December 10, 2015

• We bring together the voices of foster care youth, alumni and allies, to create lasting change and generate hope for current and former foster youth, based on access to resources, ally support and alumni expertise.

Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now

Transition to Young Adulthood fora young person growing up with their biological family

Challenges faced by a young personwho “ages out” of foster care

Lack of Family Privilege

Point of Transition:Child and Adult Systems

Disconnection

Child Mental Health

Mental Health

Child WelfareSpecial Education

Juvenile Justice Criminal Justice

Food StampsWorkforceHousing

Life’s Transitions Do Not Happen

Overnight

Recommended Reading: Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s 2012 Foster Youth Internship Report

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care” Postcard Project

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care” Postcard Project

Risk of Stigma

Case file exercise

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care” Postcard Project

“Reclaim and Reframe”

Recommendation:On the day of the event, be careful not to draw attention to participating youth being “foster kids” to people outside of the circle of trust. Two things that worked well in 2015:- Ending the day with a panel of students, including a foster care alumna who is currently attending OSU

- The way that the workshop on counseling and consultation services for students was handled

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care” Postcard Project

“Take Another Seat”

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care” Postcard Project

Context of Behavior

Blindfold activity

Recommendation:On the day of the event, post the schedule of activities first thing. Foster care is unpredictable, by nature.

Letting young people know “why” they are there, and what to expect increases their security and empowerment.

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care” Postcard Project

Treasuring memories

Practical Tips for the Interviews:1. When you interview youth and ask them questions, please provide the “why” and the “what” you are planning to do with that information.

2. Value of a strengths-based approach

3. Themes and topics that might come up in the interviews.

4. Utilizing a “circle back” technique if/when youth get off-topic

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care” Postcard Project

“Strengths Based”

Fragmented Family Tree

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care” Postcard Project

Chosen family

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care” Postcard Project

Adoption