Information about & Resources for Foster Alumni

Oklahoma currently has over 10,000 youths in foster care. At age 18, foster kids age out of the system. RisforThursday, derived from "R is for Thursday," is reaching out as a statewide network with multiple functions for foster alumni and much information upon which Oklahomans can act. 

Foster youths and foster alumni need mentors, too.

Watch the video Re-moved below. Utilize the resources. Subscribe to the RisforThursday network.

The RisforThursday Statewide Network of Oklahoma

Website: education.okstate.edu/risforthursday

Email: risforthursday@okstate.edu

To be added to our direct email list or to find our public Facebook page: Go to the link available on the front page of our webpage.

Contact information for the people in our network (advocates, DHS educational specialists, etc.): http://education.okstate.edu/risforthursday/network

To attend our annual July RisforThursday Conversation (statewide meeting/update): http://education.okstate.edu/risforthursday/conversation

A fun little video on how we got the RisforThursday name: http://youtu.be/EUGxYdkFX9o

What It Is Like to be a Foster Kid

Please take time to view this painfully accurate (per RisforThursday students) video 

Re-Moved: removedfilm.com

[http://youtu.be/lOeQUwdAjE0 - Alternate link]

Pathways to College

Concurrent enrollment in Oklahoma: 

http://ok.gov/sde/sites/ok.gov.sde/files/Concurrent%20Enrollment%20Brochure.pdf; see also individual college/university websites

Cooperative Alliance Programs: http://www.okcareertech.org/students/cooperative-alliances

Paying for College

Oklahoma Independent Living (for questions, information, etc.): http://www.okil.ou.edu/

Oklahoma Independent Living Tuition Waivers: http://www.okdhs.org/library/policy/oac340/075/06/0110000.htm

Educational Training Voucher (ETV): http://www.nrcyd.ou.edu/etv

Application form for ETV: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ETVApp

Oklahoma’s Promise: http://www.okhighered.org/okpromise/

Oklahoma Youth with Promise Scholarship: https://occf.academicworks.com/opportunities/177

Casey Family Services Foster Care to Success: http://www.fc2success.org/programs/casey-family-scholars/

Contact individual colleges and universities about campus-based dedicated funds for foster alumni

Tutorial for completing the FAFSA (to qualify for Pell Grants, loans, etc.):  

http://www.okil.ou.edu/fafsa-tutorial

Tips for completing the FAFSA for foster youth:  http://www.nasfaa.org/students/Student_Aid_Tips_for_Unique_Student_Populations.aspx

Application form for FAFSA:  https://fafsa.ed.gov/

From Foster Care to College: Facilitating the Journey

Oklahoma School Counseling Association Annual Conference 2014

Special thanks to Dr. Kearney for her tireless efforts on behalf of Oklahoma's foster alumni through creation of and expansion of the RisforThursday network.

kerrikearney, Oklahoma State University,
& the RisforThursday statewide network

Personal communication 11-12-14