Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Lim, Caroline

Abstract

Background: While 33% of the general population earns a college degree, only 3% of foster youth who age out of the child welfare system achieve this milestone. This percentage may be even lower among former foster youths who were commercially sexually exploited. Understanding the factors contributing to the lower educational attainment in this population is a critical step toward addressing this disparity. Objective: The purpose of this exploratory study is to determine whether social capital is a contributing factor to college completion among former foster youths who were commercially sexually exploited in San Bernardino County. Methods: This study proposes to use a phenomenological qualitative design to conduct in-depth interviews with Social Welfare Agency workers in the city of San Bernardino who have extensive experience working with youths that previously experienced sexual exploitation while in foster care. Participants will be recruited using snowball sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol that focuses on the role of social capital as a factor in the educational outcomes of former foster youths who were commercially sexually exploited.

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