Illinois State University

With grants totaling $250,000 from DCFS and a private donor, Illinois State’s Center for Child Welfare and Adoption Studies is establishing a First Star Academy at the University, which will help prepare high school-aged youth in foster care for college.

First Star at Illinois State University serves college-bound foster youth in Central Illinois and includes monthly Saturday enrichment classes, year round academic mentoring, life skills classes, and caregiver engagement. Program participants also reside on the campus of ISU for three weeks during the summer as part of a campus immersion program.