What is Next Steps?
The Next Steps Project is part of FOTC's Successful Futures Initiative to better support youth through their graduation and transition into adulthood: it is an opportunity for program juniors, seniors, and recent graduates to get some additional support and structure in that planning process. Each youth who signs up will receive:
- Support applying for an IDA (Individual Development Account), which maximizes postsecondary scholarship savings.
- A volunteer "near-peer" Next Steps Coach who is a college student on a relevant career path to that youth's interests.
What are the logistics and timeline — where/when/how does this happen?
For the 2016-2017 school year, youth need to sign up for the Next Steps Project by Tuesday, November 4th at the absolute latest. Once a youth signs up, the coordinator will get in touch with them and with you to learn:
While the coordinator is recruiting and training coaches, all youth will attend Financial Literacy workshops every Wednesday at Teenspace (November 5th through December 17th, 2014) to fulfill the education requirement to qualify for IDA savings.
After youth return from Winter Break in January 2014, they will continue meeting every Wednesday during Teenspace—this time with their coaches to discuss and plan their Next Steps after high school.
For more detail about the 2014-2015 Next Steps Project timeline, get in touch with the coordinator.
- When they expect to complete high school,
- What their plans, goals, or ideas are for after graduation, and
- Whether they have preferences about their coach (e.g. only want to work with a female).
While the coordinator is recruiting and training coaches, all youth will attend Financial Literacy workshops every Wednesday at Teenspace (November 5th through December 17th, 2014) to fulfill the education requirement to qualify for IDA savings.
After youth return from Winter Break in January 2014, they will continue meeting every Wednesday during Teenspace—this time with their coaches to discuss and plan their Next Steps after high school.
For more detail about the 2014-2015 Next Steps Project timeline, get in touch with the coordinator.
But isn't that my job? I work on this stuff with my youth already... Why would they want a "Coach" too?
The idea behind recruiting a Next Steps Coach to work with your youth is to support and supplement — not to replicate — the work that you do. If you have a youth who wants to attend PCC, for example, they could meet regularly with a current student who will, of course:
In other words, the Coach role is sort of like a math tutor: they can help your youth work and plan through specific activities, such as submitting the FAFSA, that absolutely need to get done but might not feel like the most valuable use of your time together.
- Be familiar with the bureaucracy, cultural/academic climate, and available resources at PCC,
- Know realistic & current information about logistical necessities that the youth will need to plan for (such as the cost of housing nearby campus, what sorts of student jobs are available, etc.),
- Be a friendly face on campus when that youth starts class.
In other words, the Coach role is sort of like a math tutor: they can help your youth work and plan through specific activities, such as submitting the FAFSA, that absolutely need to get done but might not feel like the most valuable use of your time together.
Who are the coaches? How are they selected and trained?
Once a youth signs up to participate in Next Steps (deadline Friday, Oct. 31 for the 2014-2015 school year), the coordinator will interview both them and you (the mentor) to learn about what ideas and aspirations they have for their own future, and recruit a college student with relevant interests to coach them.
For example, if a youth wants to become an EMT, the coordinator will try and find a dedicated student on that career track to volunteer as their coach. Most coaches will be recruited from Portland Community College or Portland State University.
After being screened and interviewed, all volunteer coaches will need to pass a background check and sign confidentiality agreements. Finally, they will be trained in strengths-based empowerment practices for adolescents, learn about the FOTC community and mission, and given Next Steps Coach Handbooks for further resources.
For example, if a youth wants to become an EMT, the coordinator will try and find a dedicated student on that career track to volunteer as their coach. Most coaches will be recruited from Portland Community College or Portland State University.
After being screened and interviewed, all volunteer coaches will need to pass a background check and sign confidentiality agreements. Finally, they will be trained in strengths-based empowerment practices for adolescents, learn about the FOTC community and mission, and given Next Steps Coach Handbooks for further resources.
What is the impact on my workload? What is my involvement?
As with anything in the Friends of the Children community, the amount of time mentors spend helping their youth access Next Steps will vary per individual. Our intention is that meeting with their Next Steps coach will enable youth to take important action steps like submitting financial aid forms, researching and applying to training/education programs, etc. which should free up your time together each month to focus on other important activities. We understand, however, that taking care of logistics like finding transportation to Teenspace may fall onto your plate. Please communicate with the coordinator to strategize how to get the most out of Next Steps, with the least amount of hassle or stress!
Can my youth sign up for an IDA without having a Next Steps coach, or vice versa?
Youth do not have to sign up for an IDA to have a Next Steps Coach. They need to have a coach, however, to sign up for an IDA; coaches can help youth with the actual process of getting the IDA account set up and, more importantly, write a "game-plan" for how scholarship savings will be spent.
I still have questions.
Get in touch with the coordinator!