ACE Scholar Services is designed to recruit, support, and sustain emancipated foster youth through university studies to achieve the college degrees and personal development needed for productive careers in society. ACE Scholar Services envisions a unique approach in ensuring outreach and retention for Emancipated Foster Youth in our service region. ACE Scholar Services encompasses services from the point of admission to graduation, focusing on instilling in each participant the motivation and commitment to achieve their educational goals.  This approach is unique and is accomplished through the following program services; a Summer Bridge Program; a structured First Year Experience; Supplemental Instruction; Academic and Skill-Based Workshops; Learning Communities; Educational Counseling; and Student Development activities.   Additionally, ACE Scholar Services brings foster care collaborators across the county together to ensure the success of these programs. ACE Scholars Services envisions a three pronged approach to ensuring outreach and retention for Emancipated Foster Youth in our services region.

1) College Connection: In collaboration with the Foster Youth Regional Alliance, ACE  Scholar Services will host the annual ** College Connection: Making College a Reality conference to bring foster youth from 9-12th grades to the campus for a one-day conference on Friday, Oct. 26, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the campus of Cal State San Marcos.  Topics include achieving college admission, obtaining financial aid, student success and retention services and various vocational and baccalaureate degrees. Students receive breakfast, lunch, and educational materials at no cost.

2) Guardian Scholars (modeled after Cal State Fullerton): Cal State San Marcos has launched a pilot program in collaboration with the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation (www.capfsd.org) to provide scholarships of up to $5,000 per year. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and follow an educational plan that includes personal counseling and academic advising. Current funding has limited this to only 6 foster youth in this pilot.

3) ACE Scholars/ACE Health: The goal of the ACE Health Program is to expose Emancipated Foster Youth to a wide range of career options in the health care field. This component has not yet been implemented due to limited staff and funding. 

4) ACE Scholars: ACE Scholars will participate in the Summer Bridge Program; a structured First Year Experience; Supplemental Instruction; Academic and Skill-Based Workshops; Educational Counseling; and Student Development activities. ACE Scholars works closely with University Housing to ensure student housing.

ACE Scholar Services has also developed an Advisory Council that has contributed to the development of outreach and retention activities for foster youth, and offered other creative ideas for future fundraising. The council meets once per semester. This partnership between private and public agencies is designed to achieve synergy that will allow us to further support our students effectively.

Council Members:

Hope Baca, Owner, Now There is Hope, Escondido, CA

Cecelia Blanks, EOP Director, CSUSM

Nathan Evens, Director of Enrollment Management Services CSUSM

John Halcon, Professor, College of Education, CSUSM

Michelle Lustig, Foster Youth Services Coordinator, San Diego County Office of Education

Carol Markstein, Markstein Beverages and board member of San Pasqual Academy

Jim Mickelson, ACE Scholars Services Chair/Vounteer & Social Services Consultant  (Chair)

Stephanie Ortega, Guardian Scholars Coordinator, Child Abuse Prevention Foundation

Karen Nicholson, Director of Student Health & Counseling Services, CSUSM

Judy Papenhausen, Director, School of Nursing, CSUSM

Henry Pennerman, ACE Scholar, CSUSM

Dilcie Perez, Director of Student Life & Leadership, CSUSM
Kathie Ross, Foster Fund Coordinator, Child Abuse Prevention Foundation
Cecilia Schouwe, Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, CSUSM
Debbie Syverson, Crown Consulting & San Pascual Academy Representative      

Susie Terry, Project Supervisor, Foster Youth Services, San Diego County Office of Education