Pathways to Success Reflecting on the Foster Youth Summer Jobs Experience October 29, 2009

WELCOME Hosted by New Ways to Work Co-Sponsored by Casey Family Programs California Youth Connection California Department of Education Child and Family Policy Institute of California Foster Youth Education and Career Network Foster Youth Career Development and Employment Task Force California Career Resource Network California Workforce Association Supported by Casey Family Programs, Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, and The San Francisco Foundation 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Today’s Agenda 10:00Welcome and Overview 10:15Introductions 10:35Career Development and Employment 11:00Break 11:10California Career Resource Network 11:30Panel Presentation 12:15Lunch 12:45Connecting to and Supporting Career Development and Employment 1:15Strategy Session 2:30Report Out and Next Steps 3:00Adjourn 2009 Foster Youth Forums

New Ways to Work Builds community connections that prepare youth for success 25 years building comprehensive youth-serving systems nationally Focuses on effectively targeting public resources to prepare youth for the future Connects efforts to economic development Pioneered the All Youth-One System approach Since 2004 a focus on foster youth transitions 2009 Foster Youth Forums

New Ways to Work Where New Ways Works Supporting connections between schools, community, and the workplace across the nation Building connected transition systems for all youth in California Building community capacity through customized technical assistance locally 2009 Foster Youth Forums

New Ways to Work Current and Former Initiatives Communities and Schools for Career Success Diploma Plus Intermediary Network Partners on the Breakthrough Series Collaborative on ILP Transformation Targeted Technical Assistance – New York City and Chicago Youth Council Institute Youth Transition Action Teams 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Youth Transition Action Teams YTAT Launched in the summer of 2004 with 18 counties participating by 2008 Addressing the issue of transition for youth aging out of foster care Consisting of leaders from child welfare, education, workforce development, and other local systems Improving outcomes for youth aging out of the foster care system in the following areas: Educational achievement and aspiration Workforce readiness Employment Support networks 2009 Foster Youth Forums

2009 Projects Foster Youth Summer Jobs Plus Funded by the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles to work in partnership with the LA YTAT to assist 100 foster youth in connecting their 2009 summer jobs experience to their career and educational goals Foster Youth Career Development Access and Success Funded by the San Francisco Foundation to work within the Bay Area to increase the awareness and access of foster youth to existing career development opportunities Foster Youth Forums

Who’s in the Room? Name Title Organization What do you hope to get out of this meeting? 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Why Are We Here The Need to be Connected and Supported Foster youth need to begin exploring and preparing for careers and employment early Opportunities exist to help prepare young people for careers and the world of work How do we ensure that foster youth are connected to every possible opportunity to be better prepared for a successful future? 2009 Foster Youth Forums

What is Career Development? A sequenced continuum of activities and experiences that address career and college awareness, exploration, and preparation. Includes a series of classroom activities, workplace exposures, and community experiences over time. Seek out programs and services that provide a range of opportunities for students to develop their interests and explore options for their future Foster Youth Forums

Career Development Continuum 2009 Foster Youth Forums

What is Career Development? Key Principles The following key principles support a comprehensive career development system: Provide meaningful career development opportunities Develop youth-centered and developmentally appropriate experiences Engage parents, guardians, and caregivers Provide real world experiences Build a connected system Allow for flexibility and adaptability Measure success and solicit feedback 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Supporting Career Development California Career Resource Network (CalCRN) John Merris-Coots, Executive Director Foster Youth Forums

Local Strategies Our Panelists Rhelda Shabazz Division Chief, Youth Development Services, County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Families Robbie Odom MSW, CSA II, Youth Development Services, County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Families Laura Cantu Assistant Director, City of Los Angeles Community Development Department, Youth Opportunity System Sarah Yi Program Supervisor of Transitional Services, Olive Crest Karine Kannikeberg Resource Teacher, Kern High School District 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Reflecting on the Summer Jobs Program Did every foster youth who wanted to work this summer, get connected? Was the process for enrollment and eligibility verification clear? Were foster youth prioritized in your community? Were foster youth successful? How will the summer experience be connected to next steps? Are foster youth being referred to year-round WIA programs? 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Opportunities that Support Career Development California Career Resource Network (CalCRN) Career Ladders Project The Gateway Project Career Advancement Academies Guardian Scholars Chafee Education and Training Vouchers California College Pathways Foster Youth Success Initiative Adult Education Programs California Connected by 25 Initiative 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Opportunities that Support Employment and Training Employment Development Department – Youth Employment Opportunity Programs – Workforce Investment Act California Conservation Corps Job Corps Youth Build Americorps CalWorks California Department of Rehabilitation – Vocational Rehabilitation Services 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Connecting to Employment What can you do to help: Encourage early career planning (7 th or 8 th grade) Identify interests Determine whether or not college will be required Set short and long term goals Assess work maturity and employability skills Identify part-time employment, internship, or volunteer opportunities to gain skills and experience Create a resume Connect with existing programs that will assist with career and/or employment preparation 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Building Partnerships to Better Serve Foster Youth “ Young people who leave foster care have an increased likelihood for economic stability and success if there is an intentional, integrated and well-coordinated set of supports in place.” National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth Supporting Foster Youth to Achieve Employment and Economic Self-Sufficiency 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Building A Partnership Between Workforce and Child Welfare No one system can do it alone Identify which elements of the system we can change and which elements we need to learn to work within Create relationships Be persistent Collaborate 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Opportunities to Collaborate Priorities in both systems support coordination Staff in systems are open to collaboration Common goal to prepare vulnerable youth for a successful future WIA measures better support foster youth engagement At 18 foster youth can access adult WIA services Both systems contain directives to involve the other Model programs have paved the way Others? 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Connecting Youth to Next Steps What is your role in connecting foster youth to next steps beyond the summer experience? Be aware of resources/programs available specifically to foster youth. Remember that while foster youth have some very specific needs, they can also benefit greatly from the opportunities and experiences that are available to ALL youth Foster Youth Forums

Connecting Youth to Next Steps Find out who and what foster youth are connected to already: Caregivers Social Worker CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Mental Health Counselor Educational Liaison ILP Case Manager Case Plan Individual Education Plan Transitional Housing Program Transitional Independent Living Plan 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Supporting Youth in Opportunities Help youth to identify developmentally appropriate experiences Coach and model positive workplace behaviors Develop learning objectives and/or work-based learning plans Provide opportunities for reflection Practice effective communication skills Document experiences through creation of resumes and portfolios Connect work-based learning to next steps and a career plan 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Mapping Existing Employment Opportunities and Challenges 2009 Foster Youth Forums Identify specific career development/employment opportunities that already exist in your community Identify what gets in the way of foster youth getting connected to these opportunities Define what you can do or do differently to ensure that foster are connected

Next Steps Ensure that Foster Youth are Connected and Supported in Your Community What do you already know? What do you need to find out more about? Who do you need to connect with? What commitments will you make? How will you engage and empower youth and caregivers? 2009 Foster Youth Forums

Resources Provided Career Development Guide to California’s High Schools The purpose of this guide is to provide an orientation to the array of career development programs and services that can typically be found within California’s public schools Foster Youth Transitions Resource List A compilation of resource documents, web links, publications and tools for use by foster youth, caregivers, social workers, education liaisons, independent living skills programs, and other foster youth service professionals 2009 Foster Youth Forums

“We should dream of and plan for a day when fewer children require foster care. But until that day comes, we have a moral responsibility to prepare young people leaving foster care to become whole adults who can fulfill their potential and build bright promising futures.” President Jimmy Carter 2009 Foster Youth Forums