@article{ref1,
title="Exploring youth voices in a pre-college program: implications for policy, practice & research",
journal="Child abuse and neglect",
year="2021",
author="Jackson, M. Sebrena and Dozier, Krystal and Colvin, Alex D. and Bullock, Angela N.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Youth transitioning from foster care to college face multiple obstacles. Pre-college programs can promote college access for underrepresented students. The research on pre-college programs that prepare foster youth for college is limited. There is a paucity of research that illuminates youth voices in pre-college programs. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: This article reviews key program components of a pre-college summer program designed specifically for youth transitioning from foster care, the National Social Work Enrichment Program (NSEP). <br><br>FINDINGS from a qualitative research study of NSEP are presented. Implications for policy, practice, and research for pre-college programs are discussed. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Fourteen youth, who successfully completed NSEP and had enrolled in college following the program, participated in the study. <br><br>METHODS: Participants completed semi-structured interviews via a video conferencing tool. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo 12. <br><br>RESULTS: Thematic analysis captured youth voices, highlighted in the themes: college aspirations, college preparation, and community building. <br><br>RESULTS suggest NSEP youth aspired to enroll in college. <br><br>RESULTS also suggests that the NSEP experience helped to prepare youth for college and facilitated the development of community among participants. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Investment in pre-college programs could provide the right support and resources that youth need to transition from foster care to college. Pre-college programs provide an opportunity for youth to develop college readiness skills, build relationship skills, and grow personally. Further research on the efficacy of pre-college programs is needed.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0145-2134",
doi="10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105126",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105126"
}