2016 independent living activities - wordpress.com...lamar graham, heart to heart food pantry...

Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now Ohio (ACTION Ohio) is dedicated to improving outcomes for current and former foster care youth. We bring together the voices of 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.

HANDS-ON INDEPENDENT LIVING ACTIVITIES

Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now (ACTION Ohio) has created and facilitated hands-‐on activities designed to support foster care youth in developing life skills. This handbook includes activities that we have created, and some from our allies as well. Life skill development assists young people in and from foster care in preparing for their future, and increases the likelihood of positive outcomes post-‐emancipation. This includes the ability to analyze personal strengths and weaknesses, to establish social networks, to set goals and map out action steps, and to proceed with confidence to make those goals a reality.

Steps to effectiveness in helping today’s foster care youth in preparation for adulthood: 1.) Review the statewide requirements for the provision of independent living services, as mapped out in Ohio Administrative Code: 5101:2-‐42-‐19 2.) Fill out a Life Skills Assessment with each young person, in order to identify growth areas 3.) Utilize the elements of the Youth Developed Discharge Plan to start working on an Independent Living Plan for each youth. Be aware of local and statewide resources. 4.) Consider the Circle of Support in a young person’s life, and which of those people might be willing to sign a Permanency Pact to commit to help in specific ways 5.) Schedule and facilitate a series of independent living classes, focusing on hands-‐on activities.

We want to be here to help you in this process. Please contact us with questions, Lisa Dickson, Communications Chair Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now (ACTION Ohio) [email protected]


SAMPLE SUPPLIES Item Source and

Description Price Ideas for Use

1.) Propellers: Quick Questions to Launch Good Conversations With Teens

Searchinstitutestore.org Start meaningful conversations with youth in a flash, any time or place, with 160 thought-provoking questions about: school, friendship, family, money, the future, plus icebreakers.

$14.95 For one set of 80 spiral-bound cards

Start meaningful conversations with youth in a flash, any time or place, with 160 thought-provoking questions about: school, friendship, family, money, the future, plus icebreakers.

2.Chat Packs

Trainerswarehouse.com Product Code: # RDCHP This tool supports Developmental Assets and Creativity.

$10.95 156 cards, 3.75" x 3" x 1.25" plastic case.

*Where the Propeller questions are focused on intentionally engaging teens to prepare for their future, the Chat Pack questions are silly and imaginative.

3. Totika Life Skills Card Deck

$12.95 Questions focus on healthy relationships, social skills, coping strategies, critical thinking and decision making abilities.

4. Totika Self Esteem Card Deck

$12.99 Questions focus on self-esteem, goal setting, role models, and motivation


SAMPLE SUPPLIES Item Source and

Description Price Ideas for Use

3.) Learning Resources Conversation Cubes

Learningresources.com *But cheaper to buy through amazon.com Six cubes = 36 questions Includes an activity guide

$12.99 $9.50

These are simpler questions. They can be used with low-level reading teens, with tweens and even to engage elementary age youth in conversations.

4. Thumball – ice breaker balls Three examples: a.) Getting to Know You Thumball 6” (pink) b.) Session Openers Thumball 6" (green) c.) Which Are You and Why? (orange) *All three are pictured below

Trainerswarehouse.com *Always cheaper to buy through amazon.com

*Prices vary

Questions vary, depending on which icebreaker ball you choose.


ICEBREAKER BALLS

Supplies needed: Icebreaker balls

Facilitator instructions:

1. Have the group make a circle

2. Have them throw the icebreaker ball to one another, and answer the questions

3. At the end of the activity, ask them what they learned about themselves and each other

Learning Outcomes: -‐ Communication skills -‐ Interpersonal skills -‐ Additional outcomes depend on which icebreaker ball is purchased. Each is designed to focus on a different skill set


CONFLICTS and RESOLUTIONS

Supplies needed: 1. Conflict Resolution cards (created by ACTION Ohio) 2. Buzzers

Facilitator instructions: 1. Have youth each take a card and take turns acting it out 2. Have them use the buzzers to reflect on how effective that advocacy message might be 3. Discuss with youth how each advocacy message might be changed to be even more effective

Rules: 1. The applause button indicates an effective advocacy message 2. The other buzzer indicates that the message could be improved upon, in order to advocate more effectively

Learning Outcomes: -‐ Developing the ability to resolve conflicts positively -‐ Being aware of verbal and nonverbal communication -‐ Practicing calm, non-‐defensive, and respectful reactions -‐ Addressing conflicts as they arise, rather than ignoring them


COTA BUS SCAVENGER HUNT

Supplies needed: 1. Bus passes 2. A folder for each team, which includes printed bus maps, tips and instructions 3. Prizes for the winning team

Facilitator instructions: 1. Youth are separated into teams, with one adult supporter assigned to each team 2. Each team chooses a team leader 3. Adult helpers have a cheat sheet of bus scavenger hunt destinations. But they will let youth take the lead and try to figure it out for themselves first.

Tips to share with youth: 1. Figure out your trip by: (a.) reading the bus schedule, (b.) going online and utilizing the Trip Planner, (c.) calling COTA and pressing zero

2. Always be at least five minutes early to your stop.

3. Pay attention to the street signs because the drivers do not always activate the overhead system announcing the next stop.

4. Make sure someone is close enough to pull the bell when it is time to get off the bus.

Learning Outcomes: -‐ Leadership Building: Adults will let youth take the lead. Youth who are more experienced should help youth who are less experienced with navigating the bus.

-‐ Experiential Learning: The trip will generate discussion about tips and tools for COTA bus riding. The cheat sheet for adult supporters will help them each feel prepared to facilitate this discussion.


ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

COVA

Franklin County Children Services contracts aftercare to COVA: Kristin Camac, Transition Youth Evaluator, [email protected]

COWIC

COWIC provides year-round Youth Employment Services: Please visit: http://cowic.org/youth-services/

Columbus State Community College

Columbus State Community College has a specific program that provides Foster Youth Support: Please visit: http://www.cscc.edu/campus-life/cares/scholar-network.shtml

OSU Star House

Star House serves as a “one-stop shop” where homeless youth can access resources to meet their basic needs and become connected to the Columbus community of resources. Please visit: https://starhouse.ehe.osu.edu/

Food Pantry

Lamar Graham, Heart to Heart Food Pantry Director, (614) 488.0681 ext 203, [email protected]

1.) Field Trips:

Job Fairs

Ohio Means Jobs posts an ongoing list of: Upcoming Career Fairs and Workshops in Ohio.

2.) Resume Clinic -‐ Creating a resume -‐ Filling out an Ohio Means Jobs application

3.) Ohio Reach Board Game

Available online: http://ohioreach.wikispaces.com/Board+Game *Young people who have a goal for their future are more likely to be motivated to finish high school. There are multiple pathways that students can follow after high school: college, trade schools, employment, military, or entrepreneurship. It’s important to help youth plan for the specific milestones towards their future dream.

2016 independent living activities - wordpress.com...lamar graham, heart to heart food pantry...

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