ACE Program Model
The ACE Scholars Services program logic model was developed to help inform and guide support programs seeking to improve higher education outcomes for former foster youth. In partnership with Dr. Madeline Lee, Associate Professor, CSUSM Department of Social Work, the ACE Model details the program's main components grounded in social work values that articulate how the program should work.
More information can be found in the article published in the NASW Press journal Social Work:
Madeline Y Lee, James Mickelson, Leigh Quijada, Laurie Orr, Transforming Lives of Former Foster Youths: A Campus-Based Support Program Grounded in Social Work Values, Social Work, Volume 66, Issue 3, July 2021, Pages 217–225, https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swab024.
ACE Scholar Services Program Logic Model
- Assumptions:
- Higher education will provide foster youth with tools for self-determination of their own lives
- Relationship-based support and encouragement from a person-in-environment perspective will help to eliminate barriers former foster youth face
- Focusing on the strengths and the future of former foster youth will enhance their capacity to address their own needs, thus creating social change
- Inputs:
- ACE Scholars
- Staff, including LCSWs
- Campus climate of acceptance and inclusion of foster youth
- Campus partners
- Community partners
- Office and student space at the Center for ACE Scholars
- Support from university administration
- Financial support
- Activities:
- Encourage and assist foster youth to prepare for college
- Facilitate the transition from high school or community college to university
- Provide Support services for college success
- Facilitate the transition from college to workforce or graduate school
- Assure stable and consistent services through program self-sufficiency
- Outputs
- Increased number of ACE Scholars
- A supportive campus climate for ACE Scholars' success
- Funded budget
- Outcomes:
- Increased persistence rate among ACE Scholars
- Increased number of degrees conferred upon ACE Scholars
- Impact:
- Improved life trajectories for former foster youth