Foster youth benefits from education coaches. The Center for Child and Family Studies of USC's College of Social Work has received funding from the Cassels Foundation to pilot a new project aimed at the educational needs of young people living in group homes. Foster youth fail to graduate from high school at twice the rate of the general population and are at increased risk of experiencing poverty and even homelessness as adults.

The Center is recruiting adult volunteers to work one- on- one with a student in the role of "Education Coach." The coach will not be expected to provide all of the needed services for the youth but will coordinate currently available resources and facilitate communication between the school, the group home staff, the youth, and other involved parties to meet educational needs. The work will be accomplished through personal interaction, emails, and phone calls.

Examples of some of the services provided by education coaches are assisting youth in identifying career goals and developing an education plan to achieve these goals, ensuring that youth participate in tutoring opportunities provided by the school, and supporting youth in exploring post- secondary school options.

Teachers are excited about this program. After being contacted by an education coach, one teacher replied, "One- on- one attention makes a big difference to these kids. It is definitely needed"

Education coaches are currently working with two group homes in Columbia, and many volunteers are needed.

In serving as an education coach, a volunteer has a unique opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of a foster youth in a group home setting. The Center for Child and Family Studies is looking for education coaches to begin to work with youth immediately. Contact Toni Jones at The Center for Child and Family Studies College of Social Work University of South Carolina.

(803) 777-1321 Toni.Jones@sc.edu