the good news the number of california children in foster care has been reduced by 46% since 1998
TRANSCRIPT
The Good News
The number of CaliforniaChildren in foster care has been reduced by 46% since 1998
The Bad News
The number of youth who turn 18 or age out alone has remained constantat about 4,000 every year.
Within 2 years 50% will be homeless,victimized,
incarcerated,or dead
• Youth losing credit, because they move too often
• Protecting youth from sexual exploitation• Transition age youth
• Having a place to live • Having support to succeed in school• Getting physical and mental heath care• Being able to form lasting relationships
If you care about
Then you care about this guide
Federal Child Welfare Finance
Reform
Guide to Funding Specialized Youth Permanency
Services
Relies on changes at the federal level
Points out currently available county-controlled
funding resources
Requires decisions made at the federal level
Allows decisions to be made at the county level
1. We know how to achieve permanent families for older children and teens in foster care
2. Keeping these children and teens in foster care is very expensive
3. $ saved by achieving permanence far outweigh the cost of effective permanency services
The guide says three things:
1. We know how to achieve permanent families for older children and teens in foster care
Enter Youth Permanency Movement
Challenged prevailing beliefs
A family is no where
A family is now here
Changed Organizational Culture
Created Effective Specialized Youth Permanency Services
Older Youth
Adoption Contracts
2007-2010
Destination Family Youth Permanency Project 2003-2008Federal Grant
Family Finding & Engagement
Relationship
Building and
Mending
Addressing Grief,
Loss & Trauma
Individualized Recruitment Plans
Youth Centered Practice
Building Trust with the Youth
Pre & Post Permanency
Support
Preparation of the Permanent Family
Building Sense of Empowerment
Traumatic Experience Integraton
Creating Safety,
Self-regulation, and
Self-reflection
Building Network of
Caring Adults
Older Youth
Adoption Contracts:
944 youth received
services
80%
achieved
permanency
Destination Family Federal Grant 157 youth received services
86% achieved permanency
2. Keeping these children and teens in foster care is very expensive
DUH!
3. $ saved by achieving permanence far outweigh the cost of effective permanency services
•Adoption from:Group Home Level 14 $103,540Foster Family Agency Home $13,710
•Guardianship from:Group Home Level 12 $92,477Foster Family Agency Home $11,442
Annual County Level Savings Achieved When a Youth Moves
into a Permanent FamilySavings accrue for EVERY year the youth would have remained in care
Average 1-time per/youth cost of specialized permanency services = $12,000- $15,000
Our Youth Need
