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Child Maltreatment Solutions Network at Penn State

For many youth in the foster care system, continuing their education at the collegiate level may seem out of reach.

The Fostering Lions Program was founded in 2018 to provide support, critical university services, and help developing skills for post-graduation success to Penn State students who were previously in foster care.

Click here to see/read the complete piece.


Child Maltreatment Solutions Network at Penn State

For many Penn State students, a helping hand or word of guidance is as close as a phone call to Mom or Dad. Care packages show up at their dorm room regularly, and they come to college equipped with all the school supplies they might need.

Students who grew up in the foster-care system often aren’t so lucky—but that doesn’t mean Penn State students are left to figure things out on their own. The Fostering Lions Program helps fill in the gap of care and resources that former foster youth may experience.

Click here for the full article.


Child Maltreatment Solutions Network at Penn State

There are not enough "thank yous" for the donations from the Penn State Parents Program for support of the Fostering Lions Program-- you rock!!!  This allowed students get a package to get them through finals week!


Child Maltreatment Solutions Network at Penn State

Penn State Fostering Lions Program guides foster care youth through postsecondary education

Penn State’s Fostering Lions Program, which operates through the Child Maltreatment Solutions Network, provides support for foster youth in postsecondary education. Students who are in or have been in foster care or have experienced homelessness in their youth involved with Children and Youth Services are eligible for the program.

Cheri McConnell, the coach of the Fostering Lions Program, has worked with the program since its start in fall 2018 and has been working for the solutions network since 2016. McConnell said the program has “doubled since last spring,” with around 50 students involved.

Click here to read the complete article.


Child Maltreatment Solutions Network at Penn State

This fall will be the first cohort of students for the Lenfest Immensitas Scholars Program run through the Fostering Lions Program.

The Scholarship program will provide support for youth from the Philadelphia region in foster care and aging out of foster care.

Click here to read about this new opportunity for students attending Penn State!!


Child Maltreatment Solutions Network at Penn State

As we start spring semester 2021 -- I want to send out a  huge thank you to the points of contact folks at the commonwealth campuses that assist me in support of the 47 students in the program! Thank you, also, to the FLP Support Committee at UP.  Without all of you - I wouldn't be able to support the students the way I do~Cheri


Child Maltreatment Solutions Network at Penn State

Fostering Lions Program receives scholarship to assist students

The Rohrbach/Shuey Family Scholarship will provide support to students to help reduce their debt to cover room and board expenses.


Child Maltreatment Solutions Network at Penn State

A HUGE thank you to Penn State Golden Key and the Centre County Orphan Care Alliance for the great donation of clothing that will allow me to have my first "zoom" fashion show.

Your support of the Fostering Lions Program is appreciated!!


Child Maltreatment Solutions Network at Penn State

Fostering Lions program to support foster youths on Penn State's campus


Child Maltreatment Solutions Network at Penn State

‘Trust is huge.’ How a Penn State foster care support group reaches students in need


Child Maltreatment Solutions Network at Penn State

'Fostering Lions' program connects foster youth with opportunity at Penn State

Program offers support, resources and guidance to foster youth at Penn State campuses.

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