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Introductory Activity

Jeffery W. BelfordSilberman School of Social Work at Hunter College

Foster Care and Homelessness

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What We Know About Transition Age Youth…

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The Numbers

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

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EducationApproximately 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).

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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).

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Legislative Background

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

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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

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Emerging as an adult…

What does the research say about the process of becoming an adult?

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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)

Traditional Youth Services

• Professional providers • Community members

• Focus on problems • Focus on positive outcomes

• Reactive • Pro-active

• Targeted youth • All youth

• Youth as recipients • Youth as active participants

• Programs • Community response (systemic change)

Positive Youth Development

Competence

The ability and motivation for

• Civic and social engagement• Cultural engagement• Physical health• Emotional health• Intellectual achievement• Employability

Confidence

Having a sense of mastery and future Having a sense of self-efficacy

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

Connection

Membership and belonging Having a sense of safety and structure

Contribution

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

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

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

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

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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

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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…

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Four Subpopulations

Accelerated Adults Struggling Parents Emerging Adults Troubled and Troubling

How do we serve them?

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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

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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

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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

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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