The Wayne State University School of Social Work has announced its direct service program for youth with foster care and juvenile justice histories will now be called Champions Aspiring to Make Pathways to Success, or CHAMPS. The program previously was called the Transition to Independence Program, or TIP.

The name change is a result of the CHAMPS program wanting to better illustrate the mission, values, and vision of the program and the Wayne State University students who participate in it. In addition, the program has undergone many organizational and service changes within the last two years and the new name is reflective of that.

Launched in 2012 with funding from the Michigan Department of Human Services, TIP partnered with Detroit-area organizations to provide Wayne State students transitioning out of foster care with professional mentoring, legal representation, financial literacy, health care, and other services. The program employed a full-time life skills coach to provide program participants with additional support and appointed staff - dubbed "foster youth champions" - to serve as liaisons between WSU foster youth and key university offices, including Financial Aid; Counseling and Psychological Services; Career Services; Housing and Residential Life; and the Campus Health Center.

CHAMPS will continue to provide many of the same services, but will broaden specialized services such as targeted outreach, recruitment, and services for boys and young men of color. It will also offer on-site, trauma-focused therapeutic and counseling services.

"Changing the acronym to CHAMPS truly captures the work and dedication both students and staff put forth to remove barriers that inhibit student success at Wayne State University," said Sheryl Kubiak, Dean and Professor of the Wayne State University School of Social Work. "CHAMPS staff unequivocally hold a 'work with, and not for' mantra in its day-to-day operations and coaching model."

A Welcome and Open House for CHAMPS, which now hosts a new website, will be held on Friday, September 28, 2018 from 12 to 2 p.m. All are welcome. For more information and to complete an RSVP visit the WSU Event Calendar here.

About CHAMPS

CHAMPS is an evidence-informed, college access, and retention program for youth ages 18-26 who have "aged-out" of the child welfare system and/or juvenile justice system and are enrolled students at Wayne State University. It has been a direct service program of the School of Social Work since 2011.

CHAMPS will uphold its commitment to increase college access and retention through direct services, outreach, and advocacy efforts and provide wraparound support services to students who have experienced foster care and/or the juvenile justice systems. For more information, please visit champs.wayne.edu.

Contact

Airika Buford, Communications and Outreach Coordinator
5425 Woodward Ave. Ste. 101, Detroit, MI 48202
Office: (313) 577-0433
ar2584@wayne.edu