Program that helps at-risk youth graduate high school showing success

Rahma Baazaoui entered foster care at 14 and struggled for years to complete her high school diploma.

"I was already having trouble attending school, especially starting Grade 9. My grades kind of tanked," Baazaoui said.

She spent time in group homes and later in a foster home. By 17, she was living independently, and while financial challenges took priority, she remained determined to finish her education.

Now a student at Carleton University, Baazaoui is one of numerous success stories to come out of a program launched several years ago by the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO), one that supports young people in care so that they can graduate from high school.

Baazaoui initially tried the Pod Model for Learning program when schools shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, but struggled to engage.

She reconnected with it this past July to complete a course and attend university in the fall.

"Initially, it was just tutoring. But later on down the line, they were like guidance counselors and teachers and principals all in one," she said.

"It was like a one-stop shop for everything [related to] school."

More likely to graduate early

CASO developed the program in partnership with the University of Ottawa's faculty of education in March 2020 to assist at-risk youth like Baazaoui during the pandemic.

What began as a six-week program has evolved into a key support system that's now entering its fifth year.

Jill Bennett, education liaison with CASO, said 250 students across Ottawa are currently registered.

As a former teacher, principal and school board superintendent, Bennett drew on her experience to create the program, which provides remote support youth in care between the ages 14 to 20.

Participants are paired with a pod team member — youth counselors, retired principals or teacher candidates — who check in weekly to address their academic, social, and emotional needs.

Preliminary data from the 2023-2024 school year shows it seems to be working. According to a CASO news release, young people in care who engaged with the program were seven per cent more likely to graduate early, while delayed graduations dropped by nine percent.

Additionally, students receiving the highest levels of support completed 10 per cent more credits and took on an additional course on average, compared to peers receiving basic support.

"I do believe, because we've got a really close eye on them, that's part of the secret of the pod. They can't fall through the cracks because we're checking on them every seven days," Bennett said.

The program recently received funding from Ontario's Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to continue and expand its support to include youth entering university.

Last year, Baazaoui applied to Carleton University and was accepted on the condition she complete a high school course.

"I was ecstatic. I was practically bouncing off the walls," she said. "But I got pretty nervous because it was a conditional offer, and all the schools were closed for the summer."

Baazaoui said she had to complete the credit and ensure it appeared on her transcripts by mid-August to attend university in the fall. That's when the Pod Model stepped in.

"It was tailored for youth in care. Their only priority was making sure that I got into post-secondary or finished my goal," she said. "They managed to help me get into university… It was incredible."

With the program's help, Baazaoui was able to finish the coursework and start university in the fall. She said she's thriving academically and socially.

"I'm doing amazing. I met so many people. I'm really excited to start my days now. I aced my first two midterms," she said. "I'm doing really good academically, and the social aspect has been nice too."

Bennett believes the model should expand across Ontario.

"I don't know what would happen if we didn't have this program. We've seen what happens when the wrap-around support is provided," she said.

"To pull that for any reason, I think we'd be doing a disservice to these kids… We now know what they need."