From Policy to Practice: A Narrative Inquiry on Housing Equity Under SB 584 for Foster Care Alumni in Higher Education

From Policy to Practice: A Narrative Inquiry on Housing Equity Under SB 584 for Foster Care Alumni in Higher Education

Problem of Practice

Research Questions

Looking Ahead

Implications for Stakeholders

Theoretical Frameworks

Jenelle Bell EDG-7936 Leader-Scholar Community 1 Fall 2025

Sources of Literature

Research Approach

Literature Review Summary

Narrative Inquiry

Focuses on lived experiences and personal stories Highlights student voice and emotional depth Aligns with the goal of understanding how policy translates into practice

Theoretical Frameworks

• Ecological Systems Theory (Bronfenbrenner): Students are shaped by layered environments—personal, institutional, and policy-level

• Social Capital Theory (Bourdieu & Coleman): Limited networks and mentorship affect access to resources and decision-making

• These frameworks help analyze how SB 584 is experienced and interpreted by foster care alumni

Ecological Systems Theory & Social Capital Theory

Why This Research Is Urgent

Helps colleges improve SB 584 implementation Supports retention and equity for foster care alumni Informs policy adjustments based on student feedback

Guiding Questions

1. How do foster care alumni describe the way SB 584 information will be communicated to them?2. How will SB 584 affect foster care alumni’s emotional and academic persistence? 3. What impact will SB 584 have on foster care alumni’s knowledge of choices to remain in college? 4. What suggestions will foster care alumni have to improve SB 584’s implementation?

Where My Research Originated

Google Scholar The Qualitative Report Florida Legislative archives Community programs serving foster youth

Why this Study Matters

SB 584 was enacted July 1, 2025 to address housing equity for foster care alumni Foster care alumni face housing insecurity and limited support in college Students often misunderstand what the waiver covers (tuition only—not housing or meals) Inconsistent communication and implementation affect student stability and retention

Why This Study Matters

• Foster care alumni face housing insecurity and limited support in college
• SB 584 was enacted July 1, 2025 to address housing equity
• Students often misunderstand what the waiver covers (tuition only—not housing or meals)
• Inconsistent communication and implementation affect student stability and retention

Key Themes from the Literature

Housing insecurity reduces college persistence by 8–12 percentage points (Goldrick-Rab et al., 2024). Foster youth often lack awareness of their rights and available resources (Nuñez et al., 2021). Institutional communication plays a critical role in policy effectiveness (Singh, 2021). Emotional and academic persistence are tied to stability and support (Brunner, 2025).

Why This Research Matters

Foster care alumni face housing insecurity and limited support in college SB 584 was enacted July 1, 2025 to address housing equity Students often misunderstand thier rights such as thier tuition waiver only covers tuition—not housing or meals) Inconsistent communication and implementation affect student stability and retention

Next Steps: Methods and Design

• Design Approach: Considering Art-Based Research Design
• Positionality: Reflexive role as a foster care liaison
• Setting & Participants: Florida higher education institutions; foster care alumni impacted by SB 584
• Ethical Considerations: Informed consent, confidentiality, trauma-informed practices
• Data Collection: Narrative interviews, creative artifacts (e.g., visual journaling, poetry)
• Data Analysis: Thematic coding, visual-textual interpretation