1. CASA After 18 1

2. 2 Introductory Activity

3. 3 What We Know About Transition Age Youth…

4. 4 An estimated 29,500 youth exited foster care in FY 2008 (U.S. DHHS, 2009).

5. 5 Education Approximately 1.2 million youth drop out of high school each year, more than half of whom are youth of color (Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, 2008).

6. 6 Homelessness… On any single day, 53,000- 103,000 of the homeless population are between 18 and 24. (Burt, Aaron, & Lee, 2001). One in five youth who age out of foster care will experience homelessness (Fernandes, 2008). Three in ten homeless adults have had experience in the foster care system (Gardner, 2008).

7. 7 Legislative Background The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999, helps foster youth who are aging out of care to achieve self-sufficiency.

8. 8 Legislative Background The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 is the most recent piece of major federal legislation addressing the foster care system. This bill extended various benefits and funding for foster children between the age of 18 and 21 (contingent upon appropriation by legislature) and for Indian children in tribal areas. California passed AB12, the California Fostering Connections to Success Act, in October of 2010; it goes into effect on January 1, 2012

9. 9 Emerging as an adult… What does the research say about the process of becoming an adult?

10. 10 Some struggle; Some Prosper Need right balance of the adolescent pushing for independence and the society giving the correct amount of support Not pushing too hard or holding back too much As W&IC section 11403(i) notes – in implementing AB12, the state is obligated to develop regulations that allow young adults to exercise incremental responsibility as they grow and develop

11. 11 Youth of Color During emerging adulthood, ethnic minorities have to deal with the larger culture and figure out their own identity in the context of the larger society. For children of immigrants, that can be especially challenging.

12. 12 Foster Youth Transitioning Extended Foster Care allows foster youth age 20, who meet the federal participation criteria, to receive foster care funding  Beginning 1/1/14, up to age 21  Juvenile court jurisdiction may continue until age 21 regardless of eligibility for Extended Foster Care. See Welf. & Inst. Code 303(a) and Cal Rule of Court 5.555(a)(2).

13. 13 Preparing for Extended Foster Care The conversation about EFC and its benefits should begin with all foster youth when developing the initial TILP and at all TILP updates. Youth are more likely to take advantage of the program if they hear about it a lot.

14. 14 Eligible Youth include… Youth who meet at least one of the following criteria. Being in high school or an equivalent program Being enrolled in college, community college or vocational education program Being employed at least 80 hours a month Participating in a program or activity designed to remove barriers to employment Being unable to do one of the above requirements because of a medical condition Also, youth who are on probation and under an order for foster care placement

15. 15 Eligible Youth (continued) Youth who are eligible for state only foster care Youth who are in a non- related legal guardianship through dependency court Youth who reside out of county Youth who reside out of state

16. 16 Ineligible Youth include… Youth who had their dependency case dismissed in 2011 Youth in a non-related legal guardianship through the probate court Married youth Youth in the military Incarcerated youth are ineligible while they are incarcerated, but are eligible upon release (as long as they meet other eligibility requirements)

17. Traditional Youth Services Professional providersCommunity members Focus on problemsFocus on positive outcomes Reactive Pro-active Targeted youthAll youth Youth as recipientsYouth as active participants ProgramsCommunity response (systemic change) Positive Youth Development

18. Competence The ability and motivation for Civic and social engagement Cultural engagement Physical health Emotional health Intellectual achievement Employability

19. Confidence Having a sense of mastery and future Having a sense of self-efficacy

20. Character Having a sense of responsibility and autonomy Having a sense of spirituality and self-awareness Having an awareness of one’s own personality or individuality

21. Connection Membership and belonging Having a sense of safety and structure

22. Contribution Being involved as active participant and decision maker in services, organizations and community

23. Adultism Systematic invalidation Denial of voice or respectful attention Physical abuse Lack of information or misinformation Denial of power Lack of rights Young people are systematically mistreated and disrespected by society, with adults as the agents of oppression. The basis of young people’s oppression is disrespect. Manifestations of the oppression include: Source: Youth on Board, Get the Word out! 2001

24. Adult Allies When we act as allies, we advocate and support young people. We assist young people in their lives, support them when they struggle, and let them know how important they are and that change is possible. Source: Youth on Board, Get the Word out! 2001

25. What is Strengths Based Approach?  People are active participants in the helping process (empowerment)  All people have strengths, often untapped or unrecognized  Strengths foster motivation for growth  Strengths are internal and environmental Emerging from the field of social work, it is a set of ideas, assumptions, and techniques: Source: Saleebey, Dennis. 1992. The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice. Longman: White Plains, NY

26. 26 Research Supporting Extending Foster Care Midwest Study Surveyed 732 youth who exited foster care from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin at ages 18, 19, 21, and 24

27. 27 Outcomes @ age 24 2.5 times more likely to get BA 61% pay differential for BA (nearly doubles lifetime earnings) Sub-baccalaureate pay boost too (12-17% for associate degree equaling $400k work-life earnings; $300k for at least some college) 38% reduction in risk of becoming pregnant Better personal and family health, etc…

28. 28 Four Subpopulations Accelerated Adults Struggling Parents Emerging Adults Troubled and Troubling How do we serve them?

29. 29 Accelerated Adults 36.3% of sample 63% are female Most likely to live on their own Almost all have HS diploma and some college Most likely to have a college degree Most likely to be employed Less likely to have criminal conviction

30. 30 Struggling Parents 75% are female Most likely to be African American Least likely to finish HS Most likely to be married or cohabitating Low level of employment and most likely to be receiving government benefits

31. 31 Emerging Adults Slightly over half are male All are living with friends, relatives or other setting not their own Vast majority finished HS and have some college Least likely to have children Second highest rate of employment

32. 32 Troubled and Troubling Majority of this group is male Most likely to be incarcerated, institutionalized, homeless and/or have experienced high residential mobility Least likely to be employed Nearly half have children, all are non-resident Most likely to report criminal conviction since 18 and report mental health or substance abuse problems

33. 33 Activity What kind of support do these groups need?