1. Youth Empowerment Services Transition Network Marilyn Stewart, MSW Casey Family Programs mstewart@casey.org Bob Stewart, MSW, MPH ACCESS, Inc. bstewart@access2jobs.org

2. 1999: poor outcomes for foster youth in San Diego… High school completion rate: 49% High school completion rate: 49% Employment program completion: 50% Employment program completion: 50% Poor attendance and outcomes for Independent Living Skills Program Poor attendance and outcomes for Independent Living Skills Program Fragmented approaches to service delivery Fragmented approaches to service delivery

3. What the ideal system would look like… It would address foster youth’s most essential needs: It would address foster youth’s most essential needs: –Housing –Health, both mental and physical –Life skills –Education –Employment and career –Connection to community –Sense of identity But would begin with the most pressing need: employment and career. But would begin with the most pressing need: employment and career.

4. Available at: www.casey.org

5. www.ccyf.org

6. What the ideal system would look like… Would require many organizations working together as a network Would require many organizations working together as a network Would include buy-in of major institutions: Would include buy-in of major institutions: –Courts, child welfare system, education, workforce development, education, employers Would include the buy-in of youth Would include the buy-in of youth Would begin at least as early as age 13 Would begin at least as early as age 13 Would emphasize personal relationships with adults Would emphasize personal relationships with adults

8. Youth Empowerment Services Funding FY 2000 $266,500 FY 2000 $266,500 FY 2005 $2,595,000 FY 2005 $2,595,000 –Includes: Workforce Investment Act $1,611,491 Workforce Investment Act $1,611,491 County of San Diego 283,834 County of San Diego 283,834 Jim Casey Youth Opportunities 440,779 Jim Casey Youth Opportunities 440,779 Casey Family Programs 98,896 Casey Family Programs 98,896 Foundations, Private Donors 160,000 Foundations, Private Donors 160,000

9. Strategies for success… Organization: Organization: –Single identity that all partners use –Clear, specific roles for each partner, formalized in MOU –Shared staff, especially in leadership

11. Strategies for success… Core funding from WIA Core funding from WIA –Developed expertise in WIA performance measures Full-time development person Full-time development person Involvement of employers Involvement of employers Leadership and advocacy in the community Leadership and advocacy in the community