte College offers support for Butte College students who were in foster care. The program is funded to support all students who were in foster care at least one day in their lives. Additionally, there is separate funding for CAFYES eligible students (students who were in foster care at any time on or after their 16th birthday and are under age 26). Inspiring scholars works to provide parity for both cohorts of students whenever possible.  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

Program Coordinator's Salary and Benefits- (CAFYES 90%, SEAP 10%)

Amount: 8633.00
Used For Intended Purpose: Yes
Benefit

· Freed up funds for direct services to students

· Institutionalized the position

Accountability Item 2

Inspiring Scholars' Secretary Salary and Benefits (CAFYES 90%, SEAP 10%)

Amount: 5586.00
Used For Intended Purpose: Yes
Benefit

· Freed up funds for direct services to students

· Institutionalized the position

Accountability Item 3

Funding for a Student Employment Program and Childcare for Parenting Foster Youth on Campus-(SEAP 100%)

Amount: 11000.00
Used For Intended Purpose: Yes
Benefit

· Helped 17 former foster youth students get jobs on campus

· Provided a safe, supervised environment for children of former foster youth on campus

· Incorporates time for students to do homework and accomplish academic goals

· Held students accountable by requiring progress reports and remain in 6 units

· Provides on-the-spot parent education

Accountability Item 4

Student Success Specialist (SEAP 100%)

Amount: 46146.00
Used For Intended Purpose: Yes
Benefit

· Provided Needed Academic Support for Foster Youth

· Freed up Program Coordinators time for Program Operations

· Increased Retention Efforts

· Increased Outreach Efforts

Student Learning/Administrative Unit Outcomes

Increase Meaningful Contacts with Inspiring Scholars Students to provide interventions to address academic barriers.

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (Instruction Departments)

n/a

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (All Other Departments)

The Inspiring Scholars department helps meet the Vision for Success goals in the following ways:

Focus of equity and inclusion - foster youth are underrepresented in Community Colleges and have disproportionate outcomes in comparision to their peers.
Basic needs - providing food and financial assistance in the form of grants and giftcards as well as connecting community resources.
Retention - our high-touch program is aimed at retaining students via deliberate one-on-one appointments and events aimed at creating community.
Transfer to CSU & UC - create a pipeline for foster youth from community colleges to universites by creating partnerships with surrounding CSU's.
Mentoring - creating relationships with experienced students and incoming students to ensure a successful college experience.
Case Management - our dedicated counselor ensures students follow their education plan and are not taking unnessary units.

Strategic Direction


"Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement" through participating in evidenced-based trainings on supporting foster youth provided by John Burton Advocates for Youth and other agencies
"Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning" through Continuing to apply for and manage grants and/or projects aligned with college and program priorities
"Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness" through informing faculty, staff, and students about the unique needs of foster youth

Program Review

Recommendations and actions still to be addressed:

Staffing – 1) Due to CAFYES program requirements (mandatory student appointments) and an increasing demand for one-on-one counseling, it is recommended an additional part-time counselor be hired, or to convert the current part-time counseling position into a full-time position. This would ensure regulatory compliance, as well as the potential to expand services such as providing more workshops and increasing a counseling presence for foster youth at the Chico and Glenn Centers. 2) It is also recommended that a part-time classified position is created and filled to advocate and liaison between the program and external entities, while holding offices in the Chico and Glenn centers. This position would also be responsible for recruitment and outreach efforts. A Full-Time Student Success Specialist was hired to help address staffing demands
Equipment & Facilities – 1) Build office(s) or whisper room(s) within the center to maintain confidentiality during counseling sessions. 2) Purchase laptops and other equipment to facilitate a lending system. Remodeling of the space was completed in the Summer of 2019 to create private offices and address this concerns.
Services & Resources – 1) Provide more in-house tutoring hours dedicated to college-level Math and English completion. 2) Increase workshop offerings focused on academic success. 3) Purchase and issue ILP Store vouchers. 5) Purchase and issue book vouchers (up to $500) every semester to qualifying students. Statistics tutoring is now being offered at Inspiring Scholars and the Student Success Specialist is assisting with English Tutoring
Student Learning Outcomes – Because program goals are solely focused on quantitative outcomes (e.g. retention, course completion, degree attainment and transfer rates), it is recommended to establish, measure and reflect upon qualitative-based SLOs that can help drive program decision making.
Structure & Student Accountability – 1) Solicit support from EOPS to launch the CAFYES program; establishing policies and procedures. 2) Establish participation requirements for all students (i.e. consequences for missed appointments), including rules of conduct while in the center. Inspiring Scholars and EOPS are now fully integrated programs.
Advisory Committee - Re-establish an advisory committee comprised of internal and external entities to maximize resources and strategize to better prepare students for academic and career success. An advisory committee has been re-established.
Technology - Implement technological solutions to increase engagement, message, market, and collect data (e.g. SARS and new forms of social media). Inspiring Scholars is utlizing social media, Office 365, and Remind.Com to increase engagement and marketing.

Department Goals

Inspiring Scholars has the following goals for the 20-21:

Grow Peer Mentoring Program
Increase Foster Youth Student Employment on Campus
Institutionalize Inspiring Scholars Program
Increase Number of CAFYES Students Served
Reinstate the Faculty/Staff mentoring program

Future Development Strategies

Strategy 1 - Peer Mentoring

Increase participation of Peer Mentoring program that began in Fall 2019.

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and 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. Studies also show mentors also benefit from being mentors, providing help for two students at the same time.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: Yes
Supports Course level SLOs: Yes
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: Yes
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: Yes
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: Yes
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: Yes

Strategy 2 - Increase Foster Youth Student Employment on Campus

Increase Outreach and Secure Funding to Increase Foster Youth Student Employment on Campus (ON HOLD FOR 20-21 due to COVID-19 online learning)

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

During the Fall 2018 semester we integrated an Inspiring Scholars Work-Study Program, which is only available to CAFYES students, leaving 3 out of 4 foster youth unable to participate. We have secured SEAP funding for non-CAFYES students.

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.

Strategy 3 - Institutionalize Inspiring Scholars Program

Establish a sustainable source of funding for program operating expenses.

Initiatives

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

Supporting Rationale

With continuing changes to the State and College budgets, it is important to continue to seek secure and sustainable program funding to be able to continue to support this student population. The Inspiring Scholars operating budget is funded by CAFYES and other categorical funds and ideally we would like it institutionalized.

Strategy 4 - Reinstate the Faculty/Staff mentoring program

Reinstate the Faculty/Staff Mentor Program beginning Fall 2020; training will happen in Summer 2020. (ON HOLD for 20-21 due to COVID-19 online learning)

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

Mentoring has been demonstrated to improve retention and completion and aligns closely with Inspiring Scholars goals.
Most foster youth lack positive role models in thier lives.
Raises awareness about the unique challenges of the foster youth population on campus.
Helps institutionalize the program.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Course level SLOs: Yes
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: Yes
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: Yes
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: Yes
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: Yes

Strategy 5 - Increase Number of CAFYES Students Served

Increase recruitment and retention of CAFYES Eligible students

Initiatives

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

Supporting Rationale

Inspiring Scholars received funding to support CAFYES foster youth - those students who were in care at age 16 and who are under the age of 26. We would like to increase recruitment and retention of these students. We would also like to increase the number of eligible students who seek support through Inspiring Scholars, but don't end up becoming CAFYES students. These students are vulnerable and could use additional academic support. By reaching these students, we can provide them funding and resources to allow them to succeed in college.

Strategy 6 - Investigate a partnership with Butte County ILP to provide living skills to students and increase awareness of and connection to

Investigate a partnership with Butte County ILP to provide living skills to students and increase awareness of and connection to Inspiring Scholars

Initiatives

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

Supporting Rationale

Inspiring Scholars has realized student success requires a holistic approach. Our program has focused strongly on maintaining community. We also see a need for students to increase their understanding of budgeting, study skills, mental health wellness, etc. to be confident and successful adults. Other programs have partnered with their local ILP programs to help support students in these areas and have increased retention and student success.

Strategy 7 - Incentivize contacts with staff members to increase outcomes of students who are less likely to seek support from a staff member

To increase retention, increase staff contacts with all students to provide early interventions.

Initiatives

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

Supporting Rationale

Inspiring Scholars has observed that some students are excellent at seeking support from staff members. Others are less likely to seek support. Sometimes staff members learn too late of an issue with a student that, if caught earlier, could have allowed a student to remain in college. Inspiring Scholars plans to incentivize contacts with staff members for students who would be less likely to seek support. We would also like to provide incentives for students to take existing Critical Skills Workshops through the Center for Academic Success.

Strategy 8 - Continue to provide Statistics tutoring/support

Provide tutoring and academic support for Inspiring Scholars students enrolled in statistics

Initiatives

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

Supporting Rationale

Statistics is an extremely important class for foster youth. This class must be passed for students to transfer to a four-year university. Student Equity data has revealed that Foster Youth continue to have low passing rates in statistics as compared with their peers. Student Success Specialist, Eddie Aguiar, will identify

Inspiring Scholars students enrolled in statistics and offer tutoring and, if possible, audit a statistics class with Inspiring Scholars students to provide imbedded support.

Requested Non-Financial Resources

N/A

Current Financial Resources

Walter S. Johnson Foundation- $18,000 Rollover of original grant funds which ended in December of 2016.

YESS-ILP Grant- $22,500 annually for activities supporting the educational, financial, daily living, and employment education of current and former foster youth attending Butte College. Grant secured October of 2016.

Student Equity and Achievment (SEAP) Funding- Currently Funding the amounts below:

Vance Edwards-10%, $9,667.00
Susan Roberts-10%, $6,522.00
Eddie Aguilar- $72,910.00 (Full-Time Student Success Specialist)
Non-CAFYES Student Support- $18,901.00

EOPS Funding-Currently providing textbook credit and 50% funding of Kia Vang, the academic counselor assigned to Inspiring Scholars.

CAFYES-For the 20-21 Year providing $667,000 for funding of salaries and program operations to serve students who were in foster care at age 16 and are under the age of 26.

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	Operating Expenses	To Be Established	54500	$0.00	$10,000.00
School supplies & textbooks for students	Inspiring Scholars is anticipating a large reduction in budget due to declining enrollment. The program will need funding to continue to support students.		Student Equity and Achievement Program		Implementing the 2019-2020 Strategic Direction Priorities Meeting Vision for Success Goals Addressing Program Review Recommendations Closing Equity Gaps Meeting enrollment targets Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Fostering a Culture of Inclusiveness Improving Processes: a. Data and Reporting; b. Internal Communications Health/Life/Safety Strategic enrollment growth Diversity, equity and inclusion
2	Inspiring Scholars	Operating Expenses	To Be Established	54500	$0.00	$20,000.00
Operating Budget for Supplies	Inspiring Scholars is anticipating a large reduction in budget due to declining enrollment. The program will need funding to continue to support students.		Student Equity and Achievement Program		Implementing the 2019-2020 Strategic Direction Priorities Meeting Vision for Success Goals Addressing Program Review Recommendations Implementing Guided Pathways: a. Strategic Scheduling; b. Hobsons Starfish Closing Equity Gaps Meeting enrollment targets Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Fostering a Culture of Inclusiveness Improving Processes: a. Data and Reporting; b. Internal Communications Health/Life/Safety Strategic enrollment growth Diversity, equity and inclusion
3	Inspiring Scholars	Personnel	To Be Established	52368	$0.00	$18,901.00
Increase Foster Youth Student Employment On Campus	Student Employment supports program outreach and retention, while benefiting those receiving student employment funds.		Student Equity and Achievement Program		Meeting Vision for Success Goals Implementing the 2019-2020 Strategic Direction Priorities Addressing Program Review Recommendations Closing Equity Gaps Meeting enrollment targets Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Fostering a Culture of Inclusiveness Improving Processes: a. Data and Reporting; b. Internal Communications Health/Life/Safety Strategic enrollment growth Diversity, equity and inclusion
4	Inspiring Scholars	Personnel	122587021601000	52110	$0.00	$97,130.00
Institutionalize Program Coordinator	The full-time Program Coordinator is currently being funded through CAFYES. Institutionalizing this position is needed to provide long-term program security for foster youth.		Student Equity and Achievement Program		Implementing the 2019-2020 Strategic Direction Priorities Meeting Vision for Success Goals Addressing Program Review Recommendations Implementing Guided Pathways: a. Strategic Scheduling; b. Hobsons Starfish Closing Equity Gaps Meeting enrollment targets Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Fostering a Culture of Inclusiveness Improving Processes: a. Data and Reporting; b. Internal Communications Health/Life/Safety Strategic enrollment growth Diversity, equity and inclusion
5	Inspiring Scholars	Personnel	122587021601000	52120	$0.00	$58,656.00
Institutionalize Secretary II Position	Inspiring Scholars has grown tremendously since being established in October 2014. The program has seen many 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. The full-time Secretary is currently being funded through CAFYES. Institutionalizing this position is needed to provide long-term program security for foster youth.		Student Equity and Achievement Program		Addressing Program Review Recommendations Meeting Vision for Success Goals Implementing the 2019-2020 Strategic Direction Priorities Implementing Guided Pathways: a. Strategic Scheduling; b. Hobsons Starfish Closing Equity Gaps Meeting enrollment targets Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Fostering a Culture of Inclusiveness Improving Processes: a. Data and Reporting; b. Internal Communications Health/Life/Safety Strategic enrollment growth Diversity, equity and inclusion
6	Inspiring Scholars	Personnel	SEAP	51490	$0.00	$57,375.00
Dedicated Academic Counselor for Foster Youth	Dedicated academic counseling will lead to increased retention, faster course completion and graduation rates, and a more meaningful college experience for foster youth at Butte College.		Strong Workforce Student Equity and Achievement Program		Implementing the 2019-2020 Strategic Direction Priorities Meeting Vision for Success Goals Addressing Program Review Recommendations Implementing Guided Pathways: a. Strategic Scheduling; b. Hobsons Starfish Closing Equity Gaps Meeting enrollment targets Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Fostering a Culture of Inclusiveness Improving Processes: a. Data and Reporting; b. Internal Communications Implementing AB 705 Health/Life/Safety Strategic enrollment growth Diversity, equity and inclusion
7	Inspiring Scholars	Equipment			$25,000.00	$0.00
Replace Staff & Student Assistant Desktop Computers	Desktop computers are outdated and need to be replaced.		Student Equity and Achievement Program		Meeting Vision for Success Goals Addressing Program Review Recommendations Closing Equity Gaps Meeting enrollment targets Fostering a Culture of Inclusiveness Improving Processes: a. Data and Reporting; b. Internal Communications Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Health/Life/Safety Strategic enrollment growth Diversity, equity and inclusion Implementing the 2019-2020 Strategic Direction Priorities