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EducationApproximately 1.2 million youth drop out of high school each year, more than half of whom are youth of color (Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, 2008).
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Homelessness… On any single day, 53,000-
103,000 of the homeless population are between 18 and 24. (Burt, Aaron, & Lee, 2001).
One in five youth who age out of foster care will experience homelessness (Fernandes, 2008).
Three in ten homeless adults have had experience in the foster care system (Gardner, 2008).
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Legislative Background
The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999, helps foster youth who are aging out of care to achieve self-sufficiency.
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Legislative Background
The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 is the most recent piece of major federal legislation addressing the foster care system. This bill extended various benefits and funding for foster children between the age of 18 and 21 (contingent upon appropriation by legislature) and for Indian children in tribal areas.
California passed AB12, the California Fostering Connections to Success Act, in October of 2010; it goes into effect on January 1, 2012
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Some struggle; Some Prosper Need right balance of the adolescent pushing for
independence and the society giving the correct amount of support
Not pushing too hard or holding back too much
As W&IC section 11403(i) notes – in implementing AB12, the state is obligated to develop regulations that allow young adults to exercise incremental responsibility as they grow and develop
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Youth of Color
During emerging adulthood, ethnic minorities have to deal with the larger culture and figure out their own identity in the context of the larger society.
For children of immigrants, that can be especially challenging.
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Foster Youth Transitioning
Extended Foster Care allows foster youth age 20, who meet the federal participation criteria, to receive foster care fundingBeginning 1/1/14, up to age 21Juvenile court jurisdiction may continue until
age 21 regardless of eligibility for Extended Foster Care. See Welf. & Inst. Code 303(a) and Cal Rule of Court 5.555(a)(2).
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Preparing for Extended Foster Care
The conversation about EFC and its benefits should begin with all foster youth when developing the initial TILP and at all TILP updates.
Youth are more likely to take advantage of the program if they hear about it a lot.
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Eligible Youth include… Youth who meet at least one of the following
criteria. Being in high school or an equivalent program Being enrolled in college, community college or
vocational education program Being employed at least 80 hours a month Participating in a program or activity designed to
remove barriers to employment Being unable to do one of the above requirements
because of a medical condition
Also, youth who are on probation and under an order for foster care placement
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Eligible Youth (continued)
Youth who are eligible for state only foster care
Youth who are in a non-related legal guardianship through dependency court
Youth who reside out of county
Youth who reside out of state
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Ineligible Youth include… Youth who had their dependency
case dismissed in 2011 Youth in a non-related legal
guardianship through the probate court
Married youth Youth in the military Incarcerated youth are ineligible while they
are incarcerated, but are eligible upon release (as long as they meet other eligibility requirements)
Traditional Youth Services
• Professional providers • Community members
• Focus on problems • Focus on positive outcomes
• Reactive • Pro-active
• Targeted youth • All youth
• Youth as recipients • Youth as active participants
• Programs • Community response (systemic change)
Positive Youth Development
Competence
The ability and motivation for
• Civic and social engagement• Cultural engagement• Physical health• Emotional health• Intellectual achievement• Employability
Character
Having a sense of responsibility and autonomy
Having a sense of spirituality and self-awareness
Having an awareness of one’s own personality or individuality
Contribution
Being involved as active participant and decision maker in services, organizations and community
Adultism
Systematic invalidation Denial of voice or respectful attention Physical abuse Lack of information or misinformation Denial of power Lack of rights
Young people are systematically mistreated and disrespected by society, with adults as the agents of oppression. The basis of young people’s oppression is disrespect. Manifestations of the oppression include:
Source: Youth on Board, Get the Word out! 2001
Adult Allies
When we act as allies, we advocate and support young people. We assist young people in their lives, support them when they struggle, and let them know how important they are and that change is possible.
Source: Youth on Board, Get the Word out! 2001
What is Strengths Based Approach?
People are active participants in the helping process (empowerment)
All people have strengths, often untapped or unrecognized
Strengths foster motivation for growth Strengths are internal and environmental
Emerging from the field of social work, it is a set of ideas, assumptions, and techniques:
Source: Saleebey, Dennis. 1992. The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice. Longman: White Plains, NY
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Research Supporting Extending Foster Care
Midwest Study Surveyed 732 youth who exited foster
care from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin at ages 18, 19, 21, and 24
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Outcomes @ age 24
2.5 times more likely to get BA 61% pay differential for BA (nearly doubles
lifetime earnings) Sub-baccalaureate pay boost too (12-17% for
associate degree equaling $400k work-life earnings; $300k for at least some college)
38% reduction in risk of becoming pregnant Better personal and family health, etc…
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Four Subpopulations
Accelerated Adults Struggling Parents Emerging Adults Troubled and Troubling
How do we serve them?
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Accelerated Adults
36.3% of sample 63% are female Most likely to live on their own Almost all have HS diploma and some
college Most likely to have a college degree Most likely to be employed Less likely to have criminal conviction
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Struggling Parents
75% are female Most likely to be African American Least likely to finish HS Most likely to be married or cohabitating Low level of employment and most likely
to be receiving government benefits
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Emerging Adults
Slightly over half are male All are living with friends, relatives or other
setting not their own Vast majority finished HS and have some
college Least likely to have children Second highest rate of employment
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Troubled and Troubling
Majority of this group is male Most likely to be incarcerated, institutionalized,
homeless and/or have experienced high residential mobility
Least likely to be employed Nearly half have children, all are non-resident Most likely to report criminal conviction since 18 and
report mental health or substance abuse problems
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