21 things Every Child Should Know Before Aging Out of Foster Care Risk to Reality Presenters Judge Vincent C. Crawford Dekalb County Juvenile Court ------- Ebony Harris DHR Independent Living Director ------- Youth EmpowerMEnt
Reality Children are at risk if they leave foster care without a plan to transition them into becoming functioning adults. If they are permitted to leave foster care as dysfunctional children they will return as dysfunctional parents.
If you fail to plan then Plan to fail
How are we doing in Georgia? 20 % maximum of kids leaving care with a High School Diploma 1 in 4 will become homeless 3% will graduate from College Almost ½ will be arrested before 19th birthday 49 % will be expecting mothers by 19th birthday (meaning more deprivation cases) Less 19 % will be self-supportingsupporting
Categories Want s Need s Comments Tota l % Money 48 41 89 82.4% Job / Career 29 51 80 74.1% Clothes & Shoes 37 37 74 68.5% Go to College 30 22 52 48.1% Graduate High School 19 26 45 41.7% Car / Lisence 29 16 45 41.7% Apartment/Shelter/Home 23 15 38 35.2% ID Documents 9 23 32 29.6% Go back home / See family 14 15 "I need my mom and my brother." 29 26.9%
#1 Are you staying in Care?
Foster Care Review Youth turn 14 within 30 Days Review Or The Youth will be turning 18 in 90 Days
Two Groups Pre-18 and Post-18 Eligible youth must meet one of the two following criteria: All youth ages 14 and older; 1) In DFCS Custody 2) U.S. Citizen or Legal residence of Ga 3) Previously in DFCS custody (for a least 6 months) 4) Dual committed child 5) Disabled Youth (Individual services needed) 6) Special Immigration Juvenile Status 7) Incarcerated Youth Are under 21 and were eligible for ILP services when placement authority ended. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the month of eligibility and expires on the last day of the month of eligibility. (Must have been in care for at least six months) Foster Care Services Chapter 1012.2 O.C.G.A. 19-7-3
Conditions for remaining in care Extending foster care support to children between 18-21 years of age States may extend their care system for children up to 21 years of age if the youth is: Completing high school or an equivalency program Enrolled in post-secondary secondary education or vocational school Participating in a program or activity it designed to promote, or remove barriers to, employment Employed for at least 80 hours per month Incapable of doing any of these activities i i because of a medical condition.
State Law Provisions: HB 1085 Transition plan for youth aging-out DFCS, with involvement of others representatives of the child as appropriate, must assist and support the youth in developing a transition plan in the 90 day period immediately prior to the date the child turns 18 Case plan requirement Personalized at the direction of the child and as detailed as the child may elect Includes specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, and work force supports and employment services An order showing child was in care.
If you fail to plan then Plan to fail
#2 Join an Independent Living Program (The children in care ranked #3)
Constitution & Statutes Foster Care Independence Act of 1999/Chafee Act Provides services for youth who are likely to remain in foster care until they are 18. While you are in care, the state must provide you with ihf food, clothing, shelter, education and ordinary medical care. State Statue O.C.G.A. 49-5-3 (12) Social Services Manual Section 1012.1-1012.151012.15
www.georgiailp.org Join the Independent Living Program (ILP). Provide youth with free help in applying for college, finding financial aid, getting scholarships, landing a job, and learning skills for life after foster care? How about some MONEY for renting your first apartment? t? Then the Independent Living Program (ILP) is for you! It s designedto help youth prepare for life on their own after foster care. your region or your county listings. www.georgiailp.org.
#3 What is your Permanency Plan Personal Permanency vs. Legal Permanency (The children in care ranked #10)
Talk with the Youth about Permanency Get Solid: Understand What permanence is about...and get it if you can. Can you list the five types of permanency Talk to your caseworker and find out the permanency plan
5 types of Permanency Returned to the parent or parents (reunification) Referred for termination of parental rights and adoption Referred for legal guardianship (former foster parent, teachers or mentor) Independent Living Services and Education/Training Vouchers extended to children leaving foster care at age 16 or later to a kinship guardianship Placed permanently with a fit and willing relative (Face book and Myspace) Placed in another planned permanent living arrangement in the case where the division has provided a compelling reason that none of the foregoing options would be in the best interest of the child
#4 Build a Plan to Live (What a good WTLP should look like)
What s the difference? Surviving Without a Plan Living With ih a Plan
Build a WTLP Identify a team of supportive adults in the youths life and build a transition plan. Utilize your Written. Living i Plan to help your develop your plan. Life Coaching services available through www.loveliving.org li i
Written Transitional Living Plans must include direct participation by the teen and the teen s support system. As many people as possible inside the teen s support network needs to contribute to the plan. Ideally, the plan will be created utilizing a Family Team Meeting, but a less structured meeting may also be utilized. A plan with a stronger resource network involved in creating it will result in a better outcome for the youth. 5 ILP Outcome areas need to be addressed in some capacity in the WTLP, in addition to any needs listed. If a certain outcome area is not an issue or a need at this time, this can be annotated by the case manager.
5 outcome areas Education: Youth acquire sufficient education, training, and opportunities that provide them with choices to pursue post- secondary education. Employment: Youth generate a sufficient income to support themselves by obtaining and retaining steady age-appropriate appropriate employment leading to a viable career path. Housing: Youth have access to safe, stable, appropriate, affordable housing in the community that is near public transportation, work or school. Health: Youth have sufficient and affordable health insurance for mental, physical and dental needs. Supportive Relationships: Youth have in place supportive relationships that are able to assist them with accessing services in the community to help achieve their personal goals and support their efforts to contribute to civic life.
Measuring Outcomes Not all outcome areas can be solved in a WTLP, but all outcome areas can be mentioned or addressed during a FTM. For instance, it is not reasonable to expect a14 year old to hold a job. However, the 14 year old can begin learning about work-related related information such as developing work ethics. This can be addressed with just the support of the foster parents, or the youth can be connected to resources through a referral to another agency.
Outline Strengths, Growth areas Strengths: Likes to stay active/busy Hard worker Very good at self-directing Good listener Tough Likes art Well mannered Easy going Interested in his education Gets along well with peers Growth Areas/Needs and needs Needs more education/complete high school Continued support Begin thinking about long-term goals for future Develop more confidence Stay on track at school Work on honesty when mistakes are made Develop independent living skills and responsibility
Goal 1: Attend school and get on track to graduate David Teen will call Jackson High School on 8/5/08 to schedule a meeting with Graduation Coach to develop his graduation plan, and will let DFCS Case Manager know when this has taken place. Immediately following o the development e e of graduation plan, David will contact Ms. Jones, Career Counselor, to schedule a career plan. David will continue to attend school regularly and on time. Mrs. Jackson, Foster Parent, will contact Ms. Landen at High School to get parent access issues resolved so she will be able to monitor David s attendance online. David will participate in Jr. ROTC during Fall semester to develop a greater sense of involvement and commitment to participating in school activities, iti which h will help prevent his from cutting class and practicing other off-track behaviors
Goal 2: Develop Independent Living Skills and take responsibility for actions David will attend his appointments with mental health provider, Dr. M.H. Provider, and follow all recommendations from Dr. M.H. Provider DFCS Case Manager and Ms. Jackson, Foster Parent, will communicate to Dr. Provider the areas for development: hygiene, honesty, truancy, and others areas identified ifi d in the assessment David will participate in summer Teenwork program and Ms. Meek s work study program to develop job skills, work ethic, and responsibility. David will participate in Jr. ROTC to increase sense of confidence and sense of accomplishment David will continue to participate in ILP workshops and activities, and DFCS Case Manager will notify Ms. Jackson, Foster Parent and David of all ILP workshops David teen will participate in mentoring through Family Connection (ILC will make referral)
Goal 3: Strengthen Support from Connected Adults David will communicate weekly with his grandparents and father via phone, email, and visits Once home evaluation is approved, David will help develop and participate in a visitation plan for seeing his grandparents overnight according to DFCS guidelines once a month David will cooperate with Mrs. Jackson s (foster parent) suggestions and rules David will seek support and guidance from Ms. Meek s (school Special Ed teachers)
Participating People Who Contributed in Developing this WTLP (list names and have everyone sign beside their name): Youth H.S. Graduation Coach H.S. Career Counselor H.S. Coach H.S. Special Education Teacher DFCS Case Manager Group Home Case Manager ILP Coordinator Youth s Grandparents Youth s Father Foster Parent Family Connection
#5 Test Your Life Skills
Test your Life Skills. Take the Ansell Casey Life Skills Assessment (ACLSA). This assessment will help you see where your strengths and needs are when it comes to skills for living on your own. Contact your IL Coordinator for more details.
#6 $
Find out about Chafee. You may be eligible for assistance for paying for rent or other cost associated with living on your own. Talk to your caseworker, Independent Living Coordinator or visit ; www.georgiailp.org. il
#7 Secure a Place to Live (The children in care ranked #7)
Secure a place to live and have a backup plan. Transitioning out of foster care to homelessness is never a good idea. Homelessness includes living in your car, camping, and even sacking out on a couch at a friend s house. There s plenty of help in locating housing, but you have to do some of the legwork. Talk to your caseworker, and your independent living coordinator. Independent Living (Having their own place) If the youth prove they are mature and ready, they maybe able to live on own while you are in foster care. The Youth should talk to the caseworker, Independent living Coordinator or judge to see when this option maybe available.
#8 Get Your Documentation (The children in care ranked #9)
Three forms of Identification Get a state-issued photo-id ID. to rent an apartment, get a job, travel on an airplane, and much more. Copy of Birth Certificate t Social Security Card
#9 Get a High School Diploma or GED (The children in care ranked #5 )
Warning Education is Important The Child; The Adult 1. Poor on Standardize 1. High Rate of Instability test. 2. Low expectation for 2. High rate of grade self and children retention. 3. Poor Life Skills 3. High Absenteeism 4. Lack Independence 4. Tardiness 5. Truancy 6. High Drop Out Rate heritage Foundation
Get a high school diploma or GED. Once you re on your own, it can become very difficult to concentrate on school because you ll be busy making money to pay your way. Try to finish Getting your GED or High School diploma while you re still in foster care- before you pile on all the extra worries of supporting yourself.
#10 Money For Higher Education or a Skill (The children in care ranked #4)
Find doutabout money for higher education. The federal government has handled down millions of dollars for scholarships hi and Educational Training Voucher (ETV) for foster youth! Best of all, in most cases this money can help pay for a Trade or Vocational School, housing, transportation, books, fees and other cost related to education. Find out how to access this money in your region or county by visiting www.georgiailp.org.
Scholarships The Casey Family Scholars Scholarship attempts to reduce the financial barriers foster children may encounter when considering entering higher education. By providing scholarships of up to $10,000, the Casey Family Scholars Program offers foster youth under the age of 25 the opportunity to attend the national college or university of their choice. The Darko Rapotez Memorial College Scholarship Fund for Aged Out Foster Youth offers between $5,000 and $10,000 in college and tuition fee assistance to children who have aged out of the foster care system. However, the price of books, housing, transportation, and this higher- education-related costs are not covered. Recipients can be between the ages of 18 and 24 and may come from anywhere in the United States as long as their high school GPA has been 3.0 or higher. If you re a high school senior in foster care, you can apply in the autumn for yearly the Horatio Alger Scholarship. This program awards between $2,500 and $10,000 per student; monies can be used to pursue a bachelor s degree at any accredited American college or university. The Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) Scholarship annually gives amounts between $500 and $5000 to current or former foster youths who are planning on further their education via academic or vocational training. Any unmarried U.S. foster children with a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.0 and who are under the age of 25 may apply. The National Scholarship Fund for foster children awards between $1,500 and $10,000 to foster youth, former foster youth under 25, and orphans to be used in any state for training i after high h school. Georgia; ; Celebration of Excellence will award scholarships to twenty five current and former Georgia foster kids as they enter college or graduate school. The Celebration of Excellence will also honor those children in foster care who are graduating from high school, GED program, vocational school or college. Last year $72,000 in scholarships were awarded to several deserving students. With additional support from corporate, non-profit and individual sponsors that award has increased to over $92,000 this year s event. Each scholarship recipient will receive either a $4000 scholarship for college or $3000 for graduate school. The Chic Fil La offers a scholarship for children to purchase a car.
#11 Don t Burn Bridges
#12 Get Prepared for your Review Hearing (The children in care ranked #9 and #6)
The Youth Acknowledge they are familiar with WTLP Acknowledge they are familiar with ILP services Have a list of questions before going to team meeting List pros and cons of signing self back into care Have questions for the Judge.
#13 A Copy of Documents showing you were in Care
a copy of court documents that prove youth was in care. Youth may need this proof to quality for special benefits, such as scholarships and financial Aid for higher education. The Youth should request a copy of the order from the permanency hearing.
#14 Get a Job (The children in care voted #2)
This one s a no brainer; of course the youth will need a job before the youth adventure out on their own! Getting a job can be tougher than they think. Even if you are receiving funds from other government sources, no ones is really self sufficient i until they earn their own living. i It s best if the youth can gain work experience and ethics while they are still care. (Some Counties work with the unemployment office to secure jobs for Youth during the summer)
#15 Get medical coverage
Get medical coverage. See a doctor. Before leaving care the youth should check with the caseworker or your Independent Living Coordinator to find out about Chafee Medicaid. If the youth will be losing health coverage, they should make sure they see a doctor for a check- up before leaving care. Make sure all their shots are up to date and that you are in the best health they can be in.
#16 See a Therapist
Get mental health coverage. See a therapist before leaving care. Youth transitioning from foster care may be eligible for mental health coverage. If you they are losing mental health coverage, they should see a counselor before leaving care and get help coping with the stress and anxiety most youth have when transitioning out of foster care.
#17 Open a Bank Account
Open a bank account (and savings too). Sun Trust Bank or other Bank
#18 Save Money
Save Money. Most young adults are taken by surprise by the cost of living on their own. An adult should help the youth work out a monthly budget for life after foster care. The Youth should try to save enough money to cover three months of the budget, plus the move-cost for their first apartment.
#19 Have a support net work
The Youth should make sure they have a safety net. Make a PACT with Supportive adults. Youth that are successful when they transition out foster care have one thing in common: They have supportive adults in their lives that they can count on. They should talk with supportive adults in their life about a PACT. Even invite them to the family team meetings so they are aware of the WTLP. (CASA, Teachers or fit of kin) Learn more at www.fosterclub.com.
#20 Daily life Skill Classes
Take daily living skills classes. They will help you mold yourself in the Adult that you want to be. Get set for adulthood learning skills for life after foster care. Independent living Program (ILP) or caseworker about classes offered. Check out classes at your local community College Or as your foster parents to work with you on life skills. (h (they can download d an entire book of ideas called Ready, Set, Fly! at www.caseylifeskills.org)
#21 Keep Your Records
Build and independent living portfolio. Keeps a professional portfolio containing the following: complete sample job application and apartment rental application, resume, education records awards and achievements, and copies of personal documents. For ideas, check out the FYI binder at www.fosterclub.com or contact your IL coordinator for a Transition Packet