2018 Project SOAR Grantee Convening

On June 13-14, 2018, Project SOAR grantees and their education navigators gathered in Washington D.C. for a two-day convening. Throughout the convening, expert presenters shared insights on how to effectively engage and support Project SOAR participants as they apply for financial aid and purpose post-secondary educational opportunities. Several Project SOAR grantee teams also delivered Project SOAR TED talks in which they discussed various tactics and strategies they are using to help public housing residents succeed. Videos and presentations from several of the conference's sessions are available below.

AGENDA: View the 2018 Project SOAR Convening's Agenda here

WELCOME: Welcome to the 2018 Project SOAR Conference

Maria-Lana Queen, the Acting Director of HUD's Community and Supportive Services Division, and Dominique Blom, the General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, welcome grantees to the 2018 Project SOAR Grantee Convening.

• Watch the session video here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_TiEnxSdPg&index=9&list=PLDYbj6cykYZ870HfgOh6RjN-E6-gzum7-)

SESSION: Partnerships that Produce Results: How the College Board Can Help PHAs Support Youth

Panelists discuss best practices in resident engagement.

During this panel, representatives from the College Board and the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) discussed how they worked together to help DCHA residents pursue post-secondary education. Farhad Asghar with the College Board also highlighted how housing authorities can use the College Board's resources to assist residents. Amber Petty with the non-profit Everyone On shared additional insights on how to bridge the digital divide to help students prepare for and apply to college.

• Watch the session video here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCFkyNI3X3Y&t=0s&list=
  PLDYbj6cykYZ870HfgOh6RjN-E6-gzum7-&index=12)
• Download the presentation

SESSION: Project SOAR TED Talk: Nudging Students towards College Success

During this Project SOAR TED talk, representatives from the Seattle Housing Authority introduced the concept of "nudges" and described the ways in which they use nudges to encourage students to persist in obtaining their educational goals.

• Watch the session video here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqjGXYevUPU&index=10&list=PLDYbj6cykYZ870HfgOh6RjN-E6-gzum7-)
• Download the presentation

Representatives from the Prichard Housing Authority share advice on choosing a college major.

SESSION: Project SOAR TED Talk: Why Majors Matter

During this Project SOAR TED talk, representatives from the Prichard Housing Authority discussed how they advise students on what to consider when choosing a college major and how that decision can impact their financial aid status and career trajectory.

• Watch the session video here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=73ynBqLa6n0&list=
  PLDYbj6cykYZ870HfgOh6RjN-E6-gzum7-&index=7)
• Download the presentation

SESSION: Financial Literacy 101: How FDIC Resources Can Help Families

Luke Reynolds with the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission (FDIC) discussed how education navigators can use an online financial literacy curriculum to help families improve their financial health.

• Watch the session video here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-kQTMEWSJY&index=3&list=PLDYbj6cykYZ870HfgOh6RjN-E6-gzum7-)
• Download the presentation

SESSION: Helping Students Facing Unique Challenges

On this panel, experts discussed how to help students facing unique challenges pursue post-secondary opportunities. Jill Green with the College Board discussed how to secure testing accommodations and other supports for students with disabilities. Serena Holthe with the National Juvenile Defender Center discussed what youth who have been involved with the justice system need to know when filling out their college applications and applying for financial aid.

• Watch the session video here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r92Ky0WuoU&index=12&list=PLDYbj6cykYZ870HfgOh6RjN-E6-gzum7-)
• Download Jill Green's presentation on helping students with disabilities
• Download Serena Holthe's presentation on supporting students who have been involved with the juvenile justice system

Fred Stennis dispels common FAFSA myths.

SESSION: Federal Student Aid Updates and Resources

Fred Stennis, a Supervisor and Senior Outreach Advisor for the Office of Federal Student Aid, discussed how the U.S. Department of Education supports Project SOAR. Stennis also dispelled common myths about the FAFSA and shared useful resources.

• Watch the session video here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=89oT2ELwbzU&list=
  PLDYbj6cykYZ870HfgOh6RjN-E6-gzum7-&index=x)
• Download the presentation

SESSION: Project SOAR TED Talk: The Impact of Utilizing a Drop in Model

In this talk, education navigators who work with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles described how they utilize a drop-in model to build strong relationships with students and their families.

• Watch the session video here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8hLbOeQEuA&index=5&list=PLDYbj6cykYZ870HfgOh6RjN-E6-gzum7-)

SESSION: Project SOAR TED Talk: Empowering Youth to Advocate for Themselves

In this talk, education navigators from the Chicago Housing Authority discussed how they empower youth to advocate for themselves in difficult situations.

• Watch the session video here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=AojB4lRGyd8&index=4&list=PLDYbj6cykYZ870HfgOh6RjN-E6-gzum7-)
• Download the presentation

SESSION: Project SOAR TED Talk: The Power of Field Trips

In this talk, representatives from the Phoenix Department of Housing described how they utilize field trips to forge relationships with students, provide them with a taste of the college experience, and raise their awareness of different careers.

• Watch the session video here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4F007037-I&index=6&list=PLDYbj6cykYZ870HfgOh6RjN-E6-gzum7-)
• Download the presentation