The National Research Collaborative for Foster Alumni and Higher Education (NRC-FAHE) is a network of researchers and practitioners committed to enhancing practices and shaping policies to support foster youth and alumni in higher education. The NRC-FAHE facilitates collaboration among interdisciplinary experts to improve access, retention, and success in postsecondary education for students with foster care experience. The NRC-FAHE emphasizes innovative approaches to leveraging research and incorporating the voices of the youth with lived experiences to inform policy decisions.
Upcoming April & May webinars!
Our April webinar will be held Thursday April 30th, 2026, 1-2pm Pacific time (4-5pm Eastern time). The presenters will be Debbie Riley (CEO) and Dawn Wilson (Director of Training Institute) of the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.). Their presentation is entitled “Improving Mental Health Outcome for Foster Alumni in Higher Education.” This presentation will present evidence-informed, web-based specialized training for providers to address the mental health challenges of youth with experiences of foster care, adoption and kinship care, as well as findings from a multi-year evaluation of the impact of training on participants. Recommendations will include how to infuse this training into campus-based college support programs and counseling programs to improve educational outcomes for foster alumni.
April Webinar Registration Link: Register here for April webinar!
Our May webinar will be held Tuesday May 12th, 2026, noon-1pm Pacific time (3-4pm Eastern time). The presenter will be Kara Graham, Graduate Research Associate in the College Impact Laboratory at The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. Candidate in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Her presentation is “Budgeting Blind Spots: Examining Off-Campus Living Allowances and Poverty”. Drawing on comparisons with the Supplemental Poverty Measure, this work provides an assessment of institutional off‑campus living allowances at public two- and four-year institutions to evaluate their adequacy and equity.
May Webinar Registration Link: Register here for May webinar!
Campus-based College Support Programs Guide
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We created a guide listing the different colleges across the US who offer a campus-based support program specifically for Foster Care Alumni and other independent students!
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Stay informed about innovative support programs for foster care alumni in higher education by subscribing to the NRC-FAHE quarterly newsletter!
Our newsletter highlights groundbreaking research, innovative college campus initiatives that offer vital support to students with foster care backgrounds—featuring insights from students with lived experience—along with critical policy updates and upcoming events and learning opportunities.
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