Working with Adolescents

Education: Understanding your responsibility

Responsibilities Regarding Education Attempt to keep youth in school of origin Identify an Educational Liaison at the Shelter Care Hearing and conduct a background check on the liaison for those youth who meet the requirements Educational needs of foster children must be discussed with the child and caregiver at each placement change Request school records and ensure the child is enrolled in school within three days of placement

Responsibilities Regarding Education Meet youth’s ongoing educational needs Develop a long range educational plan Facilitate post-secondary education planning Refer children (0-3) who may have a disability or developmental delay to the appropriate early intervention agency Refer all children (3 to 18) with a developmental concern to the Child Find program or local school district for an assessment

Child Health and Education Tracking (CHET) Program Conducts an initial screening within 30 days of placement covering: Health Mental Health Education Identifies any long term well-being needs Provides a baseline for on-going monitoring

Well-Being Domains CHET Screeners assess each child in the following five domains: – Physical Health (Medical and Dental) – Developmental – Education – Emotional/Behavioral Health – Family, Social and Community Connections

Providing Normalcy Participation in everyday activities such as: Extracurricular activities Birthday parties School related trips Driver’s Education Sports Spend time with friends

Adolescent Policies and Procedures

Foster Youth Rights Youth age 12 and older need to be informed of their rights including the right to request an attorney Annually youth are to be provided a copy of “Your Rights Your Life – A Resource for Youth in Foster Care”

Referral to Independent Living (IL) Program Make Independent Living (IL) referral to a contracted IL provider when a youth turns 15 A referral is needed to generate services The referral form is in Famlink within the Create Casework tab

Identicard for Foster Youth Every youth needs a form of identification Simplified process to get foster youth a WA state id card is form DSHS entitled “Identicard for Youth in Foster Care” Request for Identicard reduced fee waiver (form DSHS ) should also be completed by a CA employee so that the fee for the identicard is reduced to $5.00

Washington State Identicard Form

Assessment and Planning Youth age 15 and older need to complete the Casey Life Skills Assessment (CLSA) annually Once CLSA is completed the youth and social worker would develop a learning plan to identify goals and tasks to increase life skills Website: Contracted IL providers can assist you with this task if the youth has been referred and participating in IL with the provider

National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Federal Requirement to document all Independent Living Services provided to youth. Contracted IL providers and Tribes input data into the IL page in Famlink The Division of Research and Data Analysis conduct surveys of our foster youth and former foster youth

Type of IL services reported in NYTD? There are 11 categories of services: IL needs assessment Academic Support Post Secondary Educational Support Career Preparation Employment Programs & Vocational Training Budget & Financial Management Housing Education & Home Management Training Health Education & Risk Prevention Family Support & Healthy Marriage Education Mentoring Supervised IL arrangements

Annual Credit Checks Annual credit checks are required for youth age 16 and older Credit checks to be completed with the following three agencies: – Equifax – Experian – TransUnion Any discrepancies noticed on credit report will need to be addressed

Transition Planning A shared planning meeting for foster youth occurs between age 17 and 17.5 years old to help youth identify a transition plan for exiting care The shared planning meeting and plan should be Youth Focused and Youth Driven Youth invites important people in their life to attend this staffing Uses tool: Transition Plan for Youth Exiting Care found in Famlink (DSHS form )

Topics Covered in Transition Plan Education Employment Housing Health Insurance Opportunities for mentors and continuing support Work force supports and employment training

Next Steps After Development of Plan During monthly health and safety visits the transition plan is reviewed with the youth and any changes are noted and reflected in the actual plan (which is documented in Famlink) This monthly review continues until such time as youth transitions from care

Pregnant and Parenting Youth Connect youth who are pregnant and/or parenting to supportive resources including: – The Pregnant and Parenting Youth Tool Kit – – www. Washingteenhelp.org – Contracted Independent Living providers New policy, procedures and materials are in development and will be available soon

Extended Foster Care Program which enables youth to remain in a dependency action on their 18 th birthday (up to their 21 st birthday) to complete their secondary or post secondary education or to remove barriers to employment. Eligibility: – Dependent in foster care on 18th birthday (complete form DSHS # ) – Enrolled in high school or equivalency program; OR – Enrolled or applied for and can demonstrate intent to timely enroll in college or a vocational program – Participating in a program or activity that will promote employment of remove barriers to employment – Youth have a 12 month timeframe from their 18 th birthday to participate

 Youth graduates from high school, obtains high school equivalency certificate, college or technical college degree  Become employed more than 80 hours a month  Are no longer working to complete their high school diploma, high school equivalency certificate, college or technical college degree, or no longer participating in a program or an activity to promote employment or remove barriers to employment  Elects not to participate in program  Reaches age 21  Leaves CA approved placement without permission  Committed to the Department of Corrections

Supportive Resources Hmmm…… …..wondering what resources are available to help youth get an education and obtain the skills to become self- sufficient adults?

Educational Advocacy Program Advocates in each of the 6 DCFS Regions to focus solely on the educational success of foster youth All youth in out of home care with unmet educational needs or facing disciplinary action are eligible Provides three levels of advocacy: – Direct Advocacy – Consultation – Information & Referral Training to social workers, caregivers and community providers

Education Advocacy Program  Educational Advocates are trained to assist in the following areas:  Additional services in school  Reduction of school discipline  Increase in attendance  Enrollment/school continuity  Credit transition and retrieval  Ensuring academic and grade progression  Increasing self-advocacy skills

Supplemental Educational Transition Planning (SETuP) Provides foster youth with:  Information regarding post secondary planning  Required courses to take  How/when to apply for post secondary  Community linkages and coordination Eligibility  years old and in foster care in WA State  Priority given to youth not currently served or are receiving limited services by any other educational programs

Independent Living Program Services to current and former foster youth age 15 up to their 21 st birthday. Services include: Daily Living Skills Stability & Healthy Connections Educational Support Career & Vocational Exploration Job Placement and Retention Housing (funds may be available to help with room and board costs)

Post Secondary Scholarships, Programs and Supports

Finding Scholarships Start looking 10 th and 11 th grade Talk to counselors and check school news Read literature from colleges of choice Visit free sites on the Internet Check the library Check with employers Contact clubs & organizations DON’T PAY for this service!

Sources of Financial Aid Federal Financial AidState Financial AidOther Aid Pell GrantState Need GrantGovernors’ Scholarship Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Passport to College Scholarship Institutional grants, scholarships and work study Work StudyCollege BoundPrivate Scholarships LoansWork Study Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) For students to be eligible to receive financial aid and scholarships they must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). – The FAFSA is located at: – Students must apply each year on or shortly after January 1 to ensure they receive financial aid in a timely manner. – Must be done by the college/university deadline date.

College Bound Scholarship 4 year scholarship available to 7 th and 8 th graders whose families are unable to pay for college Promises annual college tuition and a yearly $500 book allowance Youth must graduate from high school, be accepted in college, meet income requirements and be crime free All foster youth are eligible and automatically enrolled

Governors’ Scholarship Established in 2001 by Governor Locke Must be a senior in high school to apply Must be recognized as dependent youth in WA state or in federal or tribal out of home care Need minimum GPA 2.0 Must attend an accredited school in WA Scholarships range between $2000-$4000 depending on college of attendance and is good until completion of study (up to 5 years)

Passport for Foster Youth Promise Scholarship Scholarship and assistance (through WA Student Achievement Council)  Scholarships to avoid loans  Help overcoming barriers to going to college Eligibility  Youth was a dependent of the State of WA and in foster care on their 18th birthday on or after  Youth in Extended Foster Care  Youth who achieved a permanent plan after age 17 1/2  Spent at least one year in foster care after their 16th birthday  Is a resident of Washington State  Are or will be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible institution of higher education in WA State by the age of twenty-one  Have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree  May not be pursuing a degree in theology  Have a financial need

Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) Available to current and former foster youth nationwide up to age 21 provided they remain in good academic standing and high school youth attending running start Provides financial assistance (based on need up to $5000 toward the cost of attendance) for education or vocational training after high school Youth adopted or entering into relative guardianship after age 16 can also participate in this program Youth enrolled prior to age 21 can continue to receive until age 23 or EDUETV

Independent Youth Housing Program (IYHP) Provides housing voucher assistance to former foster youth who on or after September 1, 2006 meet the following criteria:  18 years of age or older  A dependent of the WA state in the month before their 18th birthday  Have not yet reached age 23  Total income does not exceed 50% of the area median income Priority will be given to youth who were dependents of the state for at least one year. Youth may receive:  Monthly rent  Utility payments (gas and electricity)  Move in costs  Cost for credit checks  Cost for parking  Case management services

Medicaid to 26 Provides Medicaid benefits to youth age exiting foster care or other eligible out-of-home placements as of July 22, Prior to leaving care the youth will need to call the Foster Care MEDS Team (FCMT) at extension to provide a mailing address. This will ensure that the youth receives a medical identification card (med coupon) every month. Youth in the adoption support program are not eligible.

Youth Voice Passion to Action – CA’s Statewide Youth Advisory Board – Comprised of current and former foster youth – Provides feedback on policies and practices – Mockingbird Network – Network of local chapters led by youth and alumni of care – Focus on: Developing youth and training leaders Strengthening communities and encouraging civic engagement Addressing local/statewide issues affecting children and youth in foster care – “Nothing about us without us”

Permanency Pact Agreement between a young person and a supportive adult which defines the scope of a relationship which is intended to provide permanence and specific supports for the youth. rticle/permanency-pact rticle/permanency-pact

Washington State’s Adolescent Website

Get Youth Connected Be a support! Actively listen! Start planting the seed early that post secondary education is an option Inform youth of the resources available Help connect them to the resources Encourage participation!

Resources Casey Family Programs College Success Foundation Court Appointed Special Advocates Treehouse National Resource Center for Youth Services Foster Care Alumni of America Foster Club National Foster Parents Association Why Foster?