connecting the dots initiative
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Connecting the DotsFrom Foster Care to Employment and Independent Living
Alice WorrellConnecting the Dots Conference
August 3, 2012
Program HistoryOriginated Summer, 2011
OH Youth Advisory Board (OYAB) conference with Director Michael B. Colbert
Youth Voice: local waiting lists (WIA), youth ill-prepared for independent living; inconsistent services across county lines
Call to Action: “Connecting the Dots”
Foster Care/Office of Families and Children and Workforce Investment Act (WIA)/Office of Workforce Development to collaborate to address concerns as raised by OYAB
Every year in Ohio, 1,000 – 1,300 youth age out of our foster care system
Significance of Connecting the Dots in Ohio
National StatisticsEmployment Less than 50% are employed full time
Education 25% do not have HS degree or GED by age 23
Poverty 33% in households below poverty level (3X national rate)
Housing 22% experience homelessness
Mental Health 54% report at least one mental health problem 25% experience post-traumatic stress syndrome
Criminal Activity 33% of males incarcerated by age 19
Health Care less than 33% have healthcare coverage
Teen Pregnancy 48% of females are pregnant by19
Old View
Foster Youth and Young
Adults
US Health and Human Services Chafee Funds
88 PCSA IL Programs
US Dept of Labor WIA Youth
Program 20 Ohio WIBs
Services and Programs Available…
…but Disconnected
Connecting the Dots
The Vision
To dramatically improve the education and employment outcomes of youth emancipating from foster care, better supporting their transition to adulthood.
Four-tiered Initiative1.State-wide
training to build common
knowledge
(COMPLETED)
Cross-program training for independent living and One-Stop WIA youth program staff
Training for One-Stop youth staff, service providers, and foster youth, parents and case managers on web-based tools for career exploration, educational requirements, jobs available, and job search
2. Pilot programs at local level
Cuyahoga; Hamilton; Lake; Summit; and a collaboration of Montgomery, Greene, Preble, & Clinton counties
3. Website for youth Access to transition information (OYAB Ask)
4. Statewide best practice model
Phased in approach
Pilots: What were we looking for?Signs of program coordination/integration:• Integrated system design• Blended funding streams• Synchronized policies• Strategic case practice• Meaningful youth involvement (voice)• Collaborative planning
Pilots Will Provide Effective Program Elements
Youth Voice and Engagement (Youth in Transition)
Vocational Mentoring Educational Supports (e.g., targeted tutoring)
Work Experience (before graduation)
Coordinated Delivery of WIA Youth Coordinators and PCSA IL Coordinators
Older Youth Additional Partners Supporters
Age: 14 – 21(17 – 19 for DOL grant)
Local Agencies(e.g., Big Brothers Big Sisters,
WIA youth service providers)
Adult Supporters(e.g., foster parents and
young adults)
All Demographics(meet readiness criteria)
Corporations and Local Companies
(work experience and opportunities)
University Partners (for expertise, resources &
evaluation purposes)
Across Ohio(pilots sites; in various
placement types)
School Districts Policy makers(e.g., County
Commissioners)
CTD - Contributors
New View
No more silos! Integrated system design Blended funding streams Synchronized policies Strategic case practice Meaningful consumer involvement (youth and
young adults) Collaborative planning
Changes Already Evident
New workforce & employment component to IL services curriculum
New job opportunities specifically for youth to promote self-sufficiency
Foster youth/parent on Youth Council Priority for foster youth in WIA summer youth program Common service providers Passion for serving foster youth evident in WIA youth
program service providers
Youth who exit Ohio’s foster care system: receive adequate services to meet their
needs are educated and employed are connected to available resources demonstrate the ability to weather
living/life’s terrains beyond emancipation
Change Champions have successfully linked CTD to other commitments
(e.g., clothing and shelter, mental health)
Program Outcomes
Connecting the Dots…Moving Forward
What do you think would help improve educational and employment outcomes for our youth?
Contact Information
Alice WorrellProject Manager ODJFS Office of Workforce DevelopmentP.O. Box 1618Columbus, OH [email protected]
QUESTIONS?