Sponsored by

School SiteProfessional Development

Workshop

Prepared by

Educational Needs of

Dependent Youth

Dependency Dependency The Puzzle Comes TogetherThe Puzzle Comes Together

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Increased awareness of the foster care system

Increased understanding of your role relative to youth in foster care

Increased awareness of the foster care system

Increased understanding of your role relative to youth in foster care

DependencyDependency

A generic term for children living in “out-of-home” care

Youth living in foster homes, group homes, relative care, institutions, or with their birth families under supervision

Overseen by the government; may be contracted out

Youth usually have history of child abuse, neglect or abandonment

Undocumented youth may also be in the dependency system

A generic term for children living in “out-of-home” care

Youth living in foster homes, group homes, relative care, institutions, or with their birth families under supervision

Overseen by the government; may be contracted out

Youth usually have history of child abuse, neglect or abandonment

Undocumented youth may also be in the dependency system

Basic Facts about Foster Care

Basic Facts about Foster Care

Number of children• 520,000 in the United States• 30,000 in Florida• 5000 in Miami-Dade County

Average length of stay • 3 years for all youth in foster care • 6 years for youth who turn 18 while in care

- Casey Family Programs

Number of children• 520,000 in the United States• 30,000 in Florida• 5000 in Miami-Dade County

Average length of stay • 3 years for all youth in foster care • 6 years for youth who turn 18 while in care

- Casey Family Programs

Abuse Report -> Child Taken into Custody

Shelter Hearing

Sounding

Adjudicatory Hearing

Case PlanningConference

Child ReturnedTo Parent

Alternative Long-Term Placement

Termination ofParental Rights

Disposition

Judicial Review

Endless Dreams

              

                                                

      

Primary ConcernPrimary Concern

- United - United

States Department of States Department of

Health and Human Health and Human ServicesServices

The educational needs of the nearly half million youth in foster care have largely gone unrecognized

Educational ChallengesEducational Challenges

Enrollment in school

Identification of youth

Assessment of educational needs

Delivery of services

Monitoring of academic progress

Collaboration among entities

Enrollment in school

Identification of youth

Assessment of educational needs

Delivery of services

Monitoring of academic progress

Collaboration among entities

Expressed Youth NeedsExpressed Youth NeedsExpressed Youth NeedsExpressed Youth Needs

Uncertainty of living arrangements

Concerns about biological families

Peer Relationships

Adult Support

Academic assistance

Attendance issues

Uncertainty of living arrangements

Concerns about biological families

Peer Relationships

Adult Support

Academic assistance

Attendance issues

Negative Outcomes Negative Outcomes

50-60% do not graduate from high school.

25% of prison population were in foster youth.

25% of youth who “age out” of foster care are homeless within 12-18 months.

34% end up on welfare.

20% of females give birth shortly after leaving care.

50-60% do not graduate from high school.

25% of prison population were in foster youth.

25% of youth who “age out” of foster care are homeless within 12-18 months.

34% end up on welfare.

20% of females give birth shortly after leaving care.

- Connect for Kids

Real Lives

“How would I have gotten help with school if my counselor hadn’t had seen my potential and helped me with each step of getting into college? “

-Melissa, 19, University of Florida, Foster youth

“If someone wouldn’t have cared so much about me going to school, I never would have had the motivation to start.”

-Jeffrey, 20, Miami Dade College, Foster Youth

Bringing the Pieces TogetherBringing the Pieces Together

Circle of support Positive peer relationships Caring adult supports who respect youth’s privacy

Permanency Stable home Stable school setting

Youth involvement Clubs Sports

Positive youth development Responsibilities Leadership building activities Self-advocacy

Circle of support Positive peer relationships Caring adult supports who respect youth’s privacy

Permanency Stable home Stable school setting

Youth involvement Clubs Sports

Positive youth development Responsibilities Leadership building activities Self-advocacy

- National Foster Youth Advisory Council

Building Rapport

Compassion

Trust

FRAGILE

Availability

Where is the Time?

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Who Can Help?Who Can Help?

Juvenile Court Contacts (i.e. You)

Teachers Guardians or Foster Parents Group home staff Relatives Case managers Coaches Mentors Other school staff

Juvenile Court Contacts (i.e. You)

Teachers Guardians or Foster Parents Group home staff Relatives Case managers Coaches Mentors Other school staff

Local ResourcesLocal Resources

JJSO District Court Liaisons Juvenile Court Contacts Guardians Ad Litem (< 18 years old) Take Stock in Children Transitioning Youth Project (> 18 years old)

Mentoring ProgramsBig Brothers / Big Sisters (< 16 years old)

Educate Tomorrow (> 15 years old)

JJSO District Court Liaisons Juvenile Court Contacts Guardians Ad Litem (< 18 years old) Take Stock in Children Transitioning Youth Project (> 18 years old)

Mentoring ProgramsBig Brothers / Big Sisters (< 16 years old)

Educate Tomorrow (> 15 years old)

Why Are You Vital?Why Are You Vital?

The Story of Melissa Fan FanThe Story of Melissa Fan Fan

Educational Opportunities for Dependent Youth

Educational Opportunities for Dependent Youth

Federal and National educational funding Grants

Pell Scholarships

Orphan FoundationFlorida Independent College Fund

Federal and National educational funding Grants

Pell Scholarships

Orphan FoundationFlorida Independent College Fund

State: Road To Independence Program Tuition Waivers Monthly Stipend Transitional Independent Living Funds

State: Road To Independence Program Tuition Waivers Monthly Stipend Transitional Independent Living Funds

Famous Foster ChildrenFamous Foster Children

Alonzo Mourning / NBA Cher / Singer & Actress Daunte Culpepper / NFL Eddie Murphy / Actor & Comedienne Ice-T / Singer & Actor Marilyn Monroe / Actress Tommy Davidson / Actor & Comedienne

Victoria Rowell / Dancer & Model

Alonzo Mourning / NBA Cher / Singer & Actress Daunte Culpepper / NFL Eddie Murphy / Actor & Comedienne Ice-T / Singer & Actor Marilyn Monroe / Actress Tommy Davidson / Actor & Comedienne

Victoria Rowell / Dancer & Model