TAPLINK

Support for
Pennsylvania
Adoptive & Foster Families

Taproot issue 41 - November 2001

Casey Family Programs and Orphan Foundation of America

Each year, more than 25,000 youth attempt to make the transition from foster care to self-sufficiency as they reach age 18. Only half finish high school, and about 11% go on to college or vocational education much lower rates than national averages.

Through a new post-secondary education scholarship program, The Casey Family Programs will provide up to $10,000 per year to under the age of 25 who have spent at least 12 months in foster care and were not subsequently adopted.

The awards will be renewable each year, based on satisfactory progress and financial need. The Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) will administer the programs, and the recipients will also receive ongoing support through OFA’s E-Mentor Program. OFA scholarship coordinators will match each student with a trained, screened adult who will interact with the student via e-mail, letters, and phone calls on a weekly basis to address specific issues faced by young people without parental support, including money management and life skills.

Casey Family Programs, begun in 1966 by UPS founder Jim Casey, supports foster children, birth families, and foster parents with direct services. OFA, a national nonprofit organization established in 1981 by a former foster youth, began awarding post-secondary scholarships to foster youth in 1991.

To date, OFA has awarded over $1.3 million to students in 46 states, according to Eileen McCaffrey, OFA’s executive director. For more information on this and other OFA scholarships programs, visit www.orphan.org/casey.html or call 800.950.4673.