78 Subgroups of Youth Transitioning to Adulthood from Foster Care Based on longitudinal study in three states in the Midwest led by Mark Courtney Suggested four subgroups with distinctive characteristics Youth can and do move among the subgroups Accelerated Adults Emerging Adults Struggling Parents Troubled and Troubling

79 Accelerated Adults 36% of total group 2/3 of group is female Most likely to live on own in stable situation Almost all have high school diploma Most likely to be employed Over half have attended some college

Accelerated Adults Low rate of criminal conviction Nearly ½ have resident children Most likely to have completed key transitions “Grow up” faster & “take on adult responsibilities” 80

Struggling Parents 25% of total group Nearly ¾ female More likely to be African American Most have resident children Most likely to be married or cohabiting Equally likely to live on own, or with relatives, friends or others 81

Struggling Parents Least likely to have finished high school or attend college Least likely to be currently enrolled 25% unemployed Lowest rate of employment Low rate of criminal conviction Low level of social support 82

Emerging Adults 20% of total group Slightly over 50% male All living with friends, relatives or in settings not their own Majority have finished high school Second highest rate of having some college Second highest rate of current employment 83

Emerging Adults Least likely to have children Those that have children, 2/3 are nonresident Least likely to have been married Least likely to have been homeless or couch surfed Some delayed adult markers but have avoided hardship 84

Troubled and Troubling 20% of total group Vast majority are male Most likely to be currently incarcerated, otherwise institutionalized, homeless and/or experienced high residential mobility 85

Troubled and Troubling 2/5 have not finished high school 1/10 have some college Least likely to be employed Nearly half have children but do not live with them Over 4/5 have a criminal conviction since age 18 86

Troubled and Troubling Least likely to be prepared to be on their own at exit from care Most likely to report mental health and/or substance abuse problems Most likely to have been homeless or couch surfed Lowest level of social support 87

Building New Relationships Identify youth’s perspective on need for new relationships With adults With peers 88

Rebuilding Old Relationships Youth has decision making Safety issues Balanced perceptions Assistance with contacts Debrief experiences 89

For All Relationships Issues of trust Issues of accountability Issues of dependability Positive contribution –To youth’s life –Youth to lives of others 90

Meeting the Needs of Non-Minor Dependents Exploring the practice implications for working with non minor dependents Three opportunities for deep conversations Spend 20 minutes talking, doodling, writing down phrases, ideas, thoughts, inspirations 91

Harvesting Wisdom Each table needs a volunteer host Briefly recap prior conversations for next group Summarize ideas for presentation to larger group All participants should chime in 92

93

Placement Considerations NMD youth are adults Placements should be least restrictive Encourage independence Developmental needs and readiness for independence Decisions are made in conversation with the youth 94

Living Options Relative or NREFM placement Foster care including foster family agency placement and intensive therapeutic foster care Continued group care if indicated by medical necessity (includes mental health needs) Small Family Home Whole Family Foster Home 95

Living Options THPP THP + FC SILP (Supervised Independent Living Placement) –College dorm –Rented room –Shared apartment or living arrangement 96

Assessment for SILP Readiness assessment must be completed –State approved assessment already in use for TILP may be used (Ansell Casey Life Skills or Daniel Memorial) Assess knowledge of financial skills/developmentally ready for daily living 97

Assessment for SILP Assess readiness generously Denial of SILP can be made for reasons such as –Rent and utilities exceeds income –Unstable income –No knowledge of money –Unable to care for self 98

Shared Living Agreements In any shared living arrangement (foster care, NREFM, SILP that includes shared living arrangement) Spells out concrete details In the event of disagreements 99

Maltreatment of Non-minor Dependents Maltreatment of a NMD by a licensed caregiver is reportable by a placement agency Responsibility for intake and evaluation of risk is extended to NMD Requirement for cross reporting is extended to NMD 100

At Transitional Planning If youth is listed as victim on Child Abuse Central Index report At age 18, youth may request removal of information from Child Abuse Central Index Make written request to Department of Justice Must be notarized and include name, address, SSN and DOB 101

Case Plans Case plans shall have a goal of Permanent Placement with Planned Permanent Living Arrangement Routinely updated per current regulations Be youth driven, team- based 102

Case Plans for Group Home Placement Must address: –Group home as best placement to meet needs –Transition to independent living –Treatment strategies that lead to less restrictive setting –Target date for discharge from group home –Periodic review 103

Case Plans for SILP Placement in a SILP must be specified in case plan Appropriate for developmental needs 104

Benefits of Youth Leadership Engagement increases when there is a feeling of choice People who choose what they do are more excited, interested, & confident When youth choose activities, they have more positive mood, higher well-being, & perform better Contributes to growing self-efficacy Greater optimism, hope & persistence Better mental health, coping and less depression Adopt healthy habits and maintain behavior change 105