2016 challenges faced by aging out youth

Challenges Facedby

Aging Out Youth

Our Youth Need Two Things

1. Preparation

2. A Safety Net

FCAA Postcard Project

12 years old

Enter foster care

14 years old

All-girls

group home

16 years old

Co-ed group home,

Miscarriage

17 years old:

college sophomore, evicted, homeless,

high-risk behaviors

19 years old college, broke,

no medical insurance

Wife and (step)mother

• When is the shift from statistic to survivor?

• Research tends to focus on teenagers and young people in their 20s...

Young Adulthood

Statistics, while important:

• Don’t tell the whole story

• Promote low expectations

• Are perpetuated by systemic barriers

Life’s Transitions Do Not Happen Overnight

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

Teen Development

Six Tasks of Older Adolescence:

•Self-esteem and self-awareness•Increased independence•Responsible and able to make complex decisions•Relationship skills•Interpersonal communication

What’s an Exit Plan?

*a.k.a.

• “Discharge/Case-Closing Plan”• “Self-Sufficiency/Emancipation Plan”• “Transition Plan”• “Personalized Transition Plan”

Federal Legislation

Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 Title II, Section 202

• Mandates that 90 days prior to emancipation from foster care, “a caseworker on the staff of the State agency, and, as appropriate, other representatives of the child provide the child with assistance and support in developing a transition plan that is personalized at the direction of the child, includes specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, and work force supports and employment services, and is as detailed as the child may elect.”

Ohio Administrative Code

• Ninety days prior to the youth’s emancipation from the agency’s custody, the PCSA or PCPA shall work with the youth to develop a final transition plan.

• The plan shall be youth-driven and as detailed as the youth chooses.

Vital Documents:Prior to the youth’s emancipation from the agency’s custody, the PCSA or PCPA shall coordinate with the following agencies, to obtain necessary documents:

• an original birth certificate• an original social security card• a current state identification card

*OAC 5101:2-42-19: “Requirements for the provision of independent living services to youth in custody”

Essential Elements:

• Post-Emancipation Services (if available)

• Healthcare; insurance, power of attorney

• Higher Ed; secondary, post-secondary

• Housing; obtaining, paying for

• Budgeting; credit report

• Selective Services (males must register)

• Existing Court Fees (preexisting)

• Existing Benefits; i.e. Social Security

Life As A Juggling Act

Essential Elements:

• Attend five high schools on average

• With each transfer, lose 4-6 months of academic progress

• 65% change schools in the middle of the year

• Higher rates of absenteeism, grade retention, special education, dropping out before graduation

Education

• 75% of foster youth express a desire to attend college

• Only 15% are enrolled in college prep courses in high school

• Only 20% of foster youth with a GED/high school diploma enroll in post-secondary education vs. 60% of the general population

• Approximately half of all high school dropouts return to school or obtain a GED by the time they are 25.

Education

Developing a vision for foster youth to succeed

academically

Extra-curricular activities

OHIO Youth Advisory Board suggestions:

• Youth felt that college education should start early on• Time management + study skills (How many hours studying should you budget per class? What's the best way to study for my learning style?)• Time management• Scholarships: How to apply• Access – program for IEP scholars• Keeping in touch with your student advisor

College Bridge Programs:

•GEAR UP, TRIO: First-generation college students

•Upward Bound: Students must have completed the 8th grade, be between the ages of 13 and 19, and have a need for academic support in order to pursue a program of postsecondary education. All students must be either from low-income families or be potential first-generation college students.

Financial Assistance with College:

•ETV funds: Orphan Foundation of America www.statevoucher.org (laptop, money/semester, v-mentoring)

•Applying for additional scholarships

Filling out the FAFSA as an independent student:

•Student who is an orphan, in foster care, or a ward of the court, at any time when the student was 13 years of age or older•Student who is an emancipated minor or is in legal guardianship as determined by the court in their state of legal residence•Applicant is verified as an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of homelessness and self-supporting

ETV Funds:

•The ETV program is a federally-funded, state-administered program that provides grants up to $5,000 per year to assist former foster youth pursing higher education.

•This includes college and vocational training institutions.•Funds can be used for: Tuition, books, textbooks, and living expenses.

ETV Eligibility:

A current, or former foster youth who: Was in foster care on their 18th birthday and aged out at that time; ORWas adopted from foster care with the adoption finalized AFTER his/her 16th birthday; ORWill have his/her foster care case closed between the ages of 18 and 21.At least 18, but younger than 21, to apply for the first time. Already accepted or enrolled in a degree, certificate or other accredited program at a college, university, technical, vocational school. To remain eligible for ETV funding, students must show progress toward a degree or certificate.Students remain eligible for ETV up to age 23 if they received ETV funding prior to their 21st birthday.

Mission Statement:Ohio Reach improves post-secondary outcomes

for foster care youth and alumni through advocacy, leadership, networking and empowerment.

• The purpose of Ohio Reach is to increase the number of foster care youth who enroll in and graduate from college.

• Part of how we do this is by establishing Foster Care Liaisons at Ohio universities and community colleges.

www.ohioreach.org

• 50% more likely to be out-of-work and out-of-school• 40% receive public assistance• 62% unemployed for at least a year

• One-third – one-fifth don’t connect with workplace between ages 19-25

• At age 24, less likely to earn a “livable income” than the general population

Employment

• Over 30% of 19-year olds in Midwest study reported being unable to afford to buy clothing

• Dress for Success is only for women!!!

Employment

Developing a vision for foster youth to develop job-

readiness

Early Employment Experience:

•Workforce training, vocational training, employment opportunities•Getting connected with the workplace •Skills and interests, relating to jobs•Hands-on work experience•Engaged in the local community

Developing a vision for foster youth to develop

general life skills

Rules Within A Home

OHIO Youth Advisory Board suggestions:

• Self-reliance: Doing things independently• Self-sufficiency: How to cook, clean, etc. • Kitchen safety (i.e. fire extinguisher)• Hands-on activities: “Don’t just tell me, show me and let me try.”• How to prioritize• Time management, money management • Understanding legal matters (i.e. your basic rights)

Developing a vision for foster youth to develop personal health skills

OHIO Youth Advisory Board suggestions:

• Hygiene• Sex, drug and alcohol abuse• Health and fitness• Start taking medications on your own (Mind Matters publication)• Knowing resources for counseling and other methods to self-calm• Suicidal awareness; where to call• Understanding yourself spiritually

Developing a vision for foster youth to develop

interpersonal skills

OHIO Youth Advisory Board suggestions:

• Self-respect; respecting yourself and others• Etiquette; a time and a place for everything• How to dress appropriately• How to behave appropriately in a restaurant• Being aware of communication; oral and written• Public speaking; conversation etiquette • Relationship skills; identify people who support you; don’t burn bridges

Teen Brain Development

Developing a vision for foster youth to develop

technological skills

Raising a Media Savvy Teen:

• Cyber-bullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Examples of cyber-bullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.

“Name That Logo”

Believing in youthand their ability

to succeed

Empowering Youth to Plan for the Future

B-E-G-I-N

Interdependence

Recommended Reading: Transitioning Youth: Blending the Worlds of Permanency and Independent Living. The Casey Center for Effective Child Welfare Practice.

“The blending of the worlds of permanency and independent livingIs imperative if our youth are ever to be adequately prepared for life,love and work in adulthood.”

Who were the top three

people in your Safety

Net and why?

Copyright Lisa Dickson

Permanency Pact:

What exactly can I rely on you for?

It is critical to the youth’s success to identify those adults who will continue to provide various supports through and beyond the transition from care.

Clarifying exactly what the various supports will include can help to avoid gaps in the youth’s safety net and misunderstandings between the youth and the supportive adult(s).

• A home for the holidays• A place to do laundry• An emergency place to stay• Care packages while in college• Storage• Someone to discuss problems with• A phone or computer to use