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Resources for youth
transitioning from foster care
to living on their own
Partners for Forever Families
Permanency Symposium, 2013
Life’s Transitions Do Not Happen Overnight
Recommended Reading: Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s 2012 Foster Youth Internship Report
Transition to Young Adulthood forfor a young person with loving,
involved parents
Transition to Young Adulthoodfor a foster care youth who “ages out”
Lack of Family Privilege
When the only legal “parent” you have is the state and federal
government
Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care”
Postcard Project
When the only “parent” you have doesn’t always
recognize their role
Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care”
Postcard Project
Federal Interventionsto Improve Youth Outcomes
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.
I never knew I had an Exit Plan
Blindfold Activity
Involving Youth Voice in Plans for Their Future
Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care”
Postcard Project
Proactive response of theOhio Supreme Court
Essential Elements:
“Name That Logo”
What are FUP Vouchers?
Housing Choice Vouchers
• “Youth 18-21 years old who left foster care after the age of 16 and lack adequate housing.” (Congress, Oct. 2000)
• Requires local partnership between public housing authorities and public child welfare agencies.
Foster care youth voicein expanding Ohio Medicaid
until age 21
• Eligibility: Under 21, in foster care on 18th birthday, received IV-E funding/services prior to age 18
• Application process: Caseworker submits a JFS 01958 form and Medicaid application OR youth reached out to Medicaid, identifying themselves as a former foster youth.
• Maintaining coverage: Emancipated youth must report any changes in address, telephone number and email address to Ohio Medicaid
Connecting and reconnecting foster care youth/alumniwith Medicaid benefits
• FCASPL 183 (Ind. Living Transition Plans)
• Family, Children, and Adult Services Procedure Letter No. 183, sent out by Director Lumpkin on October 5, 2009
• The plan must include a completed Medicaid application
Ohio Policy and Procedure
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”
Life As A Juggling Act
Federal Legislation
John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence ActSigned into law, December 1999
• Provides for flexible funding for distribution to States through grants for program services for youth
• Provides opportunities for States to serve youth who are likely to remain in foster care and those who have aged out of foster care up to 21 years of age.
• Provides States the option of allowing these young people to remain eligible for Medicaid up to age 21.
• Enables older youth (18-21) to receive housing assistance if needed.
Educational Training Vouchers:
Definition of an “Independent Student”
Three categories:• 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
2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act
John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program
Chafee funding can be used to pay for:
•Housing (up to 30% of allocation)•College Textbooks•Transportation•Credit Recovery•All fees associated with GED, SAT, ACT•All fees associated with Post Secondary Education Enrollment•And more….
Benefits for eligible foster care youth
• 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.
• To learn more, visit: [email protected]
Eligibility for ETV Funds
A current, or former foster youth who: – Was in foster care on their 18th birthday and aged
out at that time; OR– Was adopted from foster care with the adoption
finalized AFTER his/her 16th birthday; OR– Will 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.
Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care”
Postcard Project
Improving Outcomes;Changing the Odds
Empowering Youth to Plan for the Future
Federal Legislation
Workforce Investment ActSigned into law in 1998
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) services support 9 of the 14 general categories that states are required by NYTD to support.
Eligibility for Youth, Between Ages 14-21
• Deficient in basic literacy skills
• Homeless
• School Dropout
• Ex-Offender
• Runaway
• Foster Child
• Pregnant or Parenting
1998 Workforce Investment Act
WIA funds can be used for:
• One-Stop Centers
• Youth Service Programs (low-income, high risk)
• Residential Training Programs like Job Corps
Workforce Connections:
Connecting the Dots Conference
Suits
For
Success
ResumeClinic
The Purple ProjectFounded by LaTasha Watts
Helping young people develop a vision for the future
B-E-G-I-N
Consumer Voice in the Process:
1.) Allen2.) Athens3.) Cuyahoga4.) Fairfield5.) Franklin6.) Greene7.) Hamilton8.) Lorain9.) Lucas-NW10.) Mahoning11.) Montgomery12.) Stark13.) Summit
TAGycTeen Advisory Group
youth council
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 living
Is imperative if our youth are ever to be adequately prepared for life,
love and work in adulthood.”
Emerging from foster care to young adulthood:
1. Level of Preparation
2. Availability of a Safety Net
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
Life Dice