The Mentoring and Oversight for Developing Independence with Foster Youth (MODIFY) program provides ongoing services and resources specifically to meet the education and training needs of eligible former foster youth of West Virginia interested in furthering their education. MODIFY also provides technical assistance to the Department of Human Services, foster care placement facilities, specialized foster care agencies, youth, foster parents and the community on the program and educational benefits available to eligible youth transitioning out of the foster care system.
Are you a professional that would like to request a MODIFY information session for you and your team? Then please fill out our training request form and we would be happy to give a presentation.
MODIFY Spotlight
Arrora Bennett
Arrora Bennett
My name is Arrora Bennett. I graduated from Concord University in May of 2025 with a major in Special Education and a minor in Birth to Three. My next steps are to teach for a couple years and pursue my master’s degree in teaching. The biggest goal for my career is to provide love and support for my students; I want them to feel seen and heard. My advice for other foster youth would be to break the cycle. You are capable, you are not your past, don’t let your past define you, and you can do anything you put your mind to. There is support for you to attend college. It can be scary to do something so unknown, but it will be worth it. The MODIFY program guided me through the years by helping me get financial aid for college without student loans.
Haleigh Adkins
Arrora Bennett
I began my higher education journey in 2019, right after I graduated high school. Adjusting to life and pursuing a college education after aging out of the foster care system came with many challenges and obstacles. At first, I wasn’t sure what degree I wanted, but I knew I had a calling to help others through healthcare, a field that I felt connected to in many ways. I began a new journey of motherhood, adopting my oldest and later welcoming twins. During that time, I had to pause my education. The MODIFY program was a constant source of support, helping me navigate each stage of life and providing guidance and assistance in returning to school. In 2022, I re-enrolled in college as both a mom and a determined student pursuing my dream of becoming a respiratory therapist. I successfully completed my degree, and I truly don’t believe it would have been possible without the support of the MODIFY program.
I graduated from Pierpont Community and Technical College in May 2025, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care degree and achieved my credentials as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). I am currently employed at a leading children’s hospital in West Virginia, working with intensive care units. My next goal is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and management to continue growing in my career and eventually move into leadership within the healthcare field. For those foster youth wanting to pursue your dreams, no matter how hard things may seem or how heavy the world feels, no dream is impossible to achieve. What’s meant to break you will only make you stronger. Growing up in the system, we face challenges that no young person should, but those experiences shape us into resilient, compassionate, and powerful individuals. As a mother of three with another baby on the way, I can promise you that the journey is 100% worth it. Never give up, remember why you started, you are capable of hard things, and you are worthy of every dream you have.
Samuel “Isiac” McAllister III
Samuel “Isiac” McAllister III
I attended Glenville State University from fall 2022-spring 2025, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance degree. I even graduated cum laude! My next steps are to pursue a master’s degree in instrumental and vocal performance while playing as much music as I can on the side. I hope to one day be a respected musician that people from all walks of life can draw inspiration from.
I dream of living in a loving world where music is sung everywhere. I dream of a world where kindness and music are the only form of currency needed. I dream of a place where anyone can feel like someone. I dream that people will check on their loved ones and friends as often as they can. I dream of a land of peace, prosperity, and perseverance, and know that one day we will all realize how blessed we really are to even have the chance to give life a go.
If I could give one piece of advice to the younger generation, it would be: never settle, always be curious, and never be afraid to ask a question. Don’t take your loved ones and time for granted. Never be afraid to stand out, to ask for help, or to admit failure. Never be afraid to dance, sing, or speak up for yourself. Don’t be mean to people, even if you’re having a bad day. That one experience could alter that person’s path forever. One single ounce of kindness does more than an ocean of hate and negativity. I’ll leave you with a quote I heard online awhile back: “If I were to give you a million dollars, would you take it?” The mysterious man asked. The other fellow responded and said, “yes of course!” The mysterious man then says, “so be it, I’ll give you a million dollars, but there is one catch. You will not wake up tomorrow. Today will be your last day on earth! Do you still want the money?” “Goodness gracious NO!” uttered the other fellow. The moral of this story is that your life and existence is worth way more than a million dollars.
The MODIFY program has the following purposes:
- To ensure that youth who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age are provided education, training, financial support and other needed transitioning services.
- To support and serve these former foster care recipients between 18 and 26 years of age to complement their own efforts toward self- sufficiency and to ensure that program participants recognize and accept their personal responsibility for preparing to make the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
- To provide youth who exit foster care at age 18 or older with Educational and Training Vouchers for the purpose of attending a West Virginia post-secondary educational program. The funds may be used to cover the costs of attending a college, university, or some vocational training, including expenses related to a course of study such as tuition, books, dorm housing, computers, special clothing, transportation assistance and other related educational expenses (limited to up to $5,000 per school year).
MODIFY is being presented with financial assistance as a grant from the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
MODIFY with West Virginia University CED
The Equities House
900 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
1-866-720-3605
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