Education

Combating Summer Melt Amid a Pandemic

Last updated Jul, 16 2020

Summer is a crucial time for foster youth transitioning from high school to college. Even in normal times, large numbers of foster youth who intended to go to college do not arrive for the first day of class, a phenomenon known as “summer melt.” During the pandemic summer of 2020 the risk of foster youth losing sight of their academic goals was greater than ever.

This webinar provided concrete suggestions to how adult supporters could support foster youth to stay on track with their college plans during these months. Topics covered include strategies for managing mental health needs, securing housing access, and navigating the nuts and bolts of matriculation.