Professional perspectives on postsecondary education supports for young adults with foster care experience: A concept mapping study

<title>Abstract</title> <p>Young adults with foster care experience continue to face substantial barriers to postsecondary education despite expanding policy initiatives and campus-based supports. Professionals working across child welfare and higher education systems possess unique perspectives on the supports necessary to promote educational success. This study used concept mapping, a mixed-methods participatory methodology, to examine professionals' perceptions of the supports young adults with foster care experience need to successfully pursue postsecondary education. Eight professionals representing child welfare, higher education, and youth-serving organizations sorted and rated 77 statements generated from an earlier qualitative project. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis produced a six-cluster solution describing key domains of support: (1) Trauma-Informed Personal Resilience, (2) Independent Living Skill Development, (3) Professional Support for Education and Employment, (4) Access to Basic and Mental Health Needs, (5) Coordinated Systems for Transition to Independence, and (6) Postsecondary Access and Persistence Supports. Across all six clusters, participants rated supports as significantly more important than available, indicating consistent unmet needs. The largest perceived gaps centered on housing, transportation, transition planning, documentation, and coordinated cross-system supports, whereas financial aid resources and selected campus services were viewed as comparatively more available. Findings highlight the importance of coordinated, trauma-informed, and developmentally responsive systems that integrate child welfare, higher education, housing, and community services. Strengthening cross-system collaboration and expanding comprehensive supports may improve postsecondary access, persistence, and degree completion for young adults with foster care experience.</p>