Amy Salazar, MSW, Ph.D., Research Scientist at the Social Development Research Group in the University of Washington School of Social Work discusses the salient factors related to postsecondary retention and the value of a college degree for foster care alumni.

Dr. Salazar has published "The Value of a College Degree for Foster Care Alumni: Comparisons with General Population Samples" and "Supporting College Success in Foster Care Alumni: Salient Factors Related to Postsecondary Retention" that help shape the focus of this webinar.

Amy's area of interest is improving the outcomes of youth aging out of the foster care system, most specifically in relation to increasing access to and success in higher education. She currently works on several research and evaluation projects focusing on improving services and supports for young people in the child welfare system.

Supplemental Readings:

Salazar, A. (2013). The value of a college degree for foster carealumni: Comparisons with general population samples. Social Work, 58(2), 139-150.

Salazar, A. (2012). Supporting college success in foster care alumni: Salient factors related to postsecondary retention. Child Welfare, 91(5), 139-167.

To view the webinar recording and the 2012 article, please click on the links in the right hand column.