Foster Care & Transition Clayton Rees, MPA:HA, MS, CRC Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services Tina Anctil, Ph.D, CRC, LPC.

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
A Call to Action Wednesday, December 1st 9:00am-12:00pm 1000 W. Tharpe Street, Tallahassee.
Advertisements

Creating vital partnerships between: Children Home School Community.
LIFE, LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT
Child Welfare, Education and the Courts Joyce Burrell, M.S. American Institutes for Research #2 presentation on Panel with Dr. Gary Mallon; Sixto Cancel.
Discussion of SEC Policy Statement Adopted January 10, 2011.
Quality Parenting for Children in Foster Care Act Nancy C. Detert Common Sense and Compassion Independent Living Act July 31, 2013.
The Special Education Process 1 Connecting Research to Practice for Teacher Educators.
Each Year, nationwide, 1.2 million students fail to graduate from high school!
Educating Youth in Foster Care. The Experience of Youth in Foster Care The link between foster care and low academic performance has been documented nationwide.
Agenda My Background Homeless and Highly Mobile Children and Families McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Our Research What we all can do Website.
Background-  “Compared to the non [out of home] care population, children in care have poor educational outcomes.”   36.7% of children have long.
Aging out of Foster Care Transitions to Adulthood.
Planning With Youth in Transition Tips, Tools and Techniques.
Utilizing Child Welfare Resources June 12,  School vs. working or school AND working  Transportation  Education - what it takes to live on your.
Foster Youth and the Transition to Adulthood: Findings from the Midwest Study Mark Courtney, Principal Investigator Amy Dworsky, Project Director.
Educational Challenges, and Opportunities, for Foster Children and Youth Mark E. Courtney, Ph.D. POC Executive Director Ballmer Chair in Child Well-Being.
FOSTERING SUCCESS Presented by: Amanda Metivier, MSW Youth Education Coordinator.
Youth Transitioning from Foster Care Training for District Court Judges North Carolina Institute of Government March 31, 2006 Chris Sinha Joan McAllister.
Foster Youth S.  Children and youth who have been removed from their birth parents or other custodial adults by state authority because of abuse or neglect.
Wraparound Milwaukee was created in 1994 to provide coordinated community-based services and supports to families of youth with complex emotional, behavioral.
Mission: Protect the Vulnerable, Promote Strong and Economically Self- Sufficient Families, and Advance Personal and Family Recovery and Resiliency. Rick.
Introductions Social Issues Historical Overview Purpose and Goals Program Eligibility Legislation Permanent Connections Resources to Promote Permanency.
Transition and the IEP Why is effective transition planning important?
Educational Champion Training MODULE 12: Mentoring Non-Minor Dependents and/or their Educational Champions © National Center for Youth Law, April 2013.
TRANSITION School, Work, & Independence Learning Disability Association of Utah & Dyslexia Center of Utah, October 10, 2014.
Youth with Disabilities in Foster Care Transitioning to Adulthood Joan Neuville March 26, 2013.
ADVOCACY FOR OLDER FOSTER YOUTH February 24, 2004 Kimberly Preston, Staff Attorney Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association.
Independent Living Christine Lenske Beth Rudy. Agenda Enhancement Background Review Requirements –Tracking Independent Living Services –Self Reported.
Chapter 10 Recruiting Children ©2013 Cengage Learning.
The Transition Process Vickie Kummer UNF SOAR Program Fall 2004.
1 EDUCATION: Court Reports: What to include related to the Child’s Education.
Neglected & Delinquent (N&D) Foster Care Program School Mental Health Component Javier Zuniga License Clinical Social Worker 13+ years LAUSD 5TH. year.
Transition Planning Parent Information Meeting Brooke Gassman, Keystone AEA Parent - Educator Coordinator Lori Anderson, DCSD Transition Facilitator Stephanie.
Module 4 Helping Youth in Foster Care Transition to and Be Successful in School.
Improving Education Outcomes for Court- Involved Youth Jessica Feierman April 10, 2015.
SUPPORTING POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS OF STUDENTS FROM FOSTER CARE 2014 IASFAA Conference Tuesday October 7, 2014 Anna Moreshead.
All information recovered from: Flexer, R. W., Baer, R. M., Luft, P., & Simmons, T. J. (2008). Transition Planning for Secondary Students with Disabilities.
WORKFORCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY ACT OPPORTUNITY YOUTH PROGRAM Clayton County Board of Education Workforce Investment Act Team.
EDUCATION RECONNECTION. Presenters Colin Andrews, Case Manager Youth Opportunities Unlimited 422 East South Street Kalamazoo, Michigan Phone:
Creating a Model for Foster Youth in Higher Education The John Seita Scholars Program October 11, 2011 Mark Delorey and Deng Moses.
District 214 – Transition Planning System Buffalo Grove High School Special Education Department.
Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes at Age 19 Chapin Hall Center for Children University of Chicago.
San Francisco Unified School District Student Support Services Department Foster Youth Services Program FYS Liaison Orientation.
Independent Living Services and Outcomes Reporting Christine Lenske Beth Rudy.
Educating Youth in Foster Care Shanna McBride and Angela Griffin, M.Ed.
11/28/12 1 CALIFORNIA FOSTERING CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS ACT Version 2.0 Assembly Bill 12.
Fostering Northern Arizona University. Fostering NAU What is foster care? Foster care is the term used for a system in which a minor.
TRANSITION STEPS FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO ADULT SERVICES DEVELOP TRANSITION PLAN AT IEP MEETING DEVELOP TRANSITION PLAN AT IEP MEETING Begin transition process.
Public Children Services Association of Ohio SAFE CHILDREN, STABLE FAMILIES, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES.
Important Changes to Youth Services in WIOA. Youth Services in WIOA Some of the most significant changes from WIA to WIOA are related to youth services.
Tina Anctil, Ph.D, CRC, LPC Portland State University, Rehabilitation Counselor Education ; Clayton Rees, MPA:HA, MS, CRC
DON’T WRITE THEM OFF Give At-Risk Students A Chance To Succeed In 2009 the U.S. had 3,004,600 dropouts. ( Laura Brown EDU 644 Child.
GROWING LEADERS Opportunity. Engagement. Achievement. Emma Ramirez Guardian Scholars Program Supporting Foster Youth Students Attain Their.
1 Torrance Unified School District Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (800) Up to 3 FREE sessions per problem per person per year Automatic enrollment.
Foster Care Alumni An overlooked student population in higher education Sheila Bustillos Reynolds & Amanda Clay.
This Isn’t My Room: Living Away from Mom and Dad Presented by: Carmen Landy Helping Hands, Inc. for Summer Institute.
Transition Plan Writing for the School Year.
Session Outcomes Overview of Project STAY OUT
Carmen M. Sanchez Education Program Specialist
Educational Advocacy And The CASA Volunteer.
Maryland Healthy Transition Initiative
Education Advocacy for STUDENTS in State Care
Presented by Hill Country CASA
Working with Transitioning Youth
Raising CSU Foster Youth Raising CSU S.
Standards-based Individualized Education Program: Module Eight: Additional Components Specific to Secondary IEPs SBIEP Module Eight: Additional Components.
The Transition Planning Process
The Family Guideposts: Engaging in Youth Transitions
Program Training.
Transitioning to Independence
Presentation transcript:

Foster Care & Transition Clayton Rees, MPA:HA, MS, CRC Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services Tina Anctil, Ph.D, CRC, LPC Portland State University Counselor Education

“I used to think it was all about being free of the system – free to be on my own. Had my own place, was partying with my friends, having a great old time, didn’t need nobody. Before I knew it I was jobless, homeless and all those “friends” just disappeared. I was independent but I was alone. Independence is over-rated!” -Victor, graduate of foster care

“How is it that they can take you away from your family, cut off your right to see them and then let you grow up and go out with no one? In what world does that make sense?” -“June,” foster care alumna

How many children are in foster care? 500,000  30,000 age out annually

Oregon Statistics In 2009, on an average daily basis in Oregon there were 5,833 children served in family foster care. 64.8% placed due to physical abuse – 50% due to parental drug or alcohol abuse. 46.4% entered foster care had 4 or more reasons for home removal. Age: 39% % % > 13 years Male 50.9% Female 49.1

Foster Care & Disabilities in Oregon Youth > 14 years of age by special problem or IEP 2302 children in foster care who are >14. Approx 1000 of these children have at least one recorded, diagnosed “special problem” – including emotional/behavioral problems. 957 on IEP or IFSP. Of this population, 345 were being served by Services to People with Disabilities.

Brain Research - Maturity Complex Trauma – Stress Trauma for youth in the Child Welfare system Ambiguous Loss Disenfrachised Grief Neuroplasticity Resilience Harlow Studies – inhibited/dis-inhibited behavior MEDICAL, COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONSL ISSUES

Youth with Disabilities In foster care Over half of foster youth alumni had mental health problems compared to 22% of general population. 25% had PTSD versus 4% of general population 20% had major depressions versus 10% of general pop. Social phobia, panic syndrome, and generalized anxiety disorders at higher rates

Youth in Care Personal/Social Issues emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues Overly restricted environments Distractions from home Adjusting to new families Recovering from abuse and neglect Educational Issues Educational Instability Repeat Grades Change Schools achievement tests graduation rates

The importance of connection is amplified for alumni of foster care Reasons for disconnection Reasons for disconnection dropping out of school dropping out of school running away from their homes, foster care placements, rehabilitations, and detention centers; running away from their homes, foster care placements, rehabilitations, and detention centers; failing to take part in societal experiences, such as getting a job, spending time with friends, and joining clubs. failing to take part in societal experiences, such as getting a job, spending time with friends, and joining clubs. Lack of consistency or permanency in their family situations means a lack of mentoring and adult guidance. Lack of consistency or permanency in their family situations means a lack of mentoring and adult guidance. Many youth with disabilities can end up feeling isolated, lonely, and even rejected by societal experiences. Many youth with disabilities can end up feeling isolated, lonely, and even rejected by societal experiences.

22% homelessness rate 33% have no health insurance Only 43% are employed Less Likely to go to college 20% go to college Only 5% complete college High pregnancy Rates 50% of females have been pregnant by the age of 19 Compared to 20% of non- foster peers Criminal Activity 38% have been arrested by the age of 19 Compared to 7% of non- foster peers Poor Transition Outcomes

Systems perspective School and special education system School and special education system Child welfare system & foster care system Child welfare system & foster care system Dependency court system Dependency court system Health systems Health systems Mental health system most likely Mental health system most likely Juvenile Justice System? Juvenile Justice System?

Many, Many Examples of System Barriers There is almost no alignment of IDEA’s IEP transition plan with the transition plan required by the public child welfare system for foster youth There is almost no alignment of IDEA’s IEP transition plan with the transition plan required by the public child welfare system for foster youth Coordination between public education and public child welfare is crucial for ensuring that youth with disabilities who are also in foster care receive the assistance and services they need for successful transition. Coordination between public education and public child welfare is crucial for ensuring that youth with disabilities who are also in foster care receive the assistance and services they need for successful transition. Example: Independent Living Goals must be emphasized about all else. Example: Independent Living Goals must be emphasized about all else.

All Youth Need mental and/or physical health services transportation tutoring financial planning and management post-program supports through structured arrangements in postsecondary institutions and adult service agencies connections to other services and opportunities Youth with Disabilities May Also Need appropriate assistive technologies community orientation and mobility training exposure to post-program supports (e.g., independent living centers) personal assistance services (e.g., interpreters) benefits-planning counseling Youth in Foster Care May Also Need opportunities to obtain a driver’s license library card, voter registration, birth certificate, or medical records adults who can serve as adult systems “navigators” transitional and long-term housing safety information for personal relationships and independent living access to financial aid opportunities for college parenting information and childcare information on health care connections to municipalities foster care caseworkers making connections in work and community on behalf of these youth National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth Negotiating the Curves Toward Employment: A Guide About Youth Involved in the Foster Care System. 2007

Transition Activities May... Decreasing hopelessness Decreasing hopelessness Reducing health-risk behaviors Reducing health-risk behaviors Enhancing relationships with parental figures Enhancing relationships with parental figures Increasing school commitment Increasing school commitment

79% of high school students in foster care have college aspirations 12 to 18 months post emancipation 12 to 18 months post emancipation only 55% had graduated from high school only 55% had graduated from high school only 9% had entered college and only 9% had entered college and 37% had not obtained a diploma or a GED 37% had not obtained a diploma or a GED

Common barriers to post-secondary success Deficits in study skills such as test preparation, note-taking, and listening comprehension Deficits in study skills such as test preparation, note-taking, and listening comprehension Problems with organizational skills Problems with organizational skills Difficulties with social interaction Difficulties with social interaction Deficits in specific academic areas, with reading and written composition being the most frequent Deficits in specific academic areas, with reading and written composition being the most frequent Low self-esteem Low self-esteem Higher school dropout rates Higher school dropout rates

Post-Secondary Education Resources Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 This law established the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP), which enables states to provide independent living programs and services to foster youth “aging out” of the foster care system. This law established the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP), which enables states to provide independent living programs and services to foster youth “aging out” of the foster care system. Educational and Training Vouchers (ETV) Program for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care (2002) Educational and Training Vouchers (ETV) Program for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care (2002) provides education and training funds to those foster youth most likely to be in the system on their 18th birthdays (as well as youth adopted at age 16 or later); provides education and training funds to those foster youth most likely to be in the system on their 18th birthdays (as well as youth adopted at age 16 or later); youth up to age 23 are eligible so long as they are enrolled in a postsecondary education or training program on their 21st birthday. youth up to age 23 are eligible so long as they are enrolled in a postsecondary education or training program on their 21st birthday. provides vouchers worth up to $5,000 per student per year for the cost of attending these institutions. provides vouchers worth up to $5,000 per student per year for the cost of attending these institutions.

Role of the transition specialist or rehab counselor? We know that youth who experience a caring relationship with an adult are better equipped with the skills necessary to: combat the risk factors in their environment, and achieve at levels higher than expected levels.

ADVOCATE! Establish a true permanency goal for every youth, whether that is reunification, adoption, subsidized guardianship or formal long-term placement with relatives. Emancipation, independent living or “another planned living arrangement,” unless it is a vetted and supported one with committed kin, should not be permanency goals for youth. Emancipation, independent living or “another planned living arrangement,” unless it is a vetted and supported one with committed kin, should not be permanency goals for youth. When all other options have been exhausted or ruled out, at the very least every youth should be connected with a committed, supportive adult. When all other options have been exhausted or ruled out, at the very least every youth should be connected with a committed, supportive adult. oo_old.php oo_old.php oo_old.php oo_old.php

Promote Resilience! Extended family or support systems in the community that encourage trust Extended family or support systems in the community that encourage trust Autonomy and initiative Autonomy and initiative Positive role models (caring neighbors, teachers, elder mentors, youth workers, peers) that reinforce and reward the child’s competencies Positive role models (caring neighbors, teachers, elder mentors, youth workers, peers) that reinforce and reward the child’s competencies (Werner, 1995; Masten, 1994; Werner & Smith, 1992; Carlson & Sroufe, 1995). Good communication and problem solving skills Good communication and problem solving skills The ability to recruit substitute caregivers The ability to recruit substitute caregivers Having a talent or hobby that is valued by their elders or peers Having a talent or hobby that is valued by their elders or peers Faith that their own actions can make a positive difference in their lives Faith that their own actions can make a positive difference in their lives

Resources HB 3471 – post secondary institutions to waive tuition and fees for current and former foster care youth under < 25 years of age. HB 3471 – post secondary institutions to waive tuition and fees for current and former foster care youth under < 25 years of age. Youth with Disabilities in the Foster Care System: Barriers to Success and Proposed Policy Solutions areSystem_Report.html Youth with Disabilities in the Foster Care System: Barriers to Success and Proposed Policy Solutions areSystem_Report.html areSystem_Report.html areSystem_Report.html Casey Family Programs Casey Family Programs A Road Map For Learning A Road Map For Learning Endless Dreams Endless Dreams Mythbusting: Breaking Down the Confidentiality and Decision Making Barriers Mythbusting: Breaking Down the Confidentiality and Decision Making Barriers It’s My Life Guides It’s My Life Guides

Resources Youth with Disabilities in the Foster Care System: Barriers to Success and Proposed Policy Solutions Youth with Disabilities in the Foster Care System: Barriers to Success and Proposed Policy Solutions b=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED500321&ERICExtS earch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED b=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED500321&ERICExtS earch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED Casey Family Programs Casey Family Programs A Road Map For Learning A Road Map For Learning Endless Dreams Endless Dreams Mythbusting: Breaking Down the Confidentiality and Decision Making Barriers Mythbusting: Breaking Down the Confidentiality and Decision Making Barriers It’s My Life Guides It’s My Life Guides

Resources Foster Club Foster Club Foster Care Alumni of America Foster Care Alumni of America The National Council on Independent Living The National Council on Independent Living The National Youth Leadership The National Youth Leadership

Resources DHS Independent Living Program National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges: Asking the Right Questions Retrieved from: tionalOutcomes/education%20checklist% pdf tionalOutcomes/education%20checklist% pdf

Oregon Financial Aid college-foster-youth.aspx college-foster-youth.aspx college-foster-youth.aspx college-foster-youth.aspx