PERSPECTIVES ON THE BARRIERS ENCOUNTERED BY FOSTER YOUTH AT THE HIGHER EDUCATION LEVEL

The foster youth is a population in the child welfare arena where social workers continue to work and engage in providing effective and supportive resources. This population already vulnerable due to traumatic experiences, continue to lift the veil and fight against all odds. As change agents, we recognize their perspectives are critical to understanding and creating changes that will grant these youth higher academic success rates. This qualitative research includes thirteen open-ended questions regarding the perspectives of eleven former and current foster youth participants. Participants were provided the opportunity to identify the barriers they have face or are facing while attempted, attending and/or completing higher education. This insight provides an understanding of the views and obstacles that impede foster youths’ academic careers. Researchers distinguished barriers and explored options for these youths to meet higher academic success rates. Foster youths’ voices will be heard and will have a lasting imprint on students moving forward