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BrightPath - Digital Support Platform for Children in Foster Care System
SERVICE DESIGN
RESEARCH
CO-DESIGN
GRAD STUDIO PROJECT
August 2024- Dec 2024 I Atlanta, Georgia
PROJECT OVERVIEW
My team and I designed and co-created a digital platform designed to support foster youth, focusing on teenagers and aged out foster kids navigating the challenges of adolescence and the foster care system.
PROJECT CONTEXT
IMPACT
Teenagers and aged out foster kids in foster care face challenges often resulting in poor long-term outcomes.
The platform aims to equip foster youth with tools and resources to create brighter futures, reducing risks of homelessness, abuse, and crime.
PROJECT ROLE
Product + Service designer with a 3 member team- Zikki, Eugene. My contributions included user research, data analysis, app flow mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design for both the financial feature and the accompanying resource bank within the app
20–30%
of american youth who age out of foster care experience homelessness within the first few years of emancipation.
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Digital Support Platform for Children in the US Foster Care System
what, who, when, where, why, how
We have created a service application exclusively to supporting the mental, academic, and overall well-being of foster children aged 13-18, , while also addressing the needs of those aging out of foster care. Available on any devices, at anytime, and from anywhere. The app focuses on four main areas: Academic, Mental Health, Financial Responsibility, and Access to Resources.
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KEY FEATURES OF THE APP
Assets were made on
FEATURE 1
Main Dashboard : Personalized for the user
A personalized dashboard that keeps you focused and motivated.
Track your learning, goals, tasks, and token earnings in one place, while getting curated course suggestions and real-time updates on news, rewards, and progress.
Can be converted to fiat value (e.g., 30 tokens = $0.50) and used at certified vendors, helping foster youth learn financial skills while staying motivated through gamified rewards.
Set and Track your goals, whether it’s saving up for a bike or finishing a book!
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Get latest relevant news and educational material
FEATURE 2
Study/ Education empowerment
A personalized learning hub that helps you stay on track.
Manage your courses, tasks, and study goals with real-time updates, a built-in calendar, and saved course tracking—all tailored to your interests and future plans.
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Track your learning progress and calendar
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Track your ongoing courses, Saved courses
Find Courses that suits your future and preferences
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FEATURE 3
Feature 3: Wellness Support — Track, Reflect, and Connect
Check in with your mood, access mindfulness tools, and book free online sessions with verified volunteer therapists, all in one place.
Users can choose a verified volunteer therapist for an online appointment.
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Easy to access mental health exercises and guidance
Therapists can track user's day to day mood with a simple tracker
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FEATURE 4
Smart Money: Earn, Save, Become financial responsible
This feature allows users to earn in-app tokens through tasks and goals. Through hands-on budgeting and spending, foster youth learn how to manage money responsibly and build long-term financial habits.
Youth can view their Bank savings balance, but funds stay locked until they reach adulthood, promoting long-term financial responsibility and savings when they age out
Scan a QR code to use your tokens instantly, just like Apple Pay or Zelle, but made for Bright Path.
FEATURE 4
Resource Hub — Everything You Need, All in One Place
Access trusted resources tailored for foster youth and aged-out individuals—including housing options, mental health support, legal rights, education guides, and news that matters.
Stay informed on support available not just for foster youth, but also for foster parents for example Financial assistance programs, stipends, or tax credits
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Get relevant news and updates from verfied sources!
Have access to resources that will equip you with enough knowledge to enter adulthood safely and guided
RESEARCH PHASE - DESIGN PROCESS (SUMMARISED)
Iterate
Empathize
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Test
Primary Research
Validate conclusion and area of research - Conversational interviews
Secondary Research in the form of literature review
As-is journey map of foster child
Define Personas​
Identifying Pain points + Opportunity areas
Card sorting
Co-Design workshop with aged-out foster kids
Competitor analysis
Feature Ideation
Information Architecture
Wireframing
Low-fidelity prototype
Mid-fidelity prototype
UI Design and Branding
Preliminary round of User testing with Figma Prototype
>3%
of children from foster care earn a college degree. This reflects significant barriers foster youth face, including financial instability, lack of academic support, housing insecurity, and trauma-related challenges
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How Might We empower foster youth with the resources, skills, and support they need to achieve financial independence, emotional well-being, and long-term stability as they transition into adulthood?
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Digital Support Platform for Children in the US Foster Care System
A digital platform that provides personalized support to U.S. foster children aged 13-18, focusing on enhancing their mental and academic well-being, offering valuable resources, and empowering them with skills and mentorship for a brighter future.
FINAL SOLUTION
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