Joni Rivera says foster care students need stability and support to reach Portrait
Joni Rivera, Assistant VP at New York Foundling, says Portrait must include stability, belonging, self-advocacy, and supported transition for foster youth. She cites Road to Success's 88% graduation rate and asks for early identification, coordination, and investment in individualized models.
Okay, and our final in-person panelist.
Good afternoon, Chair Zanowitz and members of the Committee on Education.
My name is Joni Rivera, and I'm the Assistant Vice President of Educational Services at the New York Foundling.
Thank you for this opportunity to testify on the New York's Portrait of a Graduate.
For students who have experienced foster care, the Portrait of a Graduate must reflect more than academic achievement.
It must also include stability, belonging, self-advocacy, healing, and a supported transition into adulthood.
The New York Foundling has served children, families, and communities for more than 150 years.
Through our education and child welfare work, we see every day that nearly 500 young people in foster care we serve are capable, resilient, and full of potential.
But too often, their path to graduation is complicated by placement changes, school transfers, transportation barriers, trauma, missed services, and uncertainty about what comes next.
Programs like the Foundlings Road to Success show what is possible when students receive consistent, trauma-informed academic support.
Road to Success pairs nearly 2,000 students with tutors who also serve as mentors, coaches, and advocates.
While the overall graduation rate
For New York City students in foster care is 42%.
Students participating in Roads to Success achieved an 88% graduation rate last school year of 2026.
Students like Lisa and Jared remind us why sustained support matters.
Lisa graduated while navigating disrupted placements and uncertainty about her college transition.
Jared, an English language learner, was one regent's exam away from
From graduation and with tutoring and encouragement, improved his score by 26 points and earned his diploma.
Their stories show that graduation is possible, but support cannot stop at the finish line.
We recommend that the city strengthen early identification of students who are undercredited, chronically absent, missing services, or struggling with region's requirements.
We also urge stronger coordination among schools, administration for children's services, foster care agencies, caregivers, Fair Futures coaches, tutors, and education specialists.
Finally, we ask...
Sorry, finally, we asked the city to invest in proven individualized models like Road to Success so more young people can graduate prepared for college and career.
Thank you for your time and commitment.