1. Weekend Miracles A global voice for change,
Kidsave makes miracles for children
the world has forgotten.

2. Tell Us About Yourself…
How did you learn about Kidsave?
Do you know someone who has adopted, fostered, hosted a youth?
What interested you in getting involved?

3. Agenda Kidsave history and programs How the Weekend Miracles works
What it means to host
Application process
Other ways you can get involved

4. Kidsave History Founded in 1997 Family Visit Model first used in 1999
Over 4,000 family visits – for international and domestic adoption
Kidsave’s programs include: Note below
Summer Miracles - U.S.
Russia
Encuentros Milagrosos - Colombia
Sierra Leone - Africa
Weekend Miracles - Los Angeles County

5. The Problem Over 35,000 youth receiving services
Currently 17,826 are in out- of-home care.
Roughly 500 are waiting to be adopted.
Overlooked for adoption because they are considered “too old”.
About 1,000 youth “age out” every year.

6. The Problem Fewer than 50% of foster youth graduate high school
Half will not have been employed by age 21
40% of homeless population are former foster youth
Former foster youth are 10 times more likely to be imprisoned than their peers

7. Solution - Connections
Research indicates that a connected, caring relationship with an adult is the most important factor in preventing negative outcomes for foster youth and orphans.
This connection helps lead the youth on path towards a healthier and productive adulthood.

8. The Weekend Miracles Program
Partnership with Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
Connects older youth (ages 9-18) with adults who help them achieve legal and relational permanency
A weekend hosting program where “hosts” volunteer to spend a minimum of two days a month for one year with a youth.
Provides opportunities through advocacy events for youth and potential hosts and adoptive families to meet

9. The Goal
The goal of the Weekend Miracles program is to create permanent families and lasting connections for older youth growing up in the
foster care system.

10. The Youth Foster youth with no stable adult connection Ages 9-18
Family Reunification services terminated
Living with a foster family, in group home or residential center
Open to adoption, guardianship, or a connection
Mentally and physically able to handle the program
Participation is voluntary

11. Hosts in Action CASE STUDY: Joy and Joe
Joy joined the program in 2006 with the idea of hosting a girl
Joe, a 14-year old foster youth, was very reluctant to get involved in the program (was in over 20 placements); he wore headphones to his first event
Joy met Joe in December Although Joe tried to keep his guard up, Joy was friendly and persistent.
Shortly after meeting, Joy and Joe began their hosting relationship
Joe moved into Joy’s home in 2008.
Today Joe is living independently and attending community college, but Joy continues to be a permanent connection to him.

12. What it Means to Host Hosts are volunteers Make a 1 year commitment
Spend time with a youth a minimum of twice a month
Build a relationship
Transport youth to community events
Provide a safe, stable environment
Support youth with academics, life skills and transitions
Advocate to help the youth find a permanent family
Day Hosting or Weekend Hosting
Using the transitions framework

13. Who Can Host? 24 years and older Couples Singles
Families with other children
There are important considerations - prior medical/ psychiatric history, arrests (including DUI), substance abuse, etc.* (* these must be disclosed and could prevent program participation)

14. Community Events Fun, safe, youth-centered activities
Where connections are made
Youth meet prospective host and adoptive families
Evaluation forms are completed
Occur every month
– youth and families engage with each other

15. Host Approval Process Orientation Meeting Application Packet
Clearances
Driving Documents
CPR/First Aid and TB test
15 hour Host Training
In-home assessment
Approval by DCFS or dually licensed FFA
Current PS MAPP and PRIDE training will waive 10-hour requirement, Advocacy training required for all hosts

16. Application Overview Three Month Timeline
First Month
Complete Kidsave Application
Submit Driving Documents
CA Driver’s License
Auto Registration
Auto Insurance
Host Training One
(Not applicable if family has completed MAPP or PRIDE)
Clearances All household members over the age of 18
Second Month
Host Training Two
(Not applicable if family has completed MAPP or PRIDE)
Program & Advocacy Training Webinar
TB Test All household members over 3 years old.
Third Month
CPR/First Aid Certification
Final Step
Home visit for family assessment

17. Impact Permanency and positive outcomes for youth
Engages families who would otherwise not become involved
Make “believers” out of social workers
Youth Empowerment

18. Complete the application Join us at our next weekend event April 9th
Next Steps
Complete the application
RSVP for trainings!
Join us at our next weekend event April 9th
Host Training Part 1: Sunday, April 17th 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Host Training Part 2: Sunday, April 24th 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Children’s Bureau
14600 Ramona Blvd.
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
Program and Advocacy Training: Thursday, April 21st 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Online Webinar
*Prospective attendants must submit a host application prior to training.*

19. Going to our event?
Treat all youth as you would any person you have never met before; respecting personal boundaries and allowing time to “warm-up”
Meet and get to know the wonderful youth
Participate in the activities with the youth
Include other adults in your interactions with a youth.
The goal is for each youth to meet as many prospective families as possible!
Complete the adult participation form at the end of the event.
Kidsave staff can answer any questions you might have!

20. Going to our event? Please remember NOT to……
Ask for or expect affection from the youth
Give gifts or money to the youth, or make promises to do so..
Ask staff about a youth’s history or circumstances while the child is present as this information is private, personal, and oftentimes very painful.
Ask the child to share their history or personal circumstances
Ask a child if he or she wants to be adopted or hosted
Leave an event with a youth for any reason
Promise future contact or intentions.
Provide the youth with your phone, address, or
Discuss or arrange future visits with youth.
* Visits outside an event can only be arranged after you are matched with a youth and an introductory meeting has occurred

21. Not ready to host? Join a committee Fundraising Event planning
Outreach
Be a volunteer driver
Reach out to your networks to get involved
Volunteer at an event
Volunteer in our office
Advocate

22. How Will YOU Get Involved
How Will YOU Get Involved? Contact: Jessica Prescott, Assistant Manager for Weekend Miracles /