FSM Quarterly Newsletter Volume 98

Volume 98 | Spring 2021

The Annual Michigan Teen Conference is geared toward youth between the ages of 14 and 23 who have experience in foster care, their caregivers, and agency caseworkers. The conference gives youth from across Michigan an opportunity to come together to learn, network with other youth and professionals, and plan for their future. This year, the conference is going virtual and will include dynamic keynote speakers, engaging presentations, and inspiring activities all available online! Join us from 4:00PM to 6:00PM daily from June 21-24!

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER!

Professionals and alumni of foster care are invited to submit proposals to present or lead a group activity that will stimulate team-building and engagement! Offer your expertise to Michigan’s youth preparing for adulthood! Submission deadline is May 12, 2021.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD RFP!

FSM Network Podcast Series

NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH: REFLECTIONS FROM THE FSM AMBASSADORS

FSM AMBASSADORS: AYA, MICHAEL, AND BRINA

The FSM Ambassadors recently produced a podcast focused on National Foster Care Awareness Month. Please join us for this frank conversation where we discuss ways young people with experience in foster care recognize this month, thoughts on how organizations highlight it, and what they hope to see from policymakers, legislators and influencers moving forward. Thank you for your work Ambassadors!!

LISTEN NOW!

Student Spotlight

MICHIGAN TEEN CONFERENCE: 2019 T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST WINNER...

ARIELLE D.

Congratulations to FSM Ambassador Arielle D. on winning the 2019 Michigan Teen Conference T-Shirt Design Contest! Because the 2021 event will be held virtually, no t-shirts will be printed for distribution this year. Instead the conference committee will showcase Arielle's design on promotional materials, Facebook, and in the conference program! Great work Arielle!

Resource Spotlight

FSM STATEWIDE VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIR TOOLKIT

FosteringSuccessMichigan.com

Fostering Success Michigan, in partnership with 25 campuses across the state, hosted two statewide virtual college fairs in October 2020 and March 2021. These virtual events focused on connecting youth with experience in foster care to college resources and support. Over 200 students participated in the fairs! A toolkit is now available that includes resources from the fair! Check it out and share it with your students to facilitate conversations about college!

CHECK OUT THE TOOLKIT!

Policy Spotlight

FOSTERING POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS FOR FOSTER AND HOMELESS YOUTH ACT

H.R. 2028

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) recently introduced H.R. 2028, The Fostering Postsecondary Success for Foster and Homeless Youth Act, to Congress. This legislation would create a program through the U.S. Department of Education, profiling colleges and universities that are ‘Foster and Homeless Youth Friendly,’ and a national center to assist those institutions in their practice. Fostering Success Michigan is in support of this legislation, alongside many campus based support programs, statewide initiatives, nonprofit agencies, and advocacy organizations nationally! Please consider taking action in support of this legislation by reaching out to your representatives and asking them to sign on as cosponsors for this bipartisan initiative to support college access and success for youth with experience in foster care!

LEARN MORE ABOUT H.R. 2028

Scholarship Spotlight

FOSTERING FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP

APPLICATION DUE BY JUNE 30, 2021

The Fostering Futures Scholarship provides funding to students who have experienced foster care in Michigan on or after age 13. Students must also demonstrate financial need to qualify.

Eligibility requirements:

Student must have been in Michigan foster care due to abuse/neglect on or after their 13th birthday.
Enroll at least half-time at a participating institution.
Student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate financial need.
Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee.
For renewal, student must meet institution's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.
Not be in default on a Federal student loan.
There is no maximum age restriction for the student.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY!

Fostering Success Michigan is a statewide initiative that aims to increase access and success in higher education and careers for students with experience in foster care

Visit our Website

FSM Email Address: FSM@thenewfostercare.org

FSM Office Phone: (269)823-4104

Physical Address: 1615 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Twp, MI 48302