Purple Umbrella

Dedicated to supporting foster youth currently enrolled at Kent State to ensure their success throughout their college journey.

The Kent State Purple Umbrella Network is focused on developing a stable resource network of partners who are sensitive to the disparities facing youth who have been impacted by and are now transitioning out of foster care.

The purpose of the Kent State Purple Umbrella Network is to improve awareness and collaboration within the Kent State community, adult serving agencies, faith- based community groups and other stakeholders to better meet the needs of Kent State students who have foster care impact.

The goal is to coordinate the availability of and access to needed services and supports within the Kent State community, to improve outcomes and increase retention.

Community Impact

This network and idea is adapted based on the same program in Cuyahoga, Montgomery and Summit County Children Services. The hope is that the Kent State Purple Umbrella Network will be a model for other higher ed institutions in Ohio, resulting in a comprehensive statewide network to support higher ed retention of youth impacted by foster care.  

Kent State University Purple Umbrella has achieved the first Ohio Reach Postsecondary Designation by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.