Moving Youth toward Self-sufficiency

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Mark Kroner LISW-S Trainer and ConsultantCincinnati, Ohio

513-284-7779 markjkroner@yahoo.com

The 10 Key Elements of Effective Transition Services**

1. Education and development of entire system2. Stable sources of funding3. Getting entire system involved in transition process4. Life Skills assessments and training5. Social support development/permanency6. Employment and Educational support7. Real life experience8. Most appropriate living arrangements9. Addressing of special needs10. Aftercare

**And a well-paid case-manager to make it all work!

So who still needs Independent Living?

• Youth who are ready to go out on their own• Youth who do not want to/cannot live with others• Youth who do not want to be adopted/were adopted• Youth who enter system as teens in states that end at 18• Youth with mental health issues• Youth with criminal backgrounds/sex-offenses• Youth who want to/do not want to return to unstable families• Pregnant/parenting youth• Youth who do not want to leave foster care but need to

Training of System and IL staff on needs of transition age youth

• The time frame we and youth have to work within• The transition realities of all youth• The research on homelessness• The developmental needs of T.A.Y.• The current service system/lack of• Who is in charge of overseeing this process• The role of the case-manager/caseworker• Life skills assessment/training strategies• Community resources/national resources• Special needs youth

Living Arrangement Options• Foster homes Group homes

• Individual apartments Shared housing

• Supervised apartments Host homes

• Roommates Shelters

• Adoptive homes Relative homes

• Trailers Adult/youth apartments

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?

$ources of Funding

• Purchase of service contracts; state or country• Shifting of funding from other placements• HUD• Donated buildings• Set-asides• McKinney Vento/supportive housing• Family Unification Program• Foundations• Chafee• Private donations of supplies/furnishings/cash• United Way

Keys to operating successful housing programs

• Planned preparation of youth and adults• Clear policies and expectations• Consistent supervision and monitoring• Plans for when things aren’t working• Management of risk and liability• Staff who can engage and motivate youth• Connections with landlords/housing entities• Tolerance of normal behavior• Multiple options/back-up plans

Common Concerns• Who signs the lease?• How can you tell if a youth is ready for IL housing?• What about liability? Damages?• What is the best housing option?• How often do you need to see a youth?• How do you find landlords willing to rent to youth?• Do youth have to contribute anything?• Can we place foster youth in TLP/HUD programs?• Shouldn’t we focus more on keeping youth with adults?• What about visitors/roommates?• What about after office hour crises?

Life Skills assessments and training

• Sharing assessment results• Building life skills training from assessment results• Creating workbooks• Using internet for life skills materials• Already developed curricula• Games, videos, former clients, guest speakers• Using Incentives• One-on-one training/groups• Weekly/monthly/weeklong/camps/retreats

The Core Case-management Strategy:Talking Transition

• Help youth see and prevent potential problems/options

• Help youth make decisions

• Give youth responsibility to take action

• Keep a future focus

• Expect resistance

• Process “mistakes”

• Develop patience

Addressing Special Needs

• Pregnant/parenting youth• Youth with MH/CD issues• Youth with developmental disabilities• Youth with criminal records/sex-offenders• Youth with unique cultural backgrounds• LGBTQI2-S youth• Youth from gangs• Immigrant youth• Youth with chronic medical problems

Aftercare

• Emergency assistance• Non-emergency financial assistance• Provisional discharge• Second chances• Allow for re-entry• Counseling/support• Involvement of former youth in training/policy

development• Connections to adult services• Referrals to needed resources

Useful Publications

• “Housing Options for Independent Living Programs” Available at or 202-662-4278 or www.CWLA.org

• “Moving In: Ten Successful IL/TL Program Models”Available at Northwest Media 800-777-6636 or www.northwestmedia.com

• Housing Assistance for Youth Who Have Aged Out of Foster Care: The Role of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/12/chafeefostercare/rpt.shtml

• Housing for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care: A Review of the Literature and Program Typology http://www.huduser.org/portal/publications/interim/hsg_fter_care.html

• “A Future Near Me: Questions to guide a young adult’s journey to self-sufficiency”

National Resource Center for Youth Services 918-660-3700 www.nrcys.ou.edu

• “A Path Near Me: Questions to guide a young Native American journey to the future”

National Resource Center for Youth Services 918-660-3700 www.nrcys.ou.edu

• “Operation Independence: Individual and group life skills training activities”

National Resource Center 918-660-3700 www.nrcys.ou.edu

Bio: Mark J. Kroner LISW-S

• Mark is an independently licensed social worker who has worked with thousands of youth in transition in the child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health and homeless youth systems. Mark has written numerous articles and books on housing and self-sufficiency and has been active as a 21 year IL program director, advocate, trainer and national consultant.

• Mark has four children, ages 23,25,27 and 30 and two grandchildren, all in various states of transition.