2013 resources for transitional youth

Resources for youth

transitioning from foster care

to living on their own

Partners for Forever Families

Permanency Symposium, 2013

Life’s Transitions Do Not Happen Overnight

Recommended Reading: Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s 2012 Foster Youth Internship Report

Transition to Young Adulthood forfor a young person with loving,

involved parents

Transition to Young Adulthoodfor a foster care youth who “ages out”

Lack of Family Privilege

When the only legal “parent” you have is the state and federal

government

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care”

Postcard Project

When the only “parent” you have doesn’t always

recognize their role

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care”

Postcard Project

Federal Interventionsto Improve Youth Outcomes

What’s an Exit Plan?

*a.k.a.

• “Discharge/Case-Closing Plan”• “Self-Sufficiency/Emancipation Plan”• “Transition Plan”• “Personalized Transition Plan”

Federal Legislation

Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008

Title II, Section 202

• Mandates that 90 days prior to emancipation from foster care, “a caseworker on the staff of the State agency, and, as appropriate, other representatives of the child provide the child with assistance and support in developing a transition plan that is personalized at the direction of the child, includes specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, and work force supports and employment services, and is as detailed as the child may elect.”

Ohio Administrative Code

• Ninety days prior to the youth’s emancipation from the agency’s custody, the PCSA or PCPA shall work with the youth to develop a final transition plan.

• The plan shall be youth-driven and as detailed as the youth chooses.

I never knew I had an Exit Plan

Blindfold Activity

Involving Youth Voice in Plans for Their Future

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care”

Postcard Project

Proactive response of theOhio Supreme Court

Essential Elements:

“Name That Logo”

What are FUP Vouchers?

Housing Choice Vouchers

• “Youth 18-21 years old who left foster care after the age of 16 and lack adequate housing.” (Congress, Oct. 2000)

• Requires local partnership between public housing authorities and public child welfare agencies.

Foster care youth voicein expanding Ohio Medicaid

until age 21

• Eligibility: Under 21, in foster care on 18th birthday, received IV-E funding/services prior to age 18

• Application process: Caseworker submits a JFS 01958 form and Medicaid application OR youth reached out to Medicaid, identifying themselves as a former foster youth.

• Maintaining coverage: Emancipated youth must report any changes in address, telephone number and email address to Ohio Medicaid

Connecting and reconnecting foster care youth/alumniwith Medicaid benefits

• FCASPL 183 (Ind. Living Transition Plans)

• Family, Children, and Adult Services Procedure Letter No. 183, sent out by Director Lumpkin on October 5, 2009

• The plan must include a completed Medicaid application

Ohio Policy and Procedure

Vital Documents:

Prior to the youth’s emancipation from the agency’s custody, the PCSA or PCPA shall coordinate with the following agencies, to obtain necessary documents:

• an original birth certificate• an original social security card• a current state identification card

*OAC 5101:2-42-19: “Requirements for the provision of independent living services to youth in custody”

Life As A Juggling Act

Federal Legislation

John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence ActSigned into law, December 1999

• Provides for flexible funding for distribution to States through grants for program services for youth

• Provides opportunities for States to serve youth who are likely to remain in foster care and those who have aged out of foster care up to 21 years of age.

• Provides States the option of allowing these young people to remain eligible for Medicaid up to age 21.

• Enables older youth (18-21) to receive housing assistance if needed.

Educational Training Vouchers:

Definition of an “Independent Student”

Three categories:• Student who is an orphan, in foster care, or a

ward of the court, at any time when the student was 13 years of age or older

• Student who is an emancipated minor or is in legal guardianship as determined by the court in their state of legal residence

• Applicant is verified as an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of homelessness and self-supporting

2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act

John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

Chafee funding can be used to pay for:

•Housing (up to 30% of allocation)•College Textbooks•Transportation•Credit Recovery•All fees associated with GED, SAT, ACT•All fees associated with Post Secondary Education Enrollment•And more….

Benefits for eligible foster care youth

• The ETV program is a federally-funded, state-administered program that provides grants up to $5,000 per year to assist former foster youth pursing higher education.

• This includes college and vocational training institutions.

• Funds can be used for: Tuition, books, textbooks, and living expenses.

• To learn more, visit: ohio@statevoucher.org

Eligibility for ETV Funds

A current, or former foster youth who: – Was in foster care on their 18th birthday and aged

out at that time; OR– Was adopted from foster care with the adoption

finalized AFTER his/her 16th birthday; OR– Will have his/her foster care case closed between

the ages of 18 and 21.

• At least 18, but younger than 21, to apply for the first time.

• Already accepted or enrolled in a degree, certificate or other accredited program at a college, university, technical, vocational school.

• To remain eligible for ETV funding, students must show progress toward a degree or certificate.

• Students remain eligible for ETV up to age 23 if they received ETV funding prior to their 21st birthday.

Mission Statement:Ohio Reach improves post-secondary outcomes

for foster care youth and alumni through advocacy, leadership, networking and empowerment.

Foster Care Alumni of America’s“Culture of Foster Care”

Postcard Project

Improving Outcomes;Changing the Odds

Empowering Youth to Plan for the Future

Federal Legislation

Workforce Investment ActSigned into law in 1998

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) services support 9 of the 14 general categories that states are required by NYTD to support.

Eligibility for Youth, Between Ages 14-21

• Deficient in basic literacy skills

• Homeless

• School Dropout

• Ex-Offender

• Runaway

• Foster Child

• Pregnant or Parenting

1998 Workforce Investment Act

WIA funds can be used for:

• One-Stop Centers

• Youth Service Programs (low-income, high risk)

• Residential Training Programs like Job Corps

Workforce Connections:

Connecting the Dots Conference

Suits

For

Success

ResumeClinic

The Purple ProjectFounded by LaTasha Watts

Helping young people develop a vision for the future

B-E-G-I-N

Consumer Voice in the Process:

1.) Allen2.) Athens3.) Cuyahoga4.) Fairfield5.) Franklin6.) Greene7.) Hamilton8.) Lorain9.) Lucas-NW10.) Mahoning11.) Montgomery12.) Stark13.) Summit

TAGycTeen Advisory Group

youth council

Interdependence

Recommended Reading: Transitioning Youth: Blending the Worlds of Permanency and Independent Living. The Casey Center for Effective Child Welfare Practice.

“The blending of the worlds of permanency and independent living

Is imperative if our youth are ever to be adequately prepared for life,

love and work in adulthood.”

Emerging from foster care to young adulthood:

1. Level of Preparation

2. Availability of a Safety Net

Who were the top three

people in your Safety

Net and why?

Copyright Lisa Dickson

Permanency Pact:

What exactly can I rely on you for?

It is critical to the youth’s success to identify those adults who will continue to provide various supports through and beyond the transition from care.

Clarifying exactly what the various supports will include can help to avoid gaps in the youth’s safety net and misunderstandings between the youth and the supportive adult(s).

• A home for the holidays• A place to do laundry• An emergency place to stay• Care packages while in college• Storage• Someone to discuss problems with• A phone or computer to use

Life Dice