1. Let’s Get Personal! Personal Perspective from a Former Foster Youth

2. Crystal L. Williams Founding Member, EmpowerMEnt Author Youth Advocate Public Speaker Business Owner

3. MY STORY  Memphis to Atlanta age 9  Shelter to shelter  Never attended the same school  Entered foster care at 10  Disconnected from:  Extended family Support  Siblings  Mother  School  Community

4. MY STORY: RECONNECTED  Supportive home  Encouraged to participate in activities (School, church)  Excelled in school (Graduated from HS, college)  Located areas on interest  Reconnecting with biological family: STILL IN PROGRESS!  Maintaining connection with Adoptive family

5. ADULT ADOPTION: ITS POSSIBLE!

6. Disconnected Youth The foster care/adoption experience can make it difficult for young people to trust and to connect after a traumatic event occurs. Youth may experience: Physical aggression to adults Sexual acting out Eating disorders Conduct disorders Hyperactivity Withdrawal

7. FAMILY PEERSCOMMUNITY SCHOOL SOCIAL CAPITAL “Social capital is comprised of social networks and social relationships, a bonding between similar and a bridging between diverse people.* *Adler & Kwon, 2002; Dekker & Uslaner, 2001; Uslaner, 2001

12. DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SUPPORTS AND SERVICES  Graduated Independence  Mentors, Communications to build social capital  Strategic investment in a young person’s future  Young people as drivers  Challenging a young person to reach goals (WTLP)

13. GRADUATED INDEPENDENCE  Providing youth the tools and resources to live inter-dependently  Connected by 21 (CB21) must look different  How to connect to community (bridging and bonding)  PROGRAMS ARE NOT ENOUGH!

14. RECOMMENDATIONS  Youth are empowered to complete college/trade/employment  New measures are put into place to ensure that ALL YOUTH have access to developmentally appropriate housing that is safe, sustainable, and stable  Youth obtain Employment and Job seeking skills that are dynamic and transferable  Educational goals are assessed on a case by case basis  Emphasis on social/emotional healing to promote network building and community connections  Transitional resources for all youth regardless if they choose to go to school or enter the workforce directly

15. QUESTIONS?

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