By Eric Stock
NORMAL – Illinois State University has been researching children in foster care, specifically the challenge they face in getting a college degree, as only six percent of foster youth graduate from college.
ISU’s Director of the Center for Adoption Studies Doris Houston said it’s something she hadn’t thought much about until she started studying the matter with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and she said it opened her eyes.
“I’ve become aware of the need for this population of young adults who essentially when they turn 18 many are on their own with very little support,” Houston said.
She added many come from low-income households.
“Then you also add on top of that issue perhaps a history of trauma due to abuse and neglect and then also unstable living environment sometimes,” Houston said.
Houston noted there are few schools that offer programs that specifically help those who come out of foster homes and that’s mostly through private donations and grants.
ISU will host a public presentation entitled ‘Against All Odds’ at 7 p m. Monday at the Student Alumni Center, 1101 N. Main St. Three one-time foster children who are now research assistants at ISU will present their findings. The presentation is free.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
