1. Foster Youth Pathways to Employment
October 2010

2. Builds community connections that prepare youth for success
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
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

3. All Youth - One System Academic Achievement
All youth are educated and ready to learn
Career Development
All youth are experienced and ready for careers
Community Services and Supports
All youth are connected to adults, peers, services and supports
Youth Leadership
All youth are confident and ready for life
Comprehensive Youth Development Approach
A connected operational infrastructure supports youth success
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

4. New Ways and Foster Youth Transition
Youth Transition Action Teams ( )
Breakthrough Series on ILP Transformation (2008 – 2010)
Foster Youth Summer Jobs Plus (2009)
Foster Youth Career Development Access and Success (2009)
Foster Youth and Summer Jobs ( )
Foster Youth Career Development and Employment Task Force (2007 – Present)
Foster Youth Pathways to Employment (2010)
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

5. The Need to be Connected and Supported
10/29/2009
Why Are We Here
The Need to be Connected and Supported
Foster youth need to begin exploring and preparing for careers and employment early on, and throughout the transition to adulthood.
Opportunities exist to help prepare young people for careers and the world of work.
In the current economic climate, a jobs-only focus is not a fruitful approach,
How do we ensure that foster youth are connected to every possible opportunity to be better prepared for a successful future?
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

6. Youth in the Current Economy
Employment rates for youth (ages 16-24), both for those who are in school, and those who are not, declined in 2009, continuing a trend that began in 2000.
Youth employment rates are the lowest since WWII, since data has been gathered on the population.
Jobs in the secondary labor market, traditionally an entry point for youth and young adults are being filled by adults and retirees.
Youth overall are suffering disproportionally.
While the economy appears to be recovering, hiring is lagging far behind.
Research suggests that youth aging out of foster care often face difficult transitions to adulthood. They are:
- More likely to drop out of school, less likely to complete a diploma or GED
- They experience more Housing instability / homelessness
- They are more likely to suffer from depression and other mental health issues (much of this likely due to their traumatic pasts)
- They are more likely to become young parents or have out of wedlock births
- They are more likely to rely on public assistance
- They are more likely to come into contact with the criminal justice system and to be incarcerated
Finally, and for our purposes, most importantly – they are likely to experience
poor employment outcomes
Lets look at some of this data
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

7. Foster Youth and Employment
Results from early of youth who age out of foster care show poor employment outcomes between ages 18 and 21.
High unemployment
Unstable employment
Low wages
Recently, the Urban Institute, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and UC Berkeley examined employment outcomes for youth aging out of foster care through age 24.
Data from 3 states, including California
Youth who aged out of care experienced poorer outcomes when compared to both low income and other youth nationally
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

8. FY Employment Outcomes
Poor employment outcomes persisted at age 24 for former foster youth when compared to their low income counterparts and other youth nationally.
Less likely to be employed (56% less likely than low income youth )
Less likely to be employed regularly (41% less likely than low income youth)
Earn less on average (11% less than low income youth, $690/month)
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

9. Progress in California and the Nation
CA NGA Policy Academy
CA Foster Youth Employment Summit
CA BSC on ILP Transformation
Return of Summer Jobs
Multiple Pilots, Demonstrations, and Programs
Federal Movement
Senate Caucus on Foster Youth
New Legislation: additional steps to assist children in foster care in making the transition to independent living
Fostering Connections/AB12
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

10. The Challenge Employment seems to be last on the list
Career Development and Employment recommendations not implemented
Spotty results in Workforce and CWS Partnerships (including summer jobs)
Career Development and Employment buried in legislative solutions and among policy makers
Tough Economy freezes youth out of the labor market
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

11. What do we Know? All youth need a range of experiences
All youth need employment experience prior to aging out
Data shows that early employment is the greatest success indicator for gainful employment at 24
New strategies need to be developed for older youth in care
More of the same just won’t work
It’s more than just a job!
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

12. A Range of Approaches
Seasonal Jobs, Transitional Jobs, Summer Jobs and
Part-time Work
Workforce Training Programs
Occupational Training
Community College
Trade Schools
Volunteering
Entrepreneurial Approaches
Dedicated/Preferential Hire Opportunities
Sequenced, Career Development Strategies
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

13. What is Career Development?
10/29/2009
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.
Programs and services provide a range of opportunities for youth to develop their interests and explore options for their future.
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

14. Career Development Continuum
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

15. What is Career Development?
10/29/2009
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
Career development is most effective when youth are provided a sequenced continuum of activities and experiences that address career and college awareness, exploration, and preparation.
Young people and those advocating on their behalf must seek out programs and services that provide a range of opportunities for students to develop their interests and explore options for their future.
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

16. 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
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

17. 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
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

18. Connecting to Employment
What can you do to help:
Encourage early career planning (7th or 8th 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 career development plan
Connect with existing programs that will assist with career and/or employment preparation
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

19. Building Partnerships to Better Serve Foster Youth
10/29/2009
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
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

20. Building A Partnership Between Workforce and Child Welfare
10/29/2009
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
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

21. 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
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

22. Opportunities to Collaborate with Workforce
10/29/2009
Opportunities to Collaborate with Workforce
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?
Workforce providers can be recipient of Chafee Vouchers. Chafee resources can be used for education AND training-could be used to support workforce training. How are vouchers being used in your County? (Foster youth are eligible for The Chafee ETV Program makes financial resources available to meet the postsecondary education and training needs of youth aging out of foster care-$5000 available)
Is there a registration process? Identify the process for youth.
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

23. Connecting Youth to Next Steps
10/29/2009
Connecting Youth to Next Steps
Find out who and what foster youth are connected to:
Caregivers
Birth Family
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
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

24. Supporting Youth in Opportunities
Help youth to identify developmentally appropriate experiences
Coach and model positive workplace behaviors in the home
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
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

25. Mapping Existing Employment Opportunities and Challenges
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
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

26. Foster Youth Pathways to Employment Statewide Forum, October 2010
130 Practitioners, Policy Makers, Youth, and Caregivers
Workforce, Child Welfare, Education, and Others
Focus on Practice Innovations and Policy Implications
Workforce Approaches and Partnerships
Permanency, Career Development, and Employment
Strategies for Serving Older Youth in Care
Supporting Success in Post Secondary Education
Career Development Continuum and Younger Youth
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

27. Foster Youth Pathways to Employment Sample Practice Innovations
Youth Transition Centers
Riverside County Youth Opportunity Centers
Napa and Sonoma County, VOICES
Kern County, Dream Center Coffee House
Mendocino County, Arbor on Main
Workforce and ILP Partnerships
San Diego, Co-Issued RFPs and Programming
Humboldt County, ILP Services and Supports at the One Stop
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

28. Foster Youth Pathways to Employment Sample Practice Innovations
Blended and Leveraged Efforts
San Francisco, TAY and Emancipated Youth
Priority Hire Programs
Santa Clara County
Tulare County
First Source Hire Programs
Los Angeles and Riverside
Sonoma County (planning)
Others?
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

29. Foster Youth Pathways to Employment Next Steps
Process and Disseminate Information
Report to Key Elected Officials
Share results with CDSS and Other Appropriate State Agencies
Share results with Counties and Workforce Areas
Work with key legislators on identified legislative needs
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

30. Ten Things you can do Tomorrow
Implement a Career Development plan with all youth
CA Career Resources Network and the Career Zone
2. Connect with your local Youth Council, Workforce Investment Board, and WIA service providers
Encourage priority service to Foster Youth
Learn about existing programs and opportunities
Develop strategies to access the adult system
Help advocate for summer jobs in 2011
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

31. Ten Things you can do Tomorrow
3. Make sure youth have the required right to work and eligibility documentation
Right to Work documentation includes:
A passport or
A birth certificate or driver’s license AND a social security card
Non-citizens must also provide right to work (green card)
Specific Program eligibility documentation
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

32. Ten Things you can do Tomorrow
4. Map and connect with career development programs and services in your area
Community College Programs
Specialized Programs
(Youthbuild, Job Corps, Conservation Corps and others)
Occupational and Trade Schools
Apprenticeship Programs
Targeted Programs
(Juvenile Justice, Voc Rehab, YWD, others)
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

33. Ten Things you can do Tomorrow
5. Prepare youth for employment experiences
Spend time developing and supporting work maturity skills
Develop a plan for dealing with barriers such as transportation
Help youth identify the types of opportunities they are interested in
Encourage young people to think about how a transitional work experience or internship can contribute to their career and educational goals
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

34. Ten Things you can do Tomorrow
Engage caregivers, social worker and others in supporting a career development approach
Begin the conversation around priority or preferential hiring with local elected officials and others
Explore opportunities for dedicated seasonal hires
Equip youth with job search skills (workshops and programs)
Provide a workplace skills focus in the home.
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

35. Ensure that Foster Youth are Connected and Supported in Your Community
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?
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

36. For More Information
New Ways to Work Steve Trippe
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work

37. President Jimmy Carter
10/29/2009
“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
2010 FYP2E, New Ways to Work