CalWellness Pipeline to Opportunity Program
In February of 2020, Focus Forward expanded into formalized higher education services and launched the Pipeline to Opportunity Program (P2O).
The P2O program provides post-secondary educational support services to in-custody and out-of-custody youth. Prior studies indicate that resilient youth and young adults in Fresno County Systems will be more likely to enroll and complete higher education or vocational training at Fresno City College with more strategic support, resulting in an increase in successful completions of goals leading to healthier and more successful lifelong outcomes. The P2O Program offers a new seamless pipeline from Juvenile Justice Systems to Higher Education by establishing a system whereby youth enroll in Fresno City College courses through the dual enrollment program at Fresno County Superintendent of Schools’ Alice Worsley High School while incarcerated, and are then capable of earning high school and college credits concurrently. The P2O program then continues to bridge services when youth have exited the juvenile justice campus and provides regular college enrollment, educational counseling, barrier removal, and mentoring services to ensure retention and overall collegiate success.
Pipeline to Opportunity has:
117 Dual Enrollment college course completions as of Spring 2022.
11 out of custody college freshmen have been enrolled from Spring 2020 to Spring 2022.
10 additional students enrolled over the summer and Fall 2022 semesters.
Additional highlights:
From the inception of P2O services 98% of our Dual Enrollment students have maintained a 3.5 or better GPA.
From our regular college enrollment students, we have seen students move from single-class semester enrollments to half time, and now full time indicating their level of engagement in higher education and personal confidence with college rigor.
The P2O program is funded in part by The California Wellness Foundation. Cal Wellness’ vision is for every resident of California to enjoy good health and experience wellness. Cal Wellness’ mission is to protect and improve the health and wellness of the people of California by increasing access to health care, quality education, good jobs, healthy environments and safe neighborhoods.
The P2O program is funded in part by the City of Fresno – 2022 Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative Grant Program (VIPI).