Events
Webinar Description
On Tuesday, April 29th from 1-2pm ET, NDTAC explored how programs can empower incarcerated youth to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), unlocking vital financial support and resources for their postsecondary journey. We dove into strategies for completing the FAFSA in unique circumstances, such as environments without computer or internet access, if students do not have a physical address outside of the facility, if parents are undocumented, if a student was or will be an unaccompanied homeless youth or independent minor, and discussed how we can ensure all students have equal opportunity to apply. We also covered key deadlines and activities to stay on track with the application process as well as the appeal process for students with extenuating circumstances.
The session highlighted the immense benefits of FAFSA completion and how it helps students take the next step toward their educational goals. Featured speakers included Heather Hall Lewis from the Office of Federal Student Aid, alongside representatives from successful program(s) who have effectively guided students through this process, creating opportunities for brighter futures.
Presenters
Daniel Froemel, Ed.D., Senior Technical Assistance Advisor, has spent the majority of his career serving and leading in the N&D community. Prior to joining the NDTAC team, Daniel served as the Senior Director of Non-Traditional and Nonpublic Programs with the Tennessee Department of Education. He has also worked at the local level, spending almost a decade as a Principal and then Executive Director of a psychiatric residential treatment facility for children and adolescents. Additionally, he has served in various administrative levels at the building- and district-level for special education in public school districts in TN and SC.
Heather Hall Lewis, Ed.D. works on the Policy Implementation and Oversight team within Federal Student Aid for the U.S. Department of Education. She focuses primarily on the Pell Grant eligibility and the FAFSA form. Prior to joining the Department, she worked in a financial aid office at a small school in Portland, Oregon for about 15 years.
Ms. Nicole Garr, Providence Court School Counselor, is passionate about supporting students and their educational, personal, and social needs. With 13 years of experience in school counseling, Ms. Garr works with students ages 11-25 from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. She supports them in overcoming challenges, setting meaningful goals, and developing the skills they need for lifelong success. She believes in fostering a positive, inclusive environment where every student feels important and supported. Ms. Garr’s goal is to empower her students to reach their full potential.
Ms. Garr earned her master’s degree in counseling and guidance and a Pupil Personnel Services credential from California Lutheran University. After graduating, she began working for the Ventura County Office of Education with the foster youth students at the juvenile justice facility. Shortly after Ms. Garr started to work as a school counselor at Providence and has been there since.
Officer Nora Madrigal, Supervising Deputy Probation Officer, graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. She has worked in the field of Probation for almost 24 years. She has experience in both Juvenile and Adult supervision. She is currently assigned as a supervisor overseeing programming at a juvenile detention center and is the liaison between Probation and Providence School.
Dr. Teresa Vega, Providence Court School Assistant Principal, has worked in the California TK-12 Educational system as a bilingual teacher and administrator for over 30 years. Dr. Vega has worked in the Garvey School District, Montebello Unified, The Achievement Council, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, Grizzly Challenge Charter School and currently for the Ventura County Office of Education as the Assistant Principal of Gateway Community School and Providence Court School.
Dr. Vega has dedicated her life’s work to advocating for marginalized and at-promise students. Dr. Vega completed her doctoral studies at California Lutheran University. Her dissertation was on “Goal Setting Among Incarcerated Youth” with the objective of adding to the limited knowledge and research regarding the subject. Dr. Vega is deeply dedicated to changing the trajectory of incarcerated young people. Dr. Vega serves on the Youth Equity and Success Collaborative committee in Ventura County.
Linda Webb, Oxnard College Rising Scholars Counselor, possesses over 25 years of experience in higher education and has served students at the University of California, Riverside, California State University, Fullerton, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena City College and is currently the Rising Scholars Counselor at Oxnard College. She earned a Master’s degree in Education in Multicultural Counseling from California State University, Dominguez Hills and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Bilingual Bicultural Studies from the University of California, Riverside.
Linda’s expertise as a counselor, faculty, and in leadership roles enables her to bring insightful perspective to meet students’ needs by her commitment to equity and inclusion. Dedicated to driving impactful change, her purpose is to implement educational and transformative pathways for justice-impacted students that support successful reintegration into society and access to higher education. Her work has focused on effective student development programs and counseling models, which dismantle barriers that prevent students from matriculating into college and empowers incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals to build a brighter future.
