For Iowa teens who age out of foster care, it can be difficult to know what to do next. Our Fostering Futures in Education program is a voluntary program for young people ages 17-23.

This program includes

• Opportunities to explore post-secondary opportunities for education, training and employment
• Support for completion of high school diploma or equivalent
• Mentoring with area professionals
• Education about available education options, including traditional college and hands-on training programs

Fostering Futures in Education is free and voluntary.

Who can participate

Youth ages 17 and older who

• Are in foster care now or who recently aged out of foster care
• Have not yet completed high school (ideally are near the end of their junior year) or those who are working on a high school equivalent (GED or HiSED)
• Have not ruled out continuing their education beyond high school

Contact

Clare Dieter, Fostering Futures in Education Advocate
319-361-2292 or cdieter@foundation2.org

 

A 19-year-old young women, who had a young child, participated in Fostering Futures in Education in FY24. Over the last two years, she’d tried repeatedly to pass the high school equivalency math test. Even with tutors and classes, she struggled due to high anxiety and feelings of failure from her previous attempts.

Her education coordinator with Fostering Futures worked to arrange test accommodations. With the extra support, she passed. After two years of being stuck on one test, she received her diploma and was able to apply to college in the fall.