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1 Description...... 5 1.3.1.1 Foster Care Youth Council Local Meeting Locations...... 8 1. Establish and maintain ten existing Local Councils as seen in Attachment A. Ensure there is at least one Local Council in each of the five Agency regions (also known as DHS Service Areas). Local Council changes require Agency approval...... 9 2. Maintain active membership of at least ten (10) youth per Local Council...... 9 3. Organize and implement all aspects of Local Council meeting arrangements (i.e., site, date/time, refreshments) as well as provide meeting notices and agenda...... 9 4. Local Council meetings will occur at least once per month in at least six locations starting July 2011, eight locations no later than September 2011 and ten locations no later than October 2011. Meetings at ten locations shall continue throughout the contract year...... 9 5. Develop an Agency approved procedure for establishing a new Local Council and maintaining programmatic consistency among Local Councils by December 1, 2011...... 10 6. Bilingual staff or community volunteers shall be provided to translate if requested by clients who are not able to speak fluent English...... 10 7. Determine a name for the Iowa Foster Care Youth Council. Participants shall be included in the decision making process and the final name shall be approved by the Agency...... 10 1.3.1.2 Youth Development...... 10 1. Provide on-going recruitment of Council participants ages 13 through 20 years old...... 10 2. Develop and implement a strategy for participant recruitment, which is inclusive and effectively draws a diversity of youth. The Council is intended to represent the population of children in Foster Care. Also, the implementation strategy shall address ways the Contractor will reach out to youth in the various placement types (family foster care, residential treatment centers, relative placements, institutions, aftercare, etc.). The Council will be youth driven and reflect the racial, cultural, ethnic diversity of youth in Foster Care and provide access to youth from all levels of Foster Care. The strategy shall include recruitment of foster care alumni...... 12 3. Provide for training as needed for Council participants to assist them in their role as a participant, including but not limited to training focusing on leadership skills, team building, effective communication (including advocacy skills and healthy disclosure), and accessing and promoting community resources...... 13 4. Provide opportunities for each participant to become involved within the Council according to their strengths and interests, through various means which may include writing, speaking engagements, committee work, Council leadership, creation of a website specific to youth in Foster Care, or some other method chosen by the participant(s)...... 14 5. Provide a means to honor or recognize participants for accomplishments or growth...... 14 6. Provide leadership opportunities for participants...... 15 7. Provide social/recreational opportunities for participants to encourage social support and to facilitate youth "buy in."...... 15 8. Link with existing effective youth Councils, advocacy groups, or child serving organizations. 15 9. Design, develop, and host a website for youth using a premium content management system that will allow youth to help manage the website's content. The website will have several components including, but not limited to, an events calendar, feedback, frequently asked questions, and news and press releases. The website shall be available to youth no later than January 1, 2012...... 16

2 1.3.1.3 Youth Engagement in Child Welfare...... 18 1. Identify youth for representation at Agency workgroups, training (i.e., staff, care providers, key stakeholders), or other venues in which youth input would benefit the development or implementation of child welfare policies and practices...... 18 2. Prepare and train all youth who participate in public meetings and presentations to prepare them and to minimize risk to the youth...... 20 3. Develop procedure to respond timely to requests for youth input into child welfare and related activities, initiatives, and workgroups...... 21 4. Develop and implement a mechanism to compensate youth for time and travel expenses. Compensation and travel payments shall not be limited to participants. Compensation must comply with Agency Travel Guidelines...... 21 1.3.1.4 Annual Foster Care Youth Conference...... 22 1. Provide an annual statewide conference for youth (ages 13 through 20 years old) in Foster Care and Alumni...... 22 2. Provide invitations, agenda, arrange presenters, and oversee the entire delivery of the youth conference...... 22 3. Partner with other organizations, agencies, youth groups, or advocacy groups as appropriate...23 1.3.1.5 Reporting of Services Delivered and Outcomes...... 23 1. Submit semi-annual reports to the Agency, within thirty days of the end of each reporting period, detailing staff activities, status of projects, community connections, recruitment efforts, participant, and Facilitator training provided and opportunities and barriers experienced. All Contractual Deliverables in the Scope of Work shall be reported, as well as performance measures...... 23 Ames:...... 23 Cedar Rapids:...... 28 Cherokee:...... 31 Council Bluffs:...... 32 Davenport:...... 36 Des Moines:...... 38 Dubuque:...... 43 Fort Dodge:...... 47 Sioux City:...... 49 Waterloo:...... 51 2. Conduct an agency approved youth survey to measure Council participants' satisfaction of overall Council operation annually and submit to the Agency within thirty days of the end of each annual contract year. The survey will measure participant satisfaction with the Council and effectiveness of Council projects and activities, including training received...... 54 3. Develop a procedure for participants to formally offer suggestions and/or register written complaints. Also, notice all participants of their right to do so...... 54 1.3.1.6 Quality Assurance and Program Improvement Activities...... 55 1. Develop and implement an internal continuous quality assurance process using data analysis, process and practice modification, supervision, and other methods...... 55 2. Develop and implement a Quality Improvement System which involves input from participants, staff, and collaborating partners...... 56

3 3. Provide access to monthly Clinical Supervision for Local Council Facilitators, volunteers, and leadership staff involved with the Youth Council...... 56 4. Conduct and maintain records absent of any Criminal History or Child Abuse for all paid staff and volunteers who work directly with Children and Youth...... 57 5. Maintain all programmatic and financial records related to the services funded under this Contract in a secure physical location...... 57 6. Will facilitate up to three formal focus groups outside of regular Council meetings in the first year to address a high priority issue(s). The Contractor and the Agency may collaborate to select a topic or topics, with the Agency providing final approval...... 57 7. Youth Program Quality Assessment shall be used for all chapters and results will inform quality improvement activities...... 58 8. Staff training in cultural competency shall be provided annually. The Contractor shall provide documentation that Council Facilitators and the Statewide Coordinator attend culturally competency training annually...... 59 9. Participate in an annual all Contractors' meeting...... 59 1.3.1.7 Evidence Based and Promising Practices...... 59 1. Utilize the federal Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process and the accompanying Child Welfare Outcomes and indicators...... 59 2. Align activities with the Agency's Model of Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Practice and embrace the Family Interaction strategy...... 60 3. Develop a program which reflects the racial, cultural, ethnic diversity of youth in Foster Care...... 60 4. Develop a program which provides access to youth from all levels of Foster Care...... 60 5. Promote significant adult relationships by involving foster parents, biological parents, and other adults as appropriate...... 61 Educational/Vocational Specialist Summary Report...... 61 6. Utilize youth development methods and approaches that nurture in participants a sense of competency, influence, belonging, and value...... 64 7. Engage youth in decision making at all levels, to instill confidence and allow youth to develop leadership experience...... 64 1.3.2 Performance Measures...... 65 1. Performance Measure 1: Youth will develop an Improved Support System...... 65 2. Performance Measure 2: Youth will contribute to improvements in the Child Welfare System...... 66 3. Performance Measure 3: Youth Development...... 66 4. Performance Measure 4: Permanency...... 66 MAP OF AMP COUNCIL LOCATIONS...... 68 YOUTH YAK FORM...... 69 SEMI-ANNUAL YOUTH SURVEY...... 71 FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY — GENERAL...... 72 FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY — GUEST SPEAKER...... 74 YOUTH SURVEY RESULTS DECEMBER 2011...... 75

4 July 1, 2011-January 30, 2012 AMP Semi-Annual Report To the Department of Human Services July 1, 2011 Startup of Partnership of Iowa Foster Care Youth Councils

Description

Eight non-profit agencies, led by Youth and Shelter Services (headquartered in Ames) have come together to create a new statewide collaboration known as the Partnership of Iowa Foster Care Youth Councils. The statewide Partnership seeks to unleash the full potential for personal growth among foster and adoptive youth in Iowa. Youth will be trained to become advocates for themselves and others and also participate in valuable leadership opportunities. Youth will share their personal stories with each other, provide understanding, and support for one another, gain life skills necessary to become healthy, independent adults and build partnerships with adults in the community.

Starting July 1, 2011, the highly regarded program formerly known as Elevate, was renamed AMP (Achieving Maximum Potential) a new name selected by foster care youth themselves. AMP is maintaining the look and feel of Elevate but now adds the involvement and advocacy by the eight local non-profit agencies. The Partnership plans to expand the AMP membership and outreach to foster care youth throughout Iowa.

Ten AMP Youth Councils have been funded through a grant from the Iowa Department of Human Services. The eight partner agencies are in the process of raising local funding to expand and enhance each local Council. AMP offers leadership opportunities, service learning projects, speaking opportunities, and educational/vocational assistance to youth ranging from ages 13 and up who have been involved in foster care, adoption or other out-of-home placements. AMP is also providing the life skills foster care youth need to become self-sufficient, independent adults.

AMP is a youth engagement program summarized by the motto “nothing about us, without us.” AMP will involve young people as advocates for themselves and as a voice for system-level improvements in child welfare policies and practices. When supported through productive partnerships with adults, youth can be authoritative advocates for making foster care more responsive and effective.

The eight partner agencies that are facilitating and leading the statewide foster care youth program include: Children’s Square USA (Cherokee, Council Bluffs, and Sioux City Councils), Family Resources (Davenport Council), Foundation 2 (Cedar Rapids Council), Four Oaks (Waterloo Council), Youth Shelter Care of North Central Iowa (Fort Dodge Council), as well as Youth and Shelter Services (Ames Council) and its branch in Des Moines known as Iowa Homeless Youth Centers (Des Moines Council). The Dubuque Council is overseen by the Community Circle of Care, a program of the University of Iowa. Educational and skill building services are provided to AMP through a collaborative agreement with Children and Families of Iowa.

In addition, the Partnership has links to two consulting agencies including the Youth Policy Institute of Iowa and Community Youth Concepts. The Partnership is networking with other stakeholders including, but not limited to, the Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, Iowa KidsNet, the Iowa Aftercare Services Network, and group homes/PMICS and shelters.

The Partnership agencies are offering AMP youth a comprehensive menu of support, community connections, and leadership opportunities in order for them to “achieve maximum potential.” Visit www.ampiowa.org for more information.

5 AMP Central Council (AMP-CC) is a youth leadership Council providing project oversight for AMP, and continues to be the guiding force within AMP. It is made up of two elected members from each Council. The major responsibility of AMP-CC members is to communicate information from local Councils to staff and to relay information back to their respective Councils.

Council Facilitators may be alumni of the system, supportive community members, or local foster parents, and are responsible for guiding/mentoring the local AMP Council meetings.

Local Support Position is a community person able to transport youth to and from speaking engagements as well as assist with Council meeting set-up. Safety checks are completed on each person considered for this role. Once these are clear, this person is allowed to volunteer with AMP.

AMP Contract Manager:

Doug Wolfe — Program Planner, Iowa Department of Human Services, ACFS Division

AMP Management Team:

Ruth I. E. Buckels, LMSW — Statewide AMP Coordinator

Terri Bailey — Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator and AMP Statewide Assistant Coordinator

Cheryl Johnson — Educational/Vocational Coordinator, via contract with Children and Families of Iowa

George Belitsos — CEO, Youth and Shelter Service, Inc. (YSS) — Lead AMP Agency

Terri Johanson — Rosedale/Aftercare Director and Ames Service Area Leader, Youth and Shelter Service, Inc. (YSS) — Lead AMP Agency

AMP Facilitators — Location — Partnership Agency:

1. and 2. Terri Bailey — Ames and Des Moines — Youth and Shelter Services, Inc.

3. Position is open currently — Cherokee/Storm Lake — Children’s Square, Inc.

4. Teanna Smart — Waterloo — Four Oaks, Inc.

5. Amanda Dellwo — Dubuque — University of Iowa

6. Evelyn Garrison — Davenport — Family Resources, Inc.

7. Mandi Kendzora — Cedar Rapids — Foundation 2, Inc.

8. Joni Griffin — Council Bluffs — Children’s Square, Inc.

9. Maria Weydert — Fort Dodge — Youth Shelter Care of North Central Iowa, Inc.

10. Patricia Redmond — Sioux City — Children’s Square, Inc.

AMP Partnership Agencies and Program Supervisors: 6 1. and 2.Youth and Shelter Services, Inc. — Ruth Buckels, Terri Johanson

3. Children’s Square, Inc. — Mary Elks

4. Four Oaks, Inc. — Deb Fitkin, Steve Edman

5. University of Iowa — Jill Kluesner, Vickie Miene

6. Family Resources, Inc. — Kim Arnold, Dawn Sturms

7. Foundation 2, Inc. — Ashley Mabrey

8. Children’s Square, Inc. — Mary Elks

9. Youth Shelter Care of North Central Iowa, Inc. — Diane Arndt

10. Children’s Square, Inc. — Mary Elks

AMP Consultants:

Carol Behrer — Executive Director, Youth Policy Institute of Iowa (YPII)

Amy Croll, LMSW — Executive Director, Community! Youth Concepts Youth Concepts (CYC)

What follows is our report to the Iowa Department of Human Services, covering activities from July 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. You will find our responses to specific scope of service requirements outlined in the Contract to Administer the Iowa Foster Care Youth Council.

7 1.3.1.1 Foster Care Youth Council Local Meeting Locations

Ames Des Moines The Ames Council meets on the 2nd and 4th The Des Moines Council meets on the 1st and Thursday of every month at Youth and 3rd Tuesday of every month at Polk County Shelter Services (420 Kellogg) in Ames from DHS-Riverplace (2309 Euclid Ave.) in Des 6:00-7:30pm. Moines from 6:00 — 8:00 p.m. This Council Council Facilitator: Terri Bailey serves supper at 5:30pm. Phone: 515-291-0476 Council Facilitator: Terri Bailey Email: [email protected] Phone: 515-291-0476 Email: [email protected] Cedar Rapids Dubuque The Cedar Rapids Council meets on the 1st The Dubuque Council meets on the 2nd and and 3rd Thursday of the month at the Four 4th Tuesday of every month from 6:00 -8:00 Oaks Bridge in the Fireside Room (2100 1st p.m. at the Multicultural Family Center (1157 Avenue NE) in Cedar Rapids from 6:30 — Central Ave.) in Dubuque. 8:30 p.m. Council Facilitator: Amanda Dellwo Council Facilitator: Mandi Kendzora Phone: 712-253-7963 Phone:319-368-3376 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Cherokee Fort Dodge The Cherokee Council meets on the 2nd and The Fort Dodge Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from 6:30 — 8:30 4th Thursdays of the month from 5:30 — 7:30 p.m. at the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran p.m. at GRLS Program (2406 9 ½ Ave. Church (300 E. Bow Drive) in Cherokee. South) in Fort Dodge. Council Facilitator: Mary Elks Council Facilitator: Maria Weydert phone: 712-325-5862 Phone: 515-890-1893 email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Council Bluffs Sioux City The Council Bluffs Council meets on the 1st The Sioux City Council meets the 1st and 3rd and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6:00 — Monday of every month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. at Micah House (1415 Avenue J) in at the Midtown Family Community Center, Council Bluffs. room 308, 525 14th Street in Sioux City. Council Facilitator: Joni Griffin Council Facilitator: Patricia Redmond Phone: 402-680-3554 Phone: 712-389-2005 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Davenport Waterloo The Davenport Council meets on the 2nd and The Waterloo Council meets on the 2nd 4th Thursday of the month from 6:45 — 7:45 Tuesday of every month from 6:30 — 8:30 p.m. at the Annie Wittenmyer Complex p.m. at Quakerdale, 140 S. Barclay St. in (2800 Eastern Avenue, Cottage 10, second Waterloo. On the 4th Tuesday we meet at floor) in Davenport. Bremwood, 106 — 16th St. SW in Waverly. Council Facilitator: Evelyn Garrison Council Facilitator: Teanna Smart Phone: 515-333-2219 Phone: 319-433-8172 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

8 1. Establish and maintain ten existing Local Councils as seen in Attachment A. Ensure there is at least one Local Council in each of the five Agency regions (also known as DHS Service Areas). Local Council changes require Agency approval.

Council locations have remained the same as they were at the beginning of this Contract. There is at least one within each DHS Service Area and AMP continues to write grants to add additional Councils if and when funds are approved. The DHS Contract Manager has been part of all conversations regarding funding and/or the proposed location for additional AMP Councils.

SEE ATTACHMENT 1 — MAP OF COUNCIL LOCATIONS

2. Maintain active membership of at least ten (10) youth per Local Council.

Even with the slower summer months at the beginning of this report period, AMP has been able to increase attendance in all but two of the current Councils. However, if one takes the average attendance over all ten Councils, this deliverable is met. In July, 176 youth attended meetings across Iowa. By the end of December, we had 1,087 youth who had attended AMP Council meetings across Iowa since July 1, 2011.

However, we know we have two Councils that are struggling with attendance. Children’s Square and the AMP Statewide Coordinator are working with local professionals to brainstorm community needs and to access how AMP can best be advertised to increase attendance in both Sioux City and in Cherokee/Storm Lake. As of December 31, 2011, the Cherokee/Storm Lake Facilitator resigned so AMP is taking this time to re-access the community supports and needs for a Council there. We had a conference call with local professionals in that area (DHS and CPPC) on January 19, 2012. As for the Sioux City location, the current Facilitator has recently moved the Council location to see if a site more easily accessed would increase numbers. To date, this has not produced measurable change. Children’s Square does have a corrective action plan in place for this Council.

3. Organize and implement all aspects of Local Council meeting arrangements (i.e., site, date/time, refreshments) as well as provide meeting notices and agenda.

Each individual Council is responsible for keeping a list of youth and area professionals and foster parents interested in AMP. At least 48 hours before Council meetings, the Facilitator is asked to send the agenda to their contact list. Some Facilitators send it out 1-2 weeks in advance. Each Facilitator supplies the AMP office with a copy of their agenda. Those are kept on file in the AMP office.

Procedures and Protocols can be found on Page 7 of the AMP Manual.

4. Local Council meetings will occur at least once per month in at least six locations starting July 2011, eight locations no later than September 2011 and ten locations no later than October 2011. Meetings at ten locations shall continue throughout the contract year.

Prior to the contract start date of July 1, 2011, YSS, the lead agency, had signed subcontracts with seven of the eight Partnership Agencies. The partnership agencies had hired all previous Elevate staff effective July 1, 2011 so there was no break in services to youth in any of the existing ten Councils. All ten Councils were operational as of July 1, 2011 and have remained operational throughout the reporting period.

In AMP’s efforts to make AMP more accessible to youth, a number of the Councils are meeting at different locations within their service area. For example, Cherokee meets in Cherokee once a month and in Storm Lake once a month. Waterloo also provides this service with one monthly meeting at Quakerdale in Waterloo and one monthly meeting at Bremwood in Waverly.

9 5. Develop an Agency approved procedure for establishing a new Local Council and maintaining programmatic consistency among Local Councils by December 1, 2011.

DHS was provided with a full AMP Policy and Procedure manual in mid-August 2011. The new procedure for establishing a new Council location was developed with the Partnership agencies and youth input. It can be found on page 20 of the AMP Operations Manual. This manual is a work in progress and will have more sections and protocols added to it as time allows. Youth are part of the development of each and every section of the AMP Manual as they must approve each section.

6. Bilingual staff or community volunteers shall be provided to translate if requested by clients who are not able to speak fluent English.

This is being provided as requested in the community of the youth’s Council meeting. Contacts with various state agencies and local community agencies have allowed AMP to identify and access these resources as they are needed.

7. Determine a name for the Iowa Foster Care Youth Council. Participants shall be included in the decision making process and the final name shall be approved by the Agency.

In May and June of 2011, once the DHS Contract had been awarded to Youth and Shelter Services, Inc. (YSS) but before staff members were able to be hired, YSS hosted a series of six statewide conference calls with youth, Facilitators, DHS and agency supervisors to brainstorm and select a new name, logo, colors and motto for the youth Council actual voice and ballot voting took place.. Simultaneously, youth in Council meetings were brainstorming and voting on each component which was then reported back to contractors. This process was completed before the July 1, 2011 contract start date. DHS Contract Manager Doug Wolfe was part of this process and the calls that happened. He voiced his verbal approval of the process and selection directly to the youth.

1.3.1.2 Youth Development

1. Provide on-going recruitment of Council participants ages 13 through 20 years old.

AMP continues to recruit members through advertising, word of mouth, agency involvement, speaking engagements, and through collaborative work with our eight Partnership Agencies, Iowa KidsNet and the Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (IFAPA). As time and space allowed during this reporting period, we submitted articles to these organizations’ newsletters, which reached our target audience. Our YSS Media Specialist, Eric Carlson, also facilitated a number of radio and newspaper slots that featured AMP and allowed us to educate the community. Copies of the written works were supplied to DHS at the time of publication.

Additionally, AMP youth were the featured speakers at five of the local Ames, Boone, Marshalltown, Nevada, and Webster City Community Holiday Events honoring donors, staff, and community support people for their work. AMP youth really enjoyed these presentations as it was a way to say “thanks” and give back to the ones who have believed in AMP and supported our work. Programs for these featured speaking engagements were submitted to DHS with an open invitation to attend. AMP informational tables have been set up at many community based conferences and events to advertise and supply information to the community.

Knowing this area is one we want to strengthen, AMP hosted a Focus Call on December 29, 2011 asking our youth to give us their ideas and suggestions for additional targeted recruitment. Below is the list of suggestions the youth gave staff on that call:

10 LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS:

 Put Calendar on Website — make it scheduled out a month or two in advance so we can get our work schedule set up around the AMP needs.

 Get the Council agenda’s posted in advance so we can get work off on the nights the topic is needed by us

 Get information / advertisements into small towns.

 Put it out in the school newsletters/announcements.

 Post it “on the square.”

 For the AMP youth in school, have them take flyers to the school guidance office.

 Put it on the Bus — bus ads.

 Use the Counselor’s office in the school, Dean’s office, etc.

 Get 10 brochures to every school guidance office for display and to educate the guidance counselor on the program.

 Do TV ads.

 Do PSA’s

 Do posters to hang in the schools. Bright and flashy!

 Where are the locations at college?

 Student activities council.

 Bulletin boards at DMACC.

 Youth buildings, shelters, homeless shelters, IHYC, etc.

 Holding AMP meetings on site for some of the “older” alum to host those meetings. Jenna brought up that the alum going back into those sites might re-trigger them. We need to be careful doing this.

 Put brochures in counseling offices.

 Have AMP youth reach a counselor’s meeting /training and share with them about AMP so they can tell their clients about it.

 Partner with DHS workers, JCO, police to make a referral if a youth is removed. Could also be working with PARENT PARTNERS.

 Call individual foster homes that host teens and invite them to AMP. Do individually so the youth involved knows someone before they come to a meeting.

11  DHS Protocol…to reach Social Worker II’s (field offices) the protocol is to send it to the “leads” in each service area and they would get it to the case workers…(Doug would facilitate this if we got them a letter/brochure). We could do a letter; we could do a video they could watch with their youth; we could do webinars, we could talk face to face; and so many more…

Also on the call, youth were asked for ideas to facilitate better retention of youth. The following ideas were mentioned:

What is working to RETAIN members?

 Getting our name out there through speaking engagements, parenting classes, DHS classes.

 Speaking at PS-MAPP classes.

 Having more events where there are activities.

 Have the youth lead it more — have the youth do the full-leadership, announcements, highs/lows and allow Facilitators to sit down. The more youth take over, the more they attend and put themselves into it.

 Keep others involved by showing an interest in everyone that attends.

 Do more community involvement activities. Project Linus was great.

 Suggestion was made for a party to be hosted after the event or after the service project.

 Recognize youth better so that everyone wants to attend, do more, give more, etc.

 Use Youth Yak!

 Re-invite some of the older youth them — they need to feel wanted.

 We need to ease people in — AMP meetings can be overwhelming, ask them what will make them come back.

 Talk to them, ask them to meet you, share numbers, hang out with them, mentor them, and be their guide.

 Make each Council have greeters to share with the new people and be their guides/mentors. AMP-CC = they need to be the greeters as they are to know what is going on all the time and share this with new people.

 Find out what the new people’s strengths are. Match them with others that have that strength.

As promised on the call, the AMP Statewide Coordinator will be sharing all these ideas with the Council Facilitators to get feedback on implementation. From these conversations, a recruitment plan will be written and presented to the youth at the AMP-CC meeting in April for adjustments and approval.

2. Develop and implement a strategy for participant recruitment, which is inclusive and effectively draws a diversity of youth. The Council is intended to represent the population of children in Foster Care. Also, the implementation strategy shall address ways the Contractor will reach out to youth in the 12 various placement types (family foster care, residential treatment centers, relative placements, institutions, aftercare, etc.). The Council will be youth driven and reflect the racial, cultural, ethnic diversity of youth in Foster Care and provide access to youth from all levels of Foster Care. The strategy shall include recruitment of foster care alumni.

Please note answer to number one for the specific ideas generated by youth for recruitment and for Media exposure.

To address diversity, AMP advocates for all youth in care, without discrimination. Having a diverse voice adds validity to the AMP message. Please see our website for photographs, stories, and opportunities specifically selected to share AMP diversity. AMP Statewide staff are now participating in an YSS Diversity Task Force and also a newly formed LGBTQ Youth Best Practice Committee.

To address the issue of various placement types as well as cultural and ethnic diversity, AMP, through the Partnership of Iowa Foster Care Youth Councils, has shifted the meeting locations onto residential grounds, community grounds, and/or treatment sites in order to reach more youth. Past experience has shown that transportation still remains one of the largest hurdles youth face in order to access AMP Council meetings. Currently, the Council Facilitators and their support staff take up to an hour before and after Council meetings to pick up and return youth to their homes. Our Fort Dodge Council received a grant to fund a driver to reach out to the counties surrounding Webster. This has proven successful. Other Councils watch for grant funds similar to these for this purpose. In the metro areas, more youth could be transported, but the vehicles fill quickly which makes rides a first call first pick up situation.

In addition to providing transportation, AMP has additional residential, shelter and foster home providers that bring youth to and from meetings. This is a direct positive result of the move to eight subcontractor partnership agencies. These places usually are staffed, which means AMP directly benefits from these partner agency staff staying and participating in the Council meetings. Youth have reported they like having their staff present to learn at AMP from them and about them. They report better relationships from sharing AMP with their staff.

To reach the system alumni, AMP has reached out to Aftercare/PAL Self-Sufficiency Advocates and their participants. AMP is sharing educational materials with the IASN providers and asking them to share it with participants. In exchange, Aftercare/PAL is going to let us know when they do share it so we can track additional youth we are reaching with resources and supports. Additionally, the Des Moines Council planned two activities this report period in order to mingle and share AMP resources with youth attending.

To reach adopted, guardianship and kinship youth who are no longer connected to the system, AMP provides advertisements and articles in IFAPA’s Weekly Word and in their News and Views Quarterly Newsletter. Since the location of these youth falls under confidential information, this is the best way to reach out to their families. AMP also has staff that train for IFAPA and can share about AMP when they meet face-to-face with families in training.

Finally, AMP has joined Facebook and we have an active Website for youth to access when meeting attendance is not possible. By looking at the pictures on these two sites, a viewer will see evidence of diversity. Alumni report this as a great addition to AMP.

3. Provide for training as needed for Council participants to assist them in their role as a participant, including but not limited to training focusing on leadership skills, team building, effective communication (including advocacy skills and healthy disclosure), and accessing and promoting community resources.

Please see individual Council Meeting Reports for the specific trainings offered at the local levels. 13 New AMP Member Training is the uniform training all youth are asked to go through in order to earn their Polo shirts. All participants are given T-shirts (as supply allows), but only those completing New Member Training are given a Polo shirt. New Member Training can be provided by any of the trained Facilitators, but the Statewide Coordinator has requested an invitation to each of these trainings so she may attend and welcome youth to the Council.

In 2012, AMP youth have once again partnered with YSS Risky Business Conference planners to share the topics and interests youth want to learn about. On May 1, 2012, a youth keynote will be dedicated to technology and most of the workshops at this conference are open to youth. This gives AMP youth a unique opportunity to both teach and learn among the professionals directly impacting their lives.

AMP has an ongoing relationship with the Family Planning Council of Iowa to offer relationship education. Healthy boundaries are covered extensively in this training. This was offered statewide.

AMP has also prioritized many education and vocation trainings statewide based on work by our Education/Vocation position. This is part of a collaborative agreement between YSS and CFI. Cheryl Johnson, Educational/Vocational Facilitator, makes sure there are four topics trained to all Councils each year. Youth are pre-test and post-test evaluated to demonstrate knowledge was gained.

Other training areas are focused on advocacy, communication, health, healthy relationships, and general life- skills. Each Facilitator offered these using their knowledge or that of volunteer/community members. The Facilitator was expected to ask the youth for training topics and then seek out/schedule and facilitate a community member coming into a meeting and sharing their knowledge with the youth. This exposes the youth to community-involved adults and allowed them to make connections.

AMP’s current training packages can be found on the website. AMP is in the process of developing a new “Get it Right” training that will be premiered at the IFAPA conference in March 2012.

In addition to those on the website, staff have developed and given trainings on: Prescription Drugs, Vicarious Trauma, Stress Management, Working with Sexual Abuse Victims, Mentoring, Parenting Girls, Parenting Boys, The Impact on the Biological Children (in a foster home) and many others upon request. AMP was gifted with staff and youth experienced in training so training development is an area of strength.

14 4. Provide opportunities for each participant to become involved within the Council according to their strengths and interests, through various means which may include writing, speaking engagements, committee work, Council leadership, creation of a website specific to youth in Foster Care, or some other method chosen by the participant(s).

This is an area where AMP excels. The youth are presented many opportunities to share their strengths and creativity. All the Council Facilitators take the extra time to ask youth about their areas of interest and if they want to participate, give, share, teach or support their Council in this area. Consistent with our past, current AMP youth volunteer for what they are comfortable sharing. No youth is forced or required to do any activity for AMP.

New to AMP is a document we call “Youth Yak” which is designed to help youth sign up and share what they most want to do.

SEE ATTACHMENT 2 — YOUTH YAK

With our new website, www.ampiowa.org, youth in each Council are able to update their local Council page, learning and teaching this skill to the Council.

On the main website, there will finally be a Poetry Book — written works submitted by youth. This addition of works will be added to the site as soon as the Statewide Coordinator gives final approval. Thanks to the web- design, the book can have unlimited pages so youth will be able to submit poetry for this book for years to come.

Facebook has also been added to our youth list of connectors. At last count, there were close to 70 requests for “addition” to the “Achieving Maximum Potential - AMP” Facebook page. One of the highly anticipated features of the Facebook page is the instant communications/feedback loop AMP has needed for some time. It is now possible for us to ask “friends” to answer questions on our blog as well as post comments and answers on our wall. With this availability, staff will now have a chance to get / give information in record time. Again, participation is voluntary.

Another new feature to AMP will be an advanced speakers training. In the past, we have piloted a number of different training concepts with our speaker’s bureau and we have not found one the youth accepted. Thanks to our Council Bluffs Council and youth recommendations, AMP has begun working with a Western Iowa Tech Instructor in Communications and Speech to develop and train a pilot group of our youth. This trainer is a licensed foster parent in Iowa and has inside knowledge of our AMP population — something our youth highly value. This training will take place in March of 2012 and will involve ten youth on two consecutive Saturdays.

5. Provide a means to honor or recognize participants for accomplishments or growth.

For AMP, the recognitions vary for youth. Some have asked for gift cards, some ask for merchandise (options remain limited due to funds) and some ask for additional privileges depending on their needs.

AMP has continued to provide the suitcases for youth aging out of system care. We hope to do this as long as there are area supports for this activity. AMP does not have the funds to do this internally so community support and funding is essential. Some Councils have received private money to offer this in the past while other Councils have not. When the Statewide Coordinator speaks to community groups, this is one of the many options she presents for groups to support us. Filling even one suitcase impacts a youth positively. These suitcases are AMP’s community outreach. Recipients do not have to participate in AMP to receive a suitcase. A note inviting them to AMP and giving them connections to people and resources in their community is

15 provided within each suitcase. AMP presents the suitcase after we are contacted and updated on the need for one.

Another area, but also under the title of recognition, is for AMP to recognize those that support us and our youth. AMP has developed a Certificate of Appreciation to be given by the youth to the individuals that support, encourage, guide, and advance youth and/or youth issues. This certificate is new for us. The first to receive a certificate will be First Lady Chris Branstad on January 24, 2012. During past conferences, AMP/Elevate recognized individuals that have contributed and supported youth causes. AMP wants to continue this honoring process at both a local and state level. Locally, it can be done anytime the youth vote to do it. Statewide, there is a plan to have this done at the Risky Business Conference during the youth portion of the morning programing. AMP youth will make this selection and presentation.

In the planning stage are two new methods of recognition, the AMP COIN for service and the Recognition Rocks. As noted, they are in the planning stage and have yet to have the AMP-CC set the guidelines on how they will be implemented within the Councils. More on these two recognitions in the next report.

6. Provide leadership opportunities for participants.

The basic structure of AMP is and will always be youth-driven. AMP was set up by adults with youth input throughout. Currently, no program changes are made without youth input. AMP still has identified AMP-CC (AMP — Central Council) members that each of the Facilitators and the Statewide Coordinator can access for programming. Youth are asked to: set up meetings, greet participants as they arrive, provide them with healthy snacks and positive conversation, give them access to support, education, resources and information as needed before bidding them safe journey upon leaving. Within each meeting there is an educational time where a topic is selected by the youth; in an area they have need. Council Facilitators create a community connection for AMP with this presenter by making arrangements for time, space, and location. Once this is set, the youth are to welcome, assist, and fulfill any of the speaker’s requests. This system supports many AMP leadership opportunities for youth. With the AMP youth that have been attending long-term, they have begun setting up speakers and making the arrangements with minimal Facilitator direction. This shows youth confidence and leadership well.

New to the Council meetings are the Youth Yak opportunities and those are again focused on leadership.

SEE ATTACHMENT 2

7. Provide social/recreational opportunities for participants to encourage social support and to facilitate youth "buy in."

Social and recreational opportunities offered by AMP are an important part of connecting youth to others and building their “buy in.” Please refer to the individual Council reports for extensive evidence of this.

8. Link with existing effective youth Councils, advocacy groups, or child serving organizations.

The Des Moines AMP Council has had the privilege of reciprocal invitations to work with and enjoy the outcome of a service activity with InSight Opportunity Passport Youth Leadership Board, Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, with funds managed by Youth Policy Institute of Iowa (YPII).

Through YPII, AMP received the opportunity to attend a Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative Sponsored Training on Adult-Youth Partnerships in September of 2011. This was our first retreat gathering as an AMP Statewide Council and many of the youth attending were new to a retreat as well as new to an AMP-CC

16 meeting. Casey personnel worked with the AMP youth and the AMP adults separately to identify partnership successes and partnership needs.

In an effort to reach the Aftercare and PAL youth, AMP Facilitators have added the list of Aftercare/PAL providers to their contact lists and have been supplying them with agendas for the AMP Council meetings. The Statewide Coordinator has been invited to attend the quarterly Aftercare Provider meetings and share AMP updates. Ruth Buckels has attended and reported at two IASN Statewide meetings in September and December 2011. Aftercare/PAL staff have been willing to share educational information with their participants so AMP is providing materials to be given to the youth and has requested a signature sheet be exchanged so AMP can track contacts. AMP wishes to be a resource to them. AMP staff recognize that Aftercare/PAL participants are active, busy, and successful. AMP does not want to hinder this progress by adding another meeting to their schedule. AMP youth view these successful individuals as mentors and would like to have them share their knowledge. Contact with and guidance from them is rewarding for AMP youth. This linked exchange will be a focus for AMP as our goal is to assist system youth in any way we can. AMP wishes to learn from this population and adjust our program offerings to equip AMP youth for additional successes.

AMP has met with the Iowa Youth Against Tobacco Council (formerly called JEL (Just Eliminate Lies)), and SIYAC (State of Iowa Youth Action Committee) to discuss co-working on a conference they are putting together for February 2012. AMP has already committed funds to the Risky Business Conference so has offered to help these two groups with arranging speakers for their conference and to share with our Councils the invitation to attend.

AMP also has promised to notify both of these Councils as well as I-JAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates) and the Iowa Youth Congress when registration opens for Risky Business. This way, the youth can attend and interact with AMP youth in the conference setting. It is hoped that all the groups will have a presence at both conference settings for interaction as well as sharing youth goals/direction for future events.

Additionally, AMP will share with all these group leaders our finalized Legislative Agenda and invite all to our AMP ON THE HILL day on January 24, 2012. The groups that also have legislative agendas have promised to return this favor to AMP for our youth to have a chance to advocate for their ideas.

AMP met and shared stories with HOPE DRAMA TROUPE — a high school drama troupe supported by Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. Elevate, now AMP, has shared youth stories with HOPE each year since 2007. HOPE Youth use these stories to write the dramas they perform as a means of increasing community awareness and empathy within both the school and the community setting.

9. Design, develop, and host a website for youth using a premium content management system that will allow youth to help manage the website's content. The website will have several components including, but not limited to, an events calendar, feedback, frequently asked questions, and news and press releases. The website shall be available to youth no later than January 1, 2012.

Iowa AMP Website Progress Report Report Submitted by Eric Carlson — YSS Public Relations

Youth and Shelter Services wants to ensure that AMP foster care youth and Facilitators have an integrated and exciting Web presence. To that end, YSS has created a new, distinct, and unique site that will increase communication and participation by AMP youth and their allies. The site is designed so that the AMP youth and Facilitators will be empowered to take ownership and responsibility for creative content and updates.

YSS has designed, developed, and secured hosting for the AMP website using a premium content management system that allows AMP Council Facilitators and youth to manage the website’s content with no programming 17 knowledge required. YSS has created a website with the following general characteristics: clear, consistent concepts and templates throughout site; easy navigation and advanced information architecture; printer friendly pages; compatibility with all major browsers and platforms; robustness and scalability to larger size and increased duties; ease of updating and maintenance; optimization for fast downloading; and an eye-catching, professionally designed and practical layout.

The site interface aesthetic is created with the end-user in mind, to be both comprehensive and intuitive. It allows youth and Facilitators the ability to manage page content using an editor with page functions similar to Microsoft Word when using a web-based text editor. Another unique feature of the site is the ability to add unlimited numbers of pages that the website’s navigation automatically updates as pages and sections are added. The system allows users to store and manage documents by uploading, storing, and linking various documents and files to any page within the website. It allows users to make changes instantly without experiencing delays when creating or modifying content. The site is accessible for updating/maintenance from any Web-connected computer because it is browser-based, which allows site users to log in from any computer with an internet connection and Internet Explorer.

YSS has provided several components integrated into the new AMP website including:

Events Calendar — Youth/Facilitators have the ability to create and manage upcoming events. The data entered will be automatically formatted and displayed on the website.

Feedback — The website is equipped with a page containing a form that allows website visitors to email inquiries, questions, comments, or concerns to a designated email account. The designated email account can be changed as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) — Youth/Facilitators have the ability to create and manage Frequently Asked Questions.

Home Page Builder — Youth/Facilitators have the ability to select and manage different home page layouts and content boxes.

News and Press Releases — Youth/Facilitators are able to manage news and press releases with the latest news and press releases featured on a specific page that dynamically updates the news based on submissions.

Partners and Sponsors — Youth/Facilitators have the ability to create, manage, and highlight partners and sponsors.

Resources and Links — Youth/Facilitators have the ability to create and manage categories of information and add individual resources associated with these categories.

Testimonials/Youth Profiles — Youth/Facilitators have the ability to create, edit, and delete various testimonials/profiles. Embedded YouTube videos are also available throughout the site.

Blogs — The Youth/Facilitators have access to a typical blog combining text, images, links to other blogs, web pages, and supplemental media related to its topic. The ability for youth and their allies to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of the site. Administrators/Facilitators are able to control exactly what content is displayed and can micro-manage the way blog comments are entered and displayed.

Search — An integrated search engine allows website visitors to find pages on a given subject. The search engine locates particular pages based on the entered keywords, and filters the results on a designated page in the website. 18 Iowa AMP Facebook Development Plan Report Submitted by Terri Bailey — Ames and Des Moines Council Facilitator and Assistant Coordinator

Additionally, YSS has created a new Facebook page for AMP utilizing the latest Facebook components that allow youth to chat with their Facebook AMP friends on a one-to-one basis, or to chat with multiple friends simultaneously through separate chat interfaces. The Facebook messaging feature allows youth to communicate with each other similar to email. YSS has created Achieving Maximum Potential — AMP “Group” for the AMP youth that enables them to discuss and plan for different AMP events and programs. The AMP Facebook group utilizes a Facebook “like” button that allows individuals to connect to AMP pages and events and allows for some data tracking of who “likes” the Youth Councils events and programs. Facebook events are a way for members to let friends know about upcoming events in their community and to organize social gatherings. The AMP Facebook page and its regular website are cross-linked and cohesively branded to create the same look and feel throughout as much as possible. Youth will be actively recruited and engaged to utilize both the site and Facebook page.

YSS provides several components integrated into the new AMP Facebook page including:

Events Calendar — Members have the ability to create and manage upcoming events using the “create an event” feature on the Facebook page. The data entered will be automatically formatted and displayed on the Facebook calendar.

Feedback — The Facebook page is equipped with a format that allows visitors to see basic information on the AMP group but only members added by the administrator can respond to post inquiries, questions, comments, or concerns for discussion. This feature protects the confidentiality of the AMP youth plus allows youth the freedom to chat with friends without exposure to the general public. AMP Facebook group is used to gather youth input across the state on issues driven by the group and also allows the youth to vote on issues posted on the AMP wall in a timelier manner than a bi-monthly Council meeting.

News and Press Releases — Youth can see current news posts and press releases featured in a content box on the home page that dynamically updates the news based on Youth/Administrator submissions.

Resources and Links — Youth automatically see a post whenever a document is created that establishes a link to a website that provides a resource for AMP youth.

Photo Albums — This option allows all AMP youth to create photo albums and add, edit, and delete images to the photo albums. The photo albums will be displayed on the Facebook page under the photo apps or on the wall in slide show format. Embedded YouTube videos will be available throughout the AMP page.

Administrators — Administrators are provided with the ability to moderate the site to protect the Facebook page from inappropriate, explicit, and other offensive postings by an automatic display of all feedback postings to the Administrators’ cell phones.

1.3.1.3 Youth Engagement in Child Welfare

1. Identify youth for representation at Agency workgroups, training (i.e., staff, care providers, key stakeholders), or other venues in which youth input would benefit the development or implementation of child welfare policies and practices.

AMP has continued, without interruption, to serve on the same child welfare committees statewide as we did under Elevate. Youth share their stories with child welfare workers about how the decisions workers make impact youth. AMP strives to be a source of youth representation for the Department of Human Services 19 (DHS) workgroups, trainings, or other venues in which youth input would benefit from the development or implementation of child welfare policies and practices. AMP members were presenting at staff trainings and were part of the training that new department workers receive. When a youth could not be present, AMP staff asked to be present and represent the youth voice. Information gathered in these venues is taken to the AMP- CC members in each Council for distribution and collection of ideas/direction.

AMP youth/staff were involved in the following committee or events:

 Action Team — (Patty, Member)

 Adoption Saturday Committee — (Patty, Member)

 Boone Homeless Youth Initiative — (Ruth, Statewide Coordinator, Youth: Jon and Dakota

 Breakthrough Series Collaborative CORE Team, Crossover Youth (BSC) — (Patty, Member)

 CFSR — (Ruth, Statewide Coordinator, Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator, Youth: Franceska, Keith, and Julie)

 Child and Community Task Force — Waterloo — (Teanna)

 Child Welfare Advisory Committee — (two AMP youth have attended)

 Child Welfare Permanency Committee — (Jenna, AMP Youth, and Statewide AMP Staff)

 Collaboration of Agencies for Permanency and Stability, Oversight Committee — (CAPS Project) (Patty, Member)

 Community Circle of Care Youth Board — Dubuque (Six youth are board members)

 Community Partnership for Protecting Children (CPPC) — (Chantell Lamont, support)

 Community Partnership for Protecting Youth — planning committee member — (Joni Griffin)

 Convening of the Education Collaborative — (Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator, Cheryl, Ed/Vocational Coordinator, Ruth, Statewide Coordinator, Youth: Bobby, Jake, Taylor, and Clayton)

 CPPC — Des Moines (Bobby, John and Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator)

 CPPC sites — Three statewide — (Bobby, Jon and Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator)

 DHS Human Services Council — (Jenna, AMP Youth spoke at an August funding hearing)

 Education Collaborative — (Patrick, Ruth, Statewide Coordinator, Cheryl, Ed/Vocational Coordinator and Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator)

 Elevate Our Youth to Adulthood Committee — (Cheryl, Ed/Vocational Coordinator — CFI)

20  Families for Children (FIC) — (Julie, Council Bluffs Support Person and Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator, Youth: Julie)

 Family Team Meetings — (Facilitator, Joni Griffin)

 Fort Dodge Decat (Maria)

 Governor’s Council on Education — (Ruth, Statewide Coordinator)

 Governor’s Council on Permanency Planning — (Ruth, Statewide Coordinator and Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator, Youth: Julie and Jenna)

 HALO Training — CFI — (Cheryl, Ed/Vocational Coordinator and Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator)

 Human Services Advisory Council — (Joni Griffin)

 Iowa Aftercare Service — (Joni Griffin — self-sufficiency advocate)

 Iowa Aftercare Services Network (IASN) — (Ashley Mabrey, Supervisor)

 Iowa Aftercare Services Network (IASN) — (Ruth)

 Iowa Workforce, Region 12, Youth Advisory Council (YAK) — (Patty, Member)

 Iowa Youth Dream Team — (Ruth, Statewide Coordinator and Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator, Youth Advocates are: Franceska, Bennett, Jake, Taylor, Kayti, Clayton, Jon, Dakota, ManDee, Kallie, Krysta,)

 Iowa Youth Dream Team Facilitator in Training — Cedar Rapids — (Ashley Mabrey, Supervisor)

 Iowa Youth Dream Teams — (Joni Griffin, Facilitator, Youth: Jenna Oliver)

 Juvenile Justice — (Chantell Lamont, support)

 Juvenile Justice — Service Area 5 (Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator)

 Juvenile Justice/Ames — (Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator and Ruth, Statewide Coordinator)

 Kids First Council — (Joni Griffin)

 Mentoring Task Force — Waterloo — (Teanna and youth)

 Model Court — Connections Subcommittee — (Cheryl, Ed/Vocational Coordinator)

 Model Court — Kinship Subcommittee — (Cheryl, Ed/Vocational Coordinator)

 NAMI — (Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator) 21  NW Iowa TYI Task Team — (Ruth, Statewide Coordinator)

 Opportunity Passport Advisory Board (Cheryl, Ed/Vocational Coordinator)

 Parent Partner — (Clayton and Ruth, Statewide Coordinator)

 Parent Partners (Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator and Ruth, Statewide Coordinator)

 PIP for DM (Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator, Youth: Franceska, Julie, Keith)

 PS-MAPP trainings — statewide — (youth varies)

 Quad Cities Council on Community Service (QCC on CS) — (Chantell Lamont, support)

 Reggie’s Sleepout — IHYC (Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator)

 Risky Business Conference Planning Committee (Ruth, Statewide Coordinator and youth)

 TIPP Coalition (Teen Information on Pregnancy Prevention) (Fort Dodge) — (Maria and Youth)

 Transition Review Committee (TRC) — (Chantell Lamont, support)

 Transitional Living Program Meeting — Cedar Rapids — (Ashley Mabrey, Supervisor)

 Transitioning Youth Advisory — Waterloo (Teanna and youth)

 Transitioning Youth Initiative — YPII — (Cheryl, Ed/Vocational Coordinator and Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator)

 YSS Legislative Group — (Terri, Des Moines and Ames Council Facilitator and Ruth, Statewide Coordinator)

In addition to regular work on any of the above committees, AMP youth or staff or both were frequent guest speakers at other meetings. Many speaking engagements were not local but they provide a way to get the word out about AMP and increase awareness of local AMP Councils.

On a National level, AMP staff continue to consult with youth and staff in South Dakota.

In October 2011, the Statewide Coordinator was the recipient of the Angel in Adoption Award for the 4th Congressional District in Iowa. YSS supported the receipt of this award by allowing a four-day trip to Washington, D.C. While there, face-to-face meetings were held with over 30 legislators (initially set up by Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, then expanded by Ruth to all the Iowa delegates for the purpose of sharing AMP). All offices of Iowa legislators were visited and AMP brochures were shared. On a number of occasions, the staff of legislators in Washington contacted AMP for stories, resources, and information.

These contacts in Washington for AMP have been very useful in legislation planning and research here in Iowa. Senator Grassley and his staff continue to be heroes for foster and adoptive youth. The Statewide Coordinator

22 was also able to attend a Rotary Meeting in Ames with Senator Grassley and present him with an AMP T-shirt and a thank you note from the youth for all he does to advocate and educate on our issues.

2. Prepare and train all youth who participate in public meetings and presentations to prepare them and to minimize risk to the youth.

At print time, a new protocol for this has been developed and submitted to DHS for feedback. Once it is returned to the AMP Statewide Coordinator, it will go to the youth at the new AMP-CC meeting for input, change, and approval. Between now and then, AMP will host the pilot training in March which will give the youth the insight needed to update our current procedure.

The other key component of the development of this speaker training will be the incorporation of Positive Youth Development Goals taught to all AMP Facilitators and this Coordinator in February of 2012 by Amy Croll, LMSW, Executive Director, Community! Youth Concepts Youth Development and AMP Consultant. To date, this training is scheduled but has not taken place so key components are missing from our current practice.

Until this protocol is updated, AMP has a new speaker sheet developed that is modified per presentation that youth can use to plan and prepare remarks on. This sheet, called the “speaker cheat sheet” (youth named) assists the youth in targeting remarks, especially those about their own journey to brief, targeted points selected to reach their target audience. In completing this sheet, the youth are able to decide what, if anything, they want to share; how much they will share; and what their goal in sharing is. This sheet is then shared with and practiced with the adult attending their presentation with them. Once the presentation is complete, the youth processes the event and can compare their initial goals with the results of their sharing. This, too, takes place with the adult attending with them so the adult has a chance to emotionally process and support the youth and the youth has the chance to receive this support as needed.

AMP continues to ask each Council Facilitator to work with the youth that have volunteered to speak publicly or sit on committees. This is not a once and done procedure as AMP Facilitators and adults are fully aware of the vulnerability of our youth, and we are invested in protecting them and promoting their healing through this empowerment. This individual work is in addition to New Member Training and consists of reminding the youth about all concepts set out in New Member Training and adding in the goals and specifics of the meeting/committee work they are joining.

Due to the wide variety of requests for youth voice, AMP has needed to do this work individually with the youth willing to participate for practical purposes. It does little good to train all when only one or two youth are involved. When the Council Facilitator connects a youth to a committee, the Facilitator or the Council Support person usually transports and sits in on the meeting with the youth. This allows the adult to answer questions and clarify goals and direction of the work for the youth as well as discuss outcomes/debrief on the way home.

This process has proven successful overall, but AMP is at a point where fine-tuning our speaker-training will be a benefit. AMP is looking forward to March.

3. Develop procedure to respond timely to requests for youth input into child welfare and related activities, initiatives, and workgroups.

This procedure has been developed and approved by DHS and installed on page 27 of the AMP Manual.

As this new procedure is tested, AMP is hopeful with the structured guidelines will be successful at meeting DHS and Child Welfare requests.

23 The Statewide Coordinator is working closely with both DHS and the Council Facilitators to match youth with speaker requests so all parties are served.

4. Develop and implement a mechanism to compensate youth for time and travel expenses. Compensation and travel payments shall not be limited to participants. Compensation must comply with Agency Travel Guidelines.

This procedure has been developed and approved by DHS and installed on page 27 of the AMP Manual.

Per the protocol in place, DHS will notify AMP of the expenses paid and those needing to be covered for the youth to participate. AMP plans to cover all needed expenses per the Agency Travel Guidelines as directed.

Once AMP has knowledge of the compensation needs, an inner-office blue sheet will be generated with the youth’s name, address and contact data on it as well as an itemized list of the expense and YSS, as lead agency for the Foster Youth Councils, will issue the funds to the youth.

1.3.1.4 Annual Foster Care Youth Conference

1. Provide an annual statewide conference for youth (ages 13 through 20 years old) in Foster Care and Alumni.

AMP is participating in the planning and hosting of the Risky Business Conference set for May 1, 2012 in Ames, Iowa.

Overnight accommodations have been reserved at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp north of Story City for the evening of April 30, 2012.

An AMP-CC meeting is scheduled for that evening at the campground for all the youth attending the Conference. This means that there will be more than AMP-CC input for the tasks and protocols set before the youth for approval but, being youth driven, AMP believes: the more input, the better the output.

2. Provide invitations, agenda, arrange presenters, and oversee the entire delivery of the youth conference.

As in past years, Risky Business registrations, invitations, agendas, and presenter information are all provided to the public on-line. This saves thousands of dollars in print costs and has proven to be a successful means of reaching system and community professionals. Risky Business has been around over 20 years and is one of the system’s premier conferences for professionals and youth.

The Conference will be held on May 1, 2012. January 23, 2012 is the last day for presenters to submit their applications to present. On January 24, 2012, the scheduling of workshops will be finalized by the committee the youth and Statewide coordinator have worked on. This schedule then moves to the personnel that will get it on-line and set up registration. The costs, artwork, keynotes, and basic structure of the conference have already been set up and confirmed by the ongoing Conference Committee.

The Statewide Coordinator sent notice to all Council Facilitators and their Partnership Agencies to reserve the conference date months ago. Attendance and bringing youth to this conference are part of the Contract Requirement for each Partnership Agency. The Conference announcements and information are on all monthly call agendas and will become more pronounced as we near April — when registration opens.

24 Following the plans AMP currently has, the Statewide Coordinator will announce when registration opens and provide registration instructions to all Council Facilitators, Partnership Agencies, and the youth Council staff (SIYAC, I-JAG, Tobacco Task Force) we are collaborating with. Council Facilitators will be instructed to notify all the people on their agenda email lists and any community supports they have. The Statewide Coordinator will also provide this to DHS via our Contract Manager, Doug Wolfe, for DHS distribution.

YSS sends the brochure with registration instructions to 8,000+ people in Iowa.

25 3. Partner with other organizations, agencies, youth groups, or advocacy groups as appropriate.

See answer in 1.3.1.2 #8

1.3.1.5 Reporting of Services Delivered and Outcomes

1. Submit semi-annual reports to the Agency, within thirty days of the end of each reporting period, detailing staff activities, status of projects, community connections, recruitment efforts, participant, and Facilitator training provided and opportunities and barriers experienced. All Contractual Deliverables in the Scope of Work shall be reported, as well as performance measures.

This report is due to the Agency by January 30, 2012. It will be completed and submitted on time. AMP’s working relationship with the Agency is incredibly supportive and cooperative.

Ames: Submitted by Terri Bailey

The Ames AMP Council continues to meet at Youth and Shelter Services Jacobson building where it held its first meeting in May of 2007. From July 1 through December 31, 2011, eleven Council meetings have been held. The group has 57 registered members and averages 24 youth per Council meeting. Our lowest attendance was 16 and the highest was 39; attendance varies due to the number of youth living in our three residential/treatment facilities: Rosedale Shelter, Seven-12 House, and Youth Recovery House. Even though some youth living in residential/treatment settings may attend AMP Council meetings on a regular basis for a short period of time, they do not fill out AMP applications or release forms due to confidentiality policies of the residential/treatment facilities. Our bi-monthly Council meetings educate these youth by giving them information, peer support, opportunities within their community and offers AMP as a lifelong connection whether they reunify with birth family or are placed in a foster home after treatment.

This Council continues to meet at Youth and Shelter Services, located at 420 Kellogg in downtown Ames. Ames AMP meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Youth Activity Center (YAC room), and YSS is our new provider agency as well as the lead agency for the Partnership of Iowa’s Foster Care Youth Councils. AMP’s statewide office is located in the lower level of the Family Life Center, the second headquarters for YSS youth programs and family counseling. Both the Program Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator (this Facilitator) are housed in this office and work closely with YSS Foster Care, Aftercare, and Transitional Living programs.

YSS has embraced the AMP program, surrounding it with all of this agency’s resources, talented staff, and supportive community. Since youth are the focus of this agency, AMP fits nicely with the other youth programs and we are working hard to collaborate with InSight (Youth Policy Institute) and Aftercare Services. The new program structure, featuring a partnership of agencies, has allowed AMP to reach more youth and created local support for all ten Councils. Youth statewide suggested names to replace “Elevate” as the program transitioned and it was an Ames youth who suggested our new name, “Achieving Maximum Potential.” The past six months have been filled with youth and adults working together to recreate Iowa’s Foster Care Youth Council and launch it into the future!

Ames AMP youth are represented on several committees within the child welfare system including KidsNet Recruitment and Retention, Transitioning Youth Initiative, Reggie’s Sleepout, Iowa Youth Dream Team, Boone Rural Homeless Youth Project, FIC (Families for Iowa’s Children), Permanency Subcommittee of the Child Welfare Advisory Committee and the Governor’s Youth Council. This Facilitator serves as AMP’s Assistant Coordinator, attends the YSS Juvenile Justice Committee meetings, participates on the YSS Legislative Committee, and is a member of the Iowa Education Collaborative. 26 July 2011

Council Meetings:

July 14: Twenty youth reviewed the New Iowa law effective July 1, No texting while driving! This law also included that no one under age 18 can talk on their cell phones while driving. Guest speaker Gabe Mients, first Ames Facilitator, spoke about growing up in foster care and joining the Army. He talked about traveling overseas, living in Korea, and his future career in the Army.

July 28: Twenty-three youth listened to guest speaker Susan Herrick from Community and Family Resources talk about the dangers of teens gambling. She had an interactive power point presentation that asked questions about gambling and information on internet games that allow players to bet real money. Youth won prizes for correct answers.

Speaking/Events

July 7: This Facilitator attended a Reggie’s Sleepout meeting in Des Moines.

July 14: This Facilitator attended a ROC meeting at the Boone Livery to coordinate a project to decorate boxes for sock donations in the community.

July 19: This Facilitator attended a TYI (Transition Youth Initiative) meeting at DHS Riverplace in Des Moines.

August 2011

Council Meetings:

August 11: Jennifer Sonner and Kelsey Leighton from Closets Collide, an ISU student organization, told nineteen youth about their group and taught them how to make something new from old T-Shirts! These new items will be donated to the Rural Homeless Youth Project and included as donations in their laundry basket project.

August 25: Twenty-one youth attended a barbeque supper at Hobbit’s Hill (George Belitsos’ personal residence) and enjoyed food from Hickory Park, a tour of George’s garden and feeding llamas and pigmy goats. A group of youth were selected to participate in an interview with Krys Lange from the Children’s Justice Initiative and asked about their experiences in court. Krys will use these quotes in a handbook for teens on the juvenile court system being released this fall. She also received feedback from AMP youth on a new comic book designed for pre-teens that explains the juvenile court process for youth in foster care.

Speaking/Events

August 2: This Facilitator attended a ROC meeting at the Boone Livery.

August 4: This Facilitator attended a Reggie’s Sleepout meeting in Des Moines.

August 8: This Facilitator and one youth attended a meeting to plan the conference on Human Trafficking scheduled for October 26th in Ames.

27 August 10: This Facilitator, YSS CEO George Belitsos, and two youth attended a forum at DHS Riverplace in Des Moines to present the AMP program to a panel of DHS board members. One youth spoke about her experiences with AMP.

August 11: Three youth filled 200 backpacks for all ages of students, including college, returning to Ames schools and ISU.

August 13: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and twelve youth attended the Republican Straw Poll in Ames. Youth spoke to several candidates and encouraged them to take an interest in youth issues.

August 16: This Facilitator and Program Coordinator attended a statewide Facilitator/agency provider meeting at the Family Life Center in Ames. Simultaneously, eight youth received AMP Elite training and participated in a photo session for new pictures for brochures/print material.

August 17: This Facilitator was interviewed on a radio show in Ames called, “Mel in the Morning.”

August 27: Bambi Schrader and two AMP youth participated in a KidsNet event in Waterloo, IA.

September 2011

Council Meetings

September 8: Erin Kennedy presented on Substance Abuse Prevention to sixteen youth who had several comments how they and their friends face opportunities on a daily basis to use drugs or alcohol. Our education/vocational topic this quarter was Frugal Living, ways to save money on everything you need. Youth shared personal experiences on how they save money now and talked about the need to save more when they live on their own.

September 22: Twenty-four youth attended a celebration at the Boone DMACC campus for National Addiction Recovery Month. Two youth helped serve free walking tacos, and then all youth listened to guest speaker Denise Denton as she talked about "Addiction and how it gets that way."

Speaking/Events

September 1: This Facilitator attended a meeting at ISU with the ISU Student Human Trafficking Committee to plan the documentary movie showing and the upcoming conference.

September 9 and 10: This Facilitator and five youth attended the retreat at the Boone Y Camp. The Casey Foundation provided training on adults and youth working together as a team.

September 12: This Facilitator attended the Juvenile Justice meeting and YSS Legislative Committee meetings at Pizza Ranch in Ames.

September 14: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and six youth attended the open house for the lower level of the Family Life Center.

September 15: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and three youth attended the premiere of the human trafficking documentary, “Sex and Money…A National Search for Human Worth.” Brittany Phillips, Ames AMP member, spoke of her experiences as a victim of human trafficking to hundreds of ISU students and faculty in the Memorial Union.

28 October 2011

Council Meetings

October 13: Tina Hopkins and Ashley Linduski presented “Let’s Talk,” an informational program on pregnancy prevention and the risks to teens who are sexually active. Twenty-one youth participated in group activities that created a visual of the risks a person takes that has multiple sexual partners. Teens tested their knowledge on sexual diseases and the symptoms people have that lead to medical attention.

October 27: Rick Morrison and Ursula Ruedenberg from KHOI radio told twenty-one youth about their new project that involves AMP youth interviewing community members for a radio show, and then editing the footage at the radio station before broadcast. ISU students, members of the Human Trafficking Committee, spoke about safe relationships through interactive games.

Speaking/Events

October 3: This Facilitator and the Education/Vocation Specialist traveled to Sioux City to teach three youth in New Member training.

October 10: This Facilitator attended the Juvenile Justice/YSS Legislative Committee meeting at Pizza Ranch in Ames.

October 13: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and Education/Vocation Specialist attended the Education Collaborative meeting at the Historical Building in Des Moines.

October 18: The Program Coordinator met with the ISU Athletic Department on accessing tickets, tours, and athletes for presentations and community events.

October 19: This Facilitator and one youth attended a breakfast meeting with the Transitioning Youth Initiative members.

October 19: This Facilitator and two youth were on a panel speaking about the Permanency Blueprint to participants of a workshop at the Coalition Conference in Des Moines.

October 25: This Facilitator and three youth spoke to the YSS Board telling them their personal stories and about the AMP program.

October 26: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and one youth participated on a panel and attended the Human Trafficking Conference. Three other youth wrote poetry about their experiences as victims of human trafficking and their poetry was displayed on easels during the conference.

October 29: This Facilitator, Education/Vocation Specialist, and several youth attended Reggie’s Sleepout at Drake football stadium in Des Moines. AMP youth constructed a box entry and won first place in the education category.

November 2011

Council Meetings

November 10: Twenty-six youth listened to Derek from Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Iowa present training on how to protect yourself so you don’t become a victim of identity theft and how to clear 29 your credit history if someone has stolen your identity. Identity theft is a large problem for youth today and often the people stealing it are parents or relatives.

November 24: Ames AMP did not meet because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Speaking/Events

November 2: The Program Coordinator attended an YSS staff meeting for groups who work with Boone families in Boone.

November 3: This Facilitator attended the YSS LGBTQ meeting in Ames.

November 4: This Facilitator and one youth spoke to the Ames Kiwanis Club about AMP. Youth told the group her personal story and why she’s being a member of AMP.

November 8: This Facilitator and Program Coordinator traveled to Marshalltown and provided training for their foster/adoptive parent support group and eight youth. This group would like to host an AMP Council in the future.

November 14: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and one youth presented to the Juvenile Justice Committee on the AMP program at Pizza Ranch in Ames. Afterwards, they attended the YSS Legislative Committee meeting.

November 15: This Facilitator and Program Coordinator attended the AMP Facilitator/agency providers meeting at the Family Life Center in Ames.

November 15: The Program Coordinator and two youth were greeters for the Thanksgiving Coffee at YSS in Ames.

November 18: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and Education/Vocation Specialist met to brainstorm our vision for AMP.

November 19: The Program Coordinator and three youth attended Adoption Saturday in Webster City.

November 21: This Facilitator and three youth presented their personal stories and information on the AMP program to the YSS Foundation Board in Ames.

December 2011

Council Meetings

December 8: Thirty-nine youth learned about the Iowa Caucuses from a Power Point presentation by five AMP members! Tom LaPointe from Every Child Matters spoke about the history of the Iowa Caucus, what’s the process, and how it works. The League of Women Voters helped youth register to vote; younger youth practiced for the future. Youth were split into two groups; one practiced a Republican caucus and the other a Democratic caucus.

December 22: Thirty-five youth attended the holiday party at Perfect Games in Ames and enjoyed pizza, soda, cookies, video games, laser tag, and bowling.

Speaking/Events 30 December 1 and 2: This Facilitator and one youth volunteered to accept Christmas gifts for clients that were delivered to the Family Life Center in Ames.

December 5: This Facilitator and three youth spoke to YSS donors at the Iris Tea Room in Boone. Youth told their personal stories and shared why they enjoyed being a member of AMP.

December 6: The Program Coordinator and two youth spoke to the Friends of Hamilton County, thanking them for their support.

December 7: The Program Coordinator and Education/Vocation Specialist met with Garin Buttermore about collaborating with the Tobacco Control Network.

December 8: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and eight youth attended the YSS holiday luncheon at the Gateway Hotel in Ames.

December 12: This Facilitator and Program Coordinator attended the Juvenile Justice/YSS Legislative Committee meetings.

December 13: The Program Coordinator and four youth spoke to the Nevada Friends of YSS, thanking them for their support.

December 14: This Facilitator and three youth attended a KidsNet Adoption Support meeting in Marshalltown.

December 22: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and five youth met with Christie Vilsack and other YSS treatment youth to share issues that affect youth legislatively as she runs for Congress. Mrs. Vilsack spoke about her new website and how it focused on youth issues.

December 22: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and thirty-five youth attended the holiday party at Perfect Games in Ames and enjoyed pizza, soda, cookies, video games, laser tag, and bowling.

December 28, 29, and 30: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and six youth participated in three conference calls to gather youth input on recruitment, vision, legislative issues, and human trafficking.

Cedar Rapids: Submitted by Ashley Mabrey

The Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Council originated as AMP on July 1, of 2011 with the first Council meeting taking place on July 7th. Children and Families of Iowa supported a similar group "Elevate" before July of 2011. This report covers June 2011 through December of 2011. During this reporting period, the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Council has met at least twice on a monthly basis. The Council continues to grow each month and currently has twenty registered members. Our attendance has ranged from nine to twenty-five attendees each month, with an average of eleven members at each Council meeting.

The Council Facilitator and her supervisor have reached out to several agencies to increase the visualization of AMP and also to increase efforts of fostering positive relationships with agencies that provide services or supports to foster and adopted youth. Four Oaks Adoption Support Workers, Foundation 2 Youth Shelter Staff, as well as the Department of Human Services Social Workers have all been informed about the time, location, and agenda of the AMP meetings during this reporting period. The Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Council meets every first and third Thursday of each month at the Four Oaks Bridge located on 1st Ave in Cedar Rapids. The Bridge is a local Human Services meeting space that hosts a variety of community events and informative meetings. 31 There are several different groups that support the Council each week. These groups are essential to the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Council's continued success. These volunteers provide a wide range of support to include; child care/crafts, activities, a meal or snack, as well as informative sessions on a variety of topics such as budgeting. Volunteers of the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Council come from a variety of sources such as Coe College, Junior League of Cedar Rapids, as well as the University of Iowa Social Work Student Association. There is also a foster parent support group that meets on the third Thursday of each month, at the same location that the AMP meetings are held. Foster Parents are able to allow the foster youth currently in their home to attend AMP meetings while they attend a supportive group as well. The Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Council is fortunate to have a strong community support system and are invited to and attend several events that support foster/adoptive youth.

The Council members recently attended a Christmas Holiday craft fair sponsored by Families Helping Families. The Council members had the opportunity to provide an ornament decorating station for foster and adoptive youth that attended the event. The youth could decorate Christmas tree ornaments to have in their foster or adoptive homes during the holidays. Council members also attended an Adoption Vigil in commemoration of National Adoption Month. Also, Sleepout for the Homeless was attended by the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Council members in support of homelessness awareness.

Council Meetings:

June 2: Approximately ten youth met to learn about constructive criticism as part of the Education/Vocation curriculum. The youth learned to accept and provide constructive criticism with both their peers and the adults in their lives.

June 16: Approximately ten youth met to celebrate the end of the school year and start of summer vacation with their peers.

July 7: Eleven youth met with Foundation 2 for the first time following the transfer of the contract. The youth were provided the opportunity to share what their expectations for AMP and the new Facilitator included. The youth also discussed being independent and did a phone book activity to help them learn to be more independent in their community.

July 21: Nine youth met to discuss rules for their Council that they would like to keep and new ones that they would like to add. The youth worked together to create an environment for meetings where they feel welcomed and safe to share their thoughts and opinions.

August 4: Ten youth met for New Member Orientation and to meet the new Council Facilitator for the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Chapter. The youth shared their journeys and also learned how to be positive community leaders. They also gathered and practiced the skills necessary to speak publicly in the community and during Council meetings.

August 18: Six youth met to discuss frugal living as part of the Education/Vocation curriculum. They learned that they can live frugally in all aspects of their lives and that these ways of living will assist them being able to remain self-reliant.

September 1: Fifteen youth met to continue on the theme of frugal living with saving and spending. They discussed how to choose a bank and know when to invest their money. They also participated in an activity where they learned what inexpensive food items could be substituted for more pricey beauty items.

32 September 15: Sixteen youth participated in an activity to help them learn about area resources that are both useful to them now and will prove more useful in the future. They were provided with the Linn County Resource Sheets and informed where they could access the updated versions of this information each year.

October 6: Eleven youth were present to meet our ongoing volunteers from Junior League of Cedar Rapids. At this meeting, Junior League began providing meals for the youth for all upcoming meetings. They also worked with the youth on what types of skills they would like to learn in upcoming meetings as well as ideas for how Junior League could help AMP fundraise with youth participation.

October 20: Twenty-five youth came to celebrate Halloween. They were able to spend some time socializing and watching a movie to get them into the Halloween spirit.

November 3: Thirteen youth participated in a cooking lesson from Junior League on making homemade fajitas, salsa, and shakes. Also present was a Linn County Social Worker II. The youth also learned that they could make a meal to feed twenty people with leftovers for fewer than 50 dollars...And at a much healthier calorie count than fast food.

November 17: Eleven youth and four members of the Social Work Student Administration at the University of Iowa met for another new member training. They were able to share their journeys and practice their public speaking skills as well as how to respond to uncomfortable or difficult questions.

December 1: Nine youth and three staff members from Coe College met to discuss happiness as part of the Education/Vocation curriculum. They also participated in an activity where they made holiday candy and treats that they then donated to local shelters in Cedar Rapids.

December 15: Thirteen youth were present for a Christmas party and dinner. The youth had the opportunity to listen to a local author read some of her books and then watched a holiday movie while socializing with their peers.

Speaking/Events:

August 17: Four AMP youth and the Facilitator spoke at the PS-MAPP class for approximately 16 foster parents in training, along with Parent Partners and Iowa KidsNet.

September 19: Two AMP youth and the Facilitator presented at the Linn County DHS large staff meeting for approximately thirty social worker IIs, social worker IIIs, and supervisors.

October 25: Four AMP youth sat on a panel with foster parents at a meeting with Senator Chuck Grassley where approximately fifty people were present.

October 26: Two AMP youth and the Facilitator presented at another PS-MAPP class to another twenty foster parents in training.

October 29: One AMP youth traveled to speak at the Latino Conference in Muscatine.

November 8: One AMP presented at the Junior League of Cedar Rapids monthly meeting and training on AMP and youth in foster care. Approximately twenty-five women were present.

November 8: One AMP youth presented at the Junior League of Cedar Rapids monthly meeting and training on AMP and youth in foster care. Approximately 25 women attended.

33 An approximated 250 hours has been spent with AMP youth over the past 6 months by two Facilitators, supervisors and countless volunteers.

Our Council youth report doing well in school and many of them have been able to stay within their community. A few members are working toward their college degrees and many of the rest express interest and desire to continue their education post high school.

Cedar Rapids and Iowa City AMP youth are benefiting from the opportunities to expand their community connections and share their side of the story with those who make life-altering decisions for them. AMP youth meet a minimum of twice monthly to get away from their daily pressures and share in support and encouragement of one another. AMP youth have the opportunity to create lasting friendships and develop the skills necessary to be community leaders.

Cherokee: Submitted by Mary Elks

In October, Daedra Collins, AMP Council Facilitator, began a new full time job and felt she could no longer continue as Council Facilitator, although she had a change of heart and tried to make it work. After one month, Daedra decided it would not work with her new position and resigned as Council Facilitator in December 2011. At this time, Children’s Square is conducting interviews and should have a new Facilitator hired by mid or late January 2012.

Date your Council began: July 1, 2011

Period of time this report covers: July 2011-December 2011

Unsure of registered members, she had a total of 18 different signatures.

We had an average of four teens attending our lowest was two and highest was eight.

I don’t know of any reaching out she did to local agencies in the area.

Meetings were held on the second and fourth Mondays from 6:30-8:30 at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church.

We had local restaurants help with food on a couple of occasions and we even met at a restaurant for one meeting.

July 11 — Eight attendees-discussed concerns about new changes.

August 8 — Five attendees and visitors from the Sioux City Council came. Ruth Buckels gave a presentation.

August 22 — Two attendees pre-test for Frugal living, discussion, and post-test. Trip to Hy-Vee for “frugal” budget friendly meal for under $10.00.

September 12 — Five attendees-Crystal Price from LSI, spoke about “Pregnancy Prevention”

September 26 — Two attendees-AMP Program Overview and goals for New Members.

October 24 — Five attendees, two of which are new. Kids told their stories and the impact they can have on change. 34 November 14 — Five attendees — Had a veteran member discuss her journey!

December 12 — Two attendees — discussed Council ending, Christmas party and reminder of youth transition activity in January.

Council Bluffs: Submitted by Joni Griffin

The Council Bluffs Elevate Chapter was founded in 2009 and has been formally meeting twice a month since. During the reporting period of July 2011 through December 2011, the Council Bluffs Chapter has held 12 meetings. The group has 109 registered members and averages 17.4 members per meeting. The lowest attendance during this reporting period was nine and the highest was thirty-one. We are happy as a chapter to have met our goal of significantly increasing overall numbers and specifically increasing the number of youth under the age of 18. The younger members have certainly added a new zest to our meetings and events! Though busy with jobs, school, and families, our older youth remain strong role models for younger youth. They continue to serve as a base for the advocacy and public speaking roles while several younger and newer members are getting their feet wet with speaking engagements for which AMP is invited in our community. The Council Bluffs chapter meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at the Micah House Homeless Shelter at 1415 Avenue J, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Activities

Council Bluffs AMP youth have lent their voices to important community assessments on the status of youth in this period. They completed surveys for the Human Services Advisory Council on youth homelessness. They also completed a survey on youth opinions about resources in their community for Promise Partners who assessed this information in conjunction with the Iowa West Foundation. Some of our youth have continued participation on some committees in our community in this period. We have remained connected to the local CPPC, Iowa Youth Dream Teams, Family Team Meeting Services, the Human Services Advisory Council, and the Youth and Families Subcommittee. We have added the Kids First group to our committee attendance. However, youth participation in these committees has fluctuated a great deal. Our older youth have become much more job committed and our newer younger youth are in school when most of these meetings occur. When it is possible, attendance is still encouraged and incentives are offered for such leadership roles. This is an area that we would like to see enhancement for our chapter in the new coming year. AMP has continued to partner with the local IFAPA foster parent support groups and Kids Net for activities. Of course, our new linkage with supervising / partnering agency Children’s Square USA has been a terrific connection for AMP. In particular, this has led to an increase in the ability of youth at Children’s Square shelter and PMIC to attend AMP meetings and events. It is clear that this linkage will lead to great new opportunities for youth.

How AMP Youth benefit from being members:

AMP youth benefit from being members by the sense of “family” that many feel. Being part of a group where every member already knows “where you’re coming from” is a significant factor for these youth. Sometimes a youth currently in care might feel a little lost when they are new to their school, new to their foster home, and new to everything around them. But when they arrive at an AMP meeting, they are immediately welcomed and the conversation is familiar. They begin to realize that they are not living in isolation, that all of these new peers have similar stories… know what this youth is going through. Bonds are developed. They soon are offered some kind of leadership role, even if it is as small as handing out the papers, or helping clean up. They become a member immediately, and a part of the family. In our Council Bluffs Council, many youth have become friends outside of our meeting and arrange activities together. Some have become roommates. Older youth have helped each other with housing, jobs, and utilizing community resources. In addition to gaining this new family, AMP members benefit from the educational topics presented at our meetings. Learning things 35 like how to fill out a job application, how to conduct yourself on a job interview, how to look for an apartment, how to create a budget…these are all life skills that are invaluable.

How much time is spent with youth?

The time I spend with youth as a Facilitator varies widely each week. Of course, each AMP meeting is two hours long. As a Facilitator, I spend about one hour before and after each meeting transporting youth and gathering needed materials for our meal. Speaking engagements and community events might take between one hour and 8 hours. Some events such as leadership retreats, Reggie’s Sleepout, or other overnights events clearly may have my time spent with youth up to a 48-hour stretch. Throughout the weeks between meetings I spend about an average of two hours per week on the phone with AMP members. Many youth call for assistance with problem solving, especially those who are out on their own. I spend on average one to two hours per week face-to-face with individual AMP members also assisting with things such as taking a youth to the food pantry, to a job interview, or supporting a youth at court. These are all informal contacts arranged by need and request of the youth. I also see many of the AMP youth in the capacity of being their aftercare self- sufficiency advocate or having provided a dream team for them with Iowa Youth Dream Teams. Although technically this program contracts Facilitators for ten hours of work per week, it is no secret that more hours are devoted to this labor of love. Speaking for myself, and I believe all Facilitators and everyone in this program……..it is all about the youth.

Chapter Meetings

July 2011

July 5: Nine youth attended our first official AMP meeting since becoming AMP instead of Elevate. In the spirit of renewal and future oriented thinking, youth learned to write personal goals and created a time capsule to open in one year at our AMP anniversary.

July 19: Ten youth welcomed speaker Crystal Price with Child Welfare Services and Lutheran Social Services of Denison. Our speaker was recruited and invited by one of our AMP youth who met Crystal while networking at the Risky Business Conference in Ames. Crystal talked to our group about healthy relationships.

Speaking/Events

July 12: One staff attended the Promise Partners Planning Committee Meeting.

August 2011

Chapter Meetings

August 2: Ten youth enjoyed having guest speaker Heidi Guggisberg-Conners talk to us about job seeking. Heidi is a motivational speaker with experience working with youth in the college and job preparation fields. Heidi came to become involved with AMP after being impressed by youth speaking at her PS-MAPP training. She has since become a foster parent and brought teens to our AMP meetings.

August 15: Seventeen youth met and enjoyed having our meeting at the park while roasting hotdogs and burgers. This meeting was casual and just for fun. Group did planning for upcoming New Member Training.

Speaking/Events

August 13: One youth attended the Straw Polls in Ames on behalf of AMP and foster youth. 36 August 16: Two youth attended the AMP elite meeting in Ames. This is a select group of youth participating in training to represent AMP and speak on behalf of youth while traveling to meet this need. One staff attended quarterly AMP meeting held concurrently.

August 19: One staff attended the Promise Partners Planning Committee meeting.

August 26: One staff attended the Council Bluffs Transition Committee meeting on behalf of AMP.

August 27: Fifteen youth and four staff went to Adventureland on the IFAPA Foster Parent Appreciation Day.

August 30: Three youth and one staff spoke at a PS-MAPP training at Iowa Western Community College. There were approximately 20 audience members.

August 31: One staff attended the Promise Partners Board Meeting.

September 2011

Chapter Meetings

September 6: Twenty0eight youth welcomed Ruth and Cheryl to our Chapter meeting and participated in an AMP New Member Training. Of these twenty-eight, twenty-five had never participated in an Elevate New Member training and were completely new to this training.

September 20: Seventeen youth attended AMP and shared tips for frugal living while reviewing materials provided by Cheryl. The wide variety of ages and experiences made this a lively and fruitful discussion for all.

Speaking/Events

September 9 and 10: Six youth and two staff attended AMP leadership retreat in Boone.

September 14: One staff and one youth visited with Judge Kilnowski about issues faced by youth in the court system and educating the workers in the court system about AMP.

September 16: One staff attended the Promise Partners Planning Committee meeting.

September 28: One staff attended the Promise Partners Governance Board meeting.

September 30: One staff attended the Transition Committee Meeting on behalf of AMP.

October 2011

Chapter Meetings

October 11: Twenty-two youth met in the park for our AMP meeting and enjoyed an evening of socializing, networking, discussion around the campfire with marshmallows and hot cocoa. Older member youth taught newer member youth about Reggie’s Sleepout and why participation supports homeless youth in Iowa.

October 18: Eleven youth participated in our meeting tonight to finalize plans for participation in Reggie’s Sleepout. Two youth in particular went above and beyond in attempts at fundraising for this event.

37 Speaking/Events

October 5: One staff spoke to the Decat board meeting for Harrison, Monona, and Shelby Counties about possibly providing AMP remote meetings to their area.

October 19: One staff attended the Promise Partners Result Based Accountability training on behalf of AMP.

October 21: One staff attended the Promise Partners Planning Committee meeting.

October 26: One staff attended the Promise Partners Board Meeting.

October 29: Ten youth and two staff attended Reggie’s Sleepout in Des Moines.

November 2011

Chapter Meetings

November 1: Fourteen youth discussed impressions of having participated in Reggie’s Sleepout and what they learned about youth homelessness. We also began our new educational topic and shared thoughts on “choosing happiness.”

November 15: Twenty-five youth attended our Thanksgiving Potluck meeting. We welcomed guest Pastor Dave Smith who spoke to us about “choosing happiness” in our lives. We also heard from guest Ejay Jack about a new program coming to Council Bluffs in February for guys only that will focus on issues related to healthy relationships.

Speaking/Events

November 10: Three youth spoke at a candlelight vigil in Council Bluffs to draw attention to importance of adoption and permanence for children. AMP was asked by Kids Net to provide youth speakers to speak, read a poem, or do something creative for this event. There were approximately 20 audience members at this event.

November 11: Two youth spoke at a candlelight vigil in Glenwood to draw attention to importance of adoption and permanence for children. AMP was asked by Kids Net to provide youth speakers to speak, read a poem, or do something creative for this event. There were approximately 5 audience members at this event.

November 12: Three youth spoke at PS-MAPP training at Iowa Western Community College. Our youth were stunningly effective at eliciting wonderful questions from the audience and giving awesome youth advice to upcoming new foster parents. There were approximately 15 audience members at this event.

November 18: One staff attended the Kids First meeting. AMP was invited to have a presence and give an overview of our program at this meeting following our meeting with Judge Kilnowski in September. This meeting was focused on youth needs in the court system and was attended by several court related workers.

November 18: One staff attended the Promise Partners Planning Committee meeting and presented on the progress and growth of AMP.

November 19: Four youth attended National Adoption Day celebration at the Council Bluffs Courthouse.

November 19: Four youth attended and helped serve a community Thanksgiving dinner at Cross Roads Community Church in Council Bluffs. 38 November 30: One staff attended the Promise Partners Governance Board meeting and presented on the progress and growth of AMP.

December 2011

Chapter Meetings

December 6: Fifteen youth attended AMP and planned out final holiday party plans. Brainstorming, problem solving, negotiation, task assigning, and volunteering skills were all put to use.

December 17: Thirty-one youth attended our AMP holiday party which doubled as our second meeting. A good time was had by all with gift drawings, karaoke, dancing, pizza, and an overload of cookies!

Speaking/Events

December 2: One staff attended DHS transition meeting on behalf of AMP.

December 5: One staff attended Decat meeting in Clarinda Iowa on behalf of AMP to discuss possibility of future AMP remote site meetings in Page, Fremont, or Taylor Counties.

December 7: One staff attended grant signing ceremony for Promise Partners Community Network Grant on behalf of AMP.

December 17: Thirty-one youth attended the annual AMP holiday party.

Davenport: Submitted by Kim Arnold

 Date your Council began.

July 1, 2011 was when our Council got off to a great start with our first meeting on July 14, 2011.

 Period of time this report covers.

This current reporting period is from July 1, 2011 — December 31, 2011

 How many registered members?

93

 Average number of teens who attend your Council meetings.

Average attendance is 19 youth.

 Lowest and highest attendance.

Our averages of high attendances are 30 youth and low average of 13 youth.

 Reaches out to local shelters, drug treatment facilities, group homes, or residential treatment centers.

39 Family Resources, Inc. — Residential Treatment

Scott County Kids — Youth Panel

Allateen — Youth affected by alcohol

Iowa Youth Dream Team — Goal Assistances

Community Partnerships for Protecting Children

 Where your Council meets and time it’s held.

Our Council meetings are held within Family Resources at Cottage 10; this meeting is on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month.

 Are there other activities that support your meetings?

On January 24 a select few students will travel to Des Moines for Out Day on the Capitol Hill. Recently, our Council has been able to acquire suitcases for youth who are aging out and will continue to put together suitcases in the future. Youth also went up to Boone, Iowa for a retreat.

 Any other community groups that your Council reaches out to?

Our Council is making strong efforts to engage various agencies, to allow our youth to be more involved in their community.

 Description of both Council meetings offered each month

July 14 — Kick off/start of AMP for Davenport area — 30 youth

July 28 — Relaxation Techniques (meditation-guest speaker) — 17 students

August 11 — Detective from Scott County Sheriff’s Department on safety and personal responsibility — 22 youth

August 25, — Frugal Living — 17 youth

September 8 — Healthy Relationships from Edgerton Women’s Health Center — 13 youth

September 22 — Jim Casey Activity and Retreat Discussion — 15 youth

October 13 — Angela Reyes — Guardian Ad Litem — 15 youth

October 27 — Libbet Brooke on Birth Control — 16 youth

November 10 — Bullying/Racism (open conversation-guest speaker) — 16 youth

December 15 — Allateen Support Group (youth affected by alcohol-guest speaker) — 22 youth

December 20 — Holiday Party (cookie decorating) — 27 youth

40  List speaking events and community appearances beginning with dates and description of each event. List number of people in your audience.

Scott County Youth Panel (5 people)

Rem Iowa (3 people)

Mary Crest Apartment Complex (10 people)

Scott Community College (3 people)

 Estimate the time you have spent with youth during this six months; this includes transport time, meetings and events.

20 hours+ per month

 How your youth benefitted from being in AMP?

Our youth continue to learn new life skills that affect their ways to communicate with various organizations with-in and out of their living areas.

 We want to begin gathering data on youth who aren’t on track educationally. Can you report on your Council and the barriers/struggles that your youth have with their education. (Credits that didn’t transfer, graduation requirements are different, not assessed at new school, put in special education, record transfers etc.)

At this time there have been no reported areas, unless they are looking for additional financial supports outside of Iowa.

Des Moines: Submitted by Terri Bailey

The Des Moines Council was first formed in August, 2005. It has met regularly since its inception. During this reporting period, July 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011, twelve Council meetings have been held. The group has ninety-seven registered members and averages 22 youth for Council meetings. Our lowest attendance during this reporting period was 17 and the highest was 27 for a regular meeting. This Council reaches out to two residential treatment centers: Farrand House and 1011 House.

The Des Moines Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at DHS Riverplace, 2309 Euclid Ave. in Des Moines. Parent/Kinship support and training groups occur simultaneously but no childcare is offered onsite. Our new meeting site accommodates our growing group and youth can access the metro bus to attend. The convenience of being closer to DHS workers, services, and community groups housed in this facility (CPPC and Parent Partners) makes it easier for youth to attend CPPC meetings which are on the same night as AMP.

Des Moines AMP youth are represented on several committees within the child welfare system including, Reggie’s Sleepout, Iowa Youth Dream Team, Education Collaborative, Juvenile Justice Initiative, Transition to Adulthood and Community Partnership for Protecting Children (CPPC). This Facilitator maintains the AMP website, Facebook page, serves as Assistant Coordinator, trainer/assistant for the HALO Mentoring Project and AMP trainings as well as participates on several local projects and committees.

41 One of these projects is working with the Iowa Foster Adoptive Parents Association (IFAPA) to create a training for foster parents and youth called, “Get It Right.” This guidebook was created by the AMP Central Council as an educational tool for youth to help them understand the Child Welfare/Juvenile Justice Systems and use as resource while they were in care. When looking at the current rights for foster youth in the foster parent handbook, it was clear that they needed to be updated. Working in collaboration with the Department of Human Services Policy staff, revisions will begin in the winter of 2012 and training will begin at the IFAPA statewide conference in the spring. It is our goal to create a conversation between youth and adults that fosters respect, belonging, acceptance, and permanency.

This Council is supported by several local community members such as: The Crown Club, Young Professionals Connection, Evangelical Free Church, Hope Lutheran Church, Grimes United Methodist Church, and ITA Group. These members donate snacks for AMP Council meetings, make boxes of supplies for aging out youth, offer use of their facilities for AMP events and meetings, print thank you cards, donate funds for the Christmas party, provided guest speakers and activities for Council meetings.

July 2011

Council Meetings

July 5: Drake Law students presented a program on legal topics and how they relate to teens. Eighteen youth struggled with team building exercises that were based on their communication skills. Are you an explainer, messenger, or a builder? Youth tried to build a structure out of Lego’s using only verbal commands to team mates.

July 18: New AMP colors, logo, and brochure were introduced to the group. Twenty-two youth watched a Lifetime movie called, “Fat Like Me.” A high school athlete learns an important lesson in reserving judgment after suffering a sports injury that blows her chance for a scholarship, and filming a documentary about what it's like to be fat. Discussion after the movie focused on acceptance, empathy, and tolerance of others.

Speaking/Events

July 7: This Facilitator attended a Reggie’s Sleepout meeting in Des Moines.

July 13: This Facilitator and five youth attended the Moulton School event, partnering with CPPC in a school fair to support youth in the community.

July 21: This Facilitator met with Pastor Rose from Cornerstone Church in Des Moines as a means to reach out to foster/adoptive youth that attend this church.

July 19: This Facilitator attended a TYI (Transition Youth Initiative) meeting at DHS Riverplace in Des Moines.

August 2011

Council Meetings

August 2: Seventeen youth got their first look at the new AMP website. Members brainstormed a catchy name for our suitcase project and came up with “Suitcases for Success.” Youth practiced working as a team in a series of fun games to improve their skills in working with others to achieve a common goal. Activities stressed communication and problem solving skills.

42 August 16: Twenty-six youth generated several suggestions for legislative ideas for the 2012 Legislative agenda. Our guest speaker did not show up so we watched the Elevate permanency video and poetry the youth wrote. I encouraged the youth to continue to write poetry that we can post on the AMP website.

Speaking/Events

August 1: This Facilitator and two youth spoke with new foster parents at a PS/MAPP class in Ankeny.

August 4: This Facilitator attended a Reggie’s Sleepout meeting in Des Moines.

August 10: This Facilitator, YSS CEO George Belitsos, and two youth attended a forum at DHS Riverplace in Des Moines to present the AMP program to a panel of DHS board members. One youth spoke about her experiences with AMP.

August 10: The Education/Vocation Specialist and two youth presented their personal stories to Hope Drama Troupe in Des Moines. Troupe members will use these stories to create their skits which educate the public on child abuse.

August 13: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator and twelve youth attended the Republican Straw Poll in Ames. Youth spoke to several candidates and encouraged them to take an interest in youth issues.

August 16: This Facilitator and Program Coordinator attended a statewide Facilitator/agency provider meeting at the Family Life Center in Ames. Simultaneously, eight youth received AMP Elite training and participated in a photo session for new pictures for brochures/print material.

August 17: This Facilitator and two youth attended an Aftercare picnic at Gray’s Lake in Des Moines to meet Aftercare youth and encourage them to come to AMP Council meetings.

August 18: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator and education specialist met with Gail Barber and Krys Lange to preview their new Children’s Justice Project, a book for teens about the juvenile court system.

August 20: This Facilitator and two youth attended the Sidewalk Chalk Flood sponsored by Community Youth Concepts (CYC).

August 29: This Facilitator and five youth presented to third year law students at the Drake Legal Clinic to educate them on working with youth in juvenile court cases. Youth answered questions and stressed building a relationship with their clients.

August 30: This Facilitator and three youth spoke with new foster parents at PS/MAPP class in Ankeny about the AMP program and told their personal stories of entering foster care.

September 2011

Council Meetings

September 6: Twenty-seven youth learned about Frugal Living, lots of tips on how to save money clothing, car expenses/ gas, medical expenses, entertainment, cook and eat cheap plus much more. Older youth told their personal experiences of living on their own and ways they save money. Frugal Living games.

September 20: Krystine Lange from Iowa Children’s Justice returned from an earlier meeting with the finished comic books created to inform youth ages 8-12 on the court system in Iowa. She had a new project to show 43 AMP youth and wanted to review the contents of the next book plus get our suggestions. Jennifer Sonner and Kelsey Leighton from Closets Collide, an ISU student organization, told members about their group and taught us how to make scarves and tote bags from old T-Shirts! These new items will be donated to the Rural Homeless Youth Project and included as donations in their laundry basket project.

Speaking/Events

September 9 and 10: This Facilitator and five youth attended the retreat at the Boone Y Camp. The Casey Foundation provided training on adults and youth working together as a team.

September 12: This Facilitator attended a Transitioning Youth Initiative meeting at DHS Riverplace in Des Moines.

September 15: This Facilitator and four youth partnered with InSight on a park beautification project at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines. After clean-up efforts, the group played games and barbequed hamburgers.

September 15: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and three youth attended the premiere of the human trafficking documentary, “Sex and Money…A National Search For Human Worth.” Brittany Phillips, Ames AMP member, spoke of her experiences as a victim of human trafficking to hundreds of ISU students and faculty in the Memorial Union.

September 26: This Facilitator and two youth spoke to a DMACC class in West Des Moines about the AMP program and their personal stories with the foster care system.

September 27: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, Education/Vocation Specialist, and several youth attend the CFI Apartment Makeover celebration dinner at Aldersgate Church in Urbandale.

October 2011

Council Meetings

October 4: October was Domestic Violence Month. Twenty-one youth watched a Lifetime movie called “Reviving Ophelia” which was about a female teen being abused by her boyfriend. After the movie, there was discussion and Amanda Lynam from Children and Families of Iowa discussed safety planning in relationships, dating violence, how to help a friend and local resources for youth.

October 18: Twenty-one youth listened to speeches of members who were interested in becoming an AMP-CC member, and then participated in elections. Youth came to the meeting in costumes for Halloween, played games, and enjoyed frightening food made by a youth member and volunteers from Grimes Methodist Church. This party was planned by a youth, Melissa Rote, and she spent two hours decorating before the meeting. Liz James was back from Drake to teach us more about the law. Tonight’s topic was youth rights at school when it comes to locker searches.

Speaking/Events

October 3: This Facilitator and the Education/Vocation Specialist traveled to Sioux City to teach three youth in New Member training.

44 October 5: This Facilitator and one youth traveled to Ames to participate in a legislative training sponsored by Every Child Matters. This youth, John Bivans, was inspired to teach Des Moines AMP youth about the Iowa caucuses.

October 13: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and Education/Vocation Specialist attended the Education Collaborative meeting at the Historical Building in Des Moines.

October 14: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and Education/Vocation Specialist met with Brent Pattison from the Drake Middleton Center for Children and introduced him to AMP’s legislative ideas generated by youth statewide.

October 19: This Facilitator and one youth attended a breakfast meeting with the Transitioning Youth Initiative members.

October 20: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and one youth spoke with Coalition Conference attendees as they visited the YSS information table at the Coalition Conference in Des Moines.

October 26: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator and one youth participated on a panel and attended the Human Trafficking Conference. Three other youth wrote poetry about their experiences as victims of human trafficking and their poetry was displayed on easels during the conference.

October 29: This Facilitator, Education/Vocation Specialist, and several youth attended Reggie’s Sleepout at Drake football stadium in Des Moines. AMP youth constructed a box entry and won first place in the education category.

November 2011

Council Meetings

November 1: Twenty-one youth listened to Tony LaRosa from Mid-Iowa Credit Counseling present a training on how to protect yourself so you don’t become a victim of Identity Theft and how to clear your credit history if someone has stolen your identity. Identity Theft is a large problem for youth today and often the people stealing it are parents or relatives. Terri Bailey presented information on the Human Trafficking Conference in Ames.

November 15: Twenty youth enjoyed the education/vocation topic: Take responsibility for your own life and your own happiness! The group learned helpful tips through interactive games and they were encouraged to create the life that you want.

Speaking/Events

November 3: This Facilitator and three youth spoke with new foster parents at PS/MAPP class in Ankeny about the AMP program and told their personal stories of entering foster care.

November 12: This Facilitator and five youth volunteered at the Convoy of Hope by sacking groceries to feed needy families.

November 15: This Facilitator and Program Coordinator attended the AMP Facilitator/agency providers meeting at the Family Life Center in Ames.

45 November 18: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and Education/Vocation Specialist met to brainstorm our vision for AMP.

November 19: This Facilitator, Education/Vocation Specialist, and two youth attended Adoption Saturday in Des Moines.

46 December 2011

Council Meetings

December 6: Seventeen youth learned about the Iowa Caucuses from a power point presentation by AMP member John Bivans. Tom LaPointe from Every Child Matters spoke about the history of the Iowa Caucus, what’s the process, and how it works. The League of Women Voters helped youth register to vote, younger youth practiced for the future. Youth were split into two groups; one practiced a Republican caucus and the other a Democratic caucus.

December 20: Twenty-seven youth enjoyed a holiday party at Incredible Pizza sponsored by the Crowns Club of Des Moines. Each youth played video games, unlimited attractions and received a gift from the Crowns Club.

Speaking/Events

December 6: This Facilitator and the Education/Vocation Specialist attend a SYIAC meeting at the state capital and offered to collaborate on legislative issues.

December 7: This Facilitator and one youth spoke with new DHS social workers at the Hoover building in Des Moines. The AMP youth told his personal story and what AMP means to him.

December 8: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and two youth attended the YSS holiday luncheon at the Gateway Hotel in Ames.

December 14: This Facilitator attended the Permanency Subcommittee meeting at the Lucas building in Des Moines.

December 22: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and two youth met with Christie Vilsack and other YSS treatment youth to share issues that affect youth legislatively as she runs for Congress. Mrs. Vilsack spoke about her new website and how it focused on youth issues. The Des Moines AMP youth told his story of being bullied because of his sexual orientation.

December 28, 29, and 30: This Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and six youth participated in three conference calls to gather youth input on recruitment, vision, legislative issues, and human trafficking.

Dubuque: Submitted by Jill Kluesner and Amanda Dellwo

Dubuque Council was founded in April 2008. The group has met twice per month since the beginning and continues in this pattern today. During the reporting period of July through December 2011, the Dubuque Council held nine meetings. The group has nine registered members and averages around five youth per meeting. The lowest attendance we registered during this reporting period was two and the highest was ten. Currently, our consistently engaged youth are between the ages of 13 and 18 and are in a foster home. Many of our older youth, who were once involved with our group in previous years, have aged out of the system, and are not currently involved due to school, employment, and/or family conflicts. Dubuque AMP Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 6-8 p.m. at the Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Ave, Dubuque.

All meetings begin with snacks, then a gathering to socialize, the sharing of highs and lows, and then into the meeting’s program, with announcements and reminders completing the agenda. During the past six months, 47 Dubuque AMP meetings have provided activities and conversations in team-building, appropriate expectations, self-esteem, happiness, conflict resolution, personal growth, gratitude/thanksgiving, personal goal planning, and arts and crafts projects. Each meeting offers time for youth to share openly the successes and triumphs, and the challenges and barriers they are facing in their lives through peer and team support.

Youth have worked on building their hard and soft skills, being successful in education, and preparing for their adulthood transitions and their futures. The youth have enjoyed doing hands-on work. We have completed arts and crafts activities as part of our ice breakers, decorating pumpkins for Halloween, making pictures and letters about what we are thankful for, making Holiday ornaments, and making thank you cards for the Secret Santa’s at the Farm Service Agency. Most Council members rely on AMP for personal support and report that it they feel support by our Council. They have shared that they are thankful for this Council and the staff for being a support in their lives. Youth have shared that the Council is a fun, social, and informative group that benefits their lives and what they want to do in their futures.

The Dubuque Facilitator has spent approximately 120 hours working with AMP both directly and indirectly, and approximately 50 hours directly with the youth. This Council reaches out to local foster homes, service providers, shelters, schools, and one residential treatment center.

This Council also receives support and reaches out to community groups such as the Community Circle of Care, the Multicultural Family Center, Downtown Dubuque Christian Outreach (DDCO), Orange Park Neighbors (the Washington Neighborhood Association), the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Farm Service Agency, Lutheran Services in Iowa, and Four Oaks. This support has strengthened the Dubuque Council by providing a meeting location and supplies, assisting with funding for our ten Secret Santa Holiday present giveaway, as well as providing funding for upcoming activities, projects, and programs for the youth. Staff is meeting local people from various churches and community programs that will offer our youth resources for the future.

July 2011

Lindsey Reiter until mid-July (meeting 1) and Jill Kluesner (served as the interim Facilitator mid-July to Sept.)

Council Meetings:

July 12: 7 youth met to discuss end of summer celebration

July 26: No youth meeting

Speaking/Events:

July 9: 3rd Annual Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk-6 AMP youth volunteered and 1 AMP staff member worked event.

August 2011

Jill Kluesner served as the interim Facilitator

Council Meetings:

August 9: 7 youth met. We discussed new transition from previous Facilitator to new Facilitator and addressed concerns of youth in regards to their old Facilitator leaving.

48 August 23: 4 youth met. We discussed the hiring of the new Facilitator, identified youth to be available for interview, and again revisited any concerns about transition process.

Speaking/Events:

None to report

September 2011

Council Meetings:

September 13: No meeting

Amanda Dellwo was hired as the Dubuque AMP Facilitator

September 27: Six youth met and we started building new relationships as this was Amanda’s first meeting. We completed activities to help get to know one another and then explored our AMP expectations, and projects/idea to come in future meetings/events. This meeting was focused on getting input from youth regarding what they want to do and what they want to make happen with AMP.

Speaking/Events:

AMP Leadership Retreat (August): 2 AMP youth attended and 2 AMP support staff

September 20: Orange Park Neighbors Meeting — staff participated

October 2011

Council Meetings:

October 11: Two youth met to continue the conversation about activities and programs they wanted to incorporate and plan for AMP. Diana Painter with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque shared information about the Opportunity Passport Program and explored with the youth how this program could be both educationally and financially beneficial to their lives.

October 25: Six youth met to explore the history of AMP with Ruth Buckels and Cheryl Johnson. Together the guest presenters, staff, and youth discussed how AMP came to be and how to make the Dubuque Council better through ideas, projects, and activities to come. Youth and staff then celebrated Halloween by decorating pumpkins, describing our costumes, and sharing stories of Halloween traditions and upcoming plans. Youth made holiday wish lists for presents they would like to receive for the Farm Service Agency agreed to be our Secret Santa by providing presents to all Dubuque AMP Council members.

Speaking/Events:

October 3: DDCO meeting — staff participated

October 18: Orange Park Neighbors meeting — staff participated

October 28: Opportunity Passport Training — one youth participated

49 November 2011

Council Meetings

November 8: Three youth met to explore happiness, self-respect/love, and person choices. Youth and staff shared experiences on these topics and discussed how to improve these areas in our lives by making healthy and appropriate choices, both in the short term, and long term. These three youth completed the pre and post tests on happiness.

November 22: Seven youth met to explore what they are thankful for in their lives. Youth and staff discussed how to think and act positively, and the power that can have in life. Youth reflected on what people, opportunities, and experiences have empowered them and they have been blessed by. Thanksgiving treats were shared, some of which youth members brought to the Council meeting. Youth made thankful pictures and letters to the Farm Service Agency as they agreed to be their Secret Santa.

Speaking/Events:

November 4: Opportunity Passport Training — one youth participated

November 7: DDCO meeting — staff participated

November 11: Opportunity Passport Training — one youth participated and completed the training program

December 2011

Council Meetings:

December 13: Ten youth met to celebrate the holidays with our AMP Holiday Party. Youth opened their Secret Santa presents provided by the Farm Service Agency. Youth and staff shared holiday treats, shared stories and traditions (old and new), made holiday decorations (candy cane reindeer, candy sleds, and hanging ornaments), and made thank you ornaments and cards to the Farm Service Agency for their presents. Staff and youth discussed upcoming opportunities and programs to participate in and planned for upcoming activities.

December 27: No meeting due to the Holidays

Speaking/Events:

December 5: DDCO meeting — staff participated

December 9: Multicultural Holiday Event — three youth and staff participated

December 13: Farm Service Agency Youth Speaking Event — four youth met and decorated holiday cookies and then gave them to FSA staff as they met to share their stories, speak about the Dubuque AMP Council, and give thanks to them for being their Secret Santa.

December 21: Farm Service Agency — staff participated in meeting with FSA staff about their generosity in being the youth’s Secret Santa and shared how the AMP Holiday Party went.

December 22: Meeting with Lutheran Services in Iowa — staff participated to build relationships with the KidsNet program and explore future partnership activities and events

50 December 28: Meeting with Four Oaks — staff participated to build relationships with the Aftercare and PAL programs to explore future partnership activities and events.

Fort Dodge: Submitted by Maria Weydert

The Fort Dodge AMP Council began with our first meeting in July 2011. Our Council continues to meet from 5:30-7 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at the GRLS Program Building in Fort Dodge, Iowa at 2406 9 ½ Avenue South. During the reporting period from July to December 2011, seven youth joined the group bringing the total number of registered members to forty-four. We had eleven meetings during this six month period, of which ten was the average number in attendance. Thirteen has been our highest and six our lowest attendance numbers.

Our Council has formed a partnership with Youth Shelter Care in Fort Dodge as the sub-contractor for AMP in our area. We have also developed a collaboration with our local 4-H program to increase our access to speakers and topics for youth. Along with the various programs of Youth Shelter Care, we have reached out to the Department of Human Services, Community and Family Resources STARS Program, and Rabiner Treatment Center. Our youth have provided input for the local TIPP Coalition Board on the topic of teen pregnancy and prevention. AMP has been promoted to the Fort Dodge Community Schools and at area provider meetings. With funding from Linking Families and Communities, AMP now reaches youth in Wright, Hamilton, and Humboldt Counties.

July 2011

Council Meetings:

At the beginning of each meeting, the youth start by sharing their highs and lows.

July 14: Six youth participated in a viewing of the documentary, From Place to Place, which follows the journeys of three youth as they age out of the child welfare system and try to begin new lives.

July 28: Nine youth gathered to discuss the topic of sexual harassment, respect, and equality with the local TIPP Coalition Coordinator.

Speaking/Events:

July 20: Youth enjoyed a canoeing trip provided by the Webster County Conservation Board at Kennedy Park. A picnic followed.

Ashley, Ruth, and The girls (Ashley, Ruth and There they go! Time to come in and eat! Tonya taking off. Tonya) trying to get back to shore.

51 The girls (Ashley, Ruth and Tonya) trying to get back to shore. August 2011

Council Meetings:

August 11: Ten youth met to participate in New Member Training. Several youth were newly trained and presented their journeys to the rest of the group.

August 25: Twelve members attended this meeting and learned tips on bargain shopping and frugal living

Speaking/Events:

August 9 and 10: Four youth attended a retreat at YMCA Camp of Greater Des Moines — Boone Y Camp and participated in a training by the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative on youth/adult partnerships.

September 2011

Council Meetings:

September 8: One of our youth taught the other eight in attendance an easy microwave cake recipe. Everyone got a chance to make their own.

September 22: Thirteen youth learned about the great opportunities at Iowa Central Community College by an Admissions Advisor.

October 2011

Council Meetings:

October 27: Eleven members came to enjoy a Halloween costume party and learn how to make caramel apples.

Speaking/Events:

October 20: Five youth spoke on a panel for the PS-MAPP class and shared information on AMP along with their journeys, for eighteen individuals planning to become licensed foster parents.

November 2011

Council Meetings:

November 10: Ten youth learned about volunteer opportunities at Almost Home Animal Shelter. They also donated “chew toys” they made for the animals by using old jeans cut into strips and braided.

Speaking/Events:

November 19: Three youth volunteered and presented a program Ruth, Mayte, and Claire present the poem “Four for Adoption Saturday. Candles” with 2 other youth at Adoption Saturday.

November 22: Five youth shared their journeys with the women’s group from Seventh Day Adventist Church.

52 The girls (Ashley, Ruth and Tonya) trying to get back to shore. December 2011

Council Meetings:

December 1: Eleven members completed satisfaction surveys and did a button sewing activity led by our 4-H partner, Linda Cline. Linda also involved the youth in several speaking/presentation skill building activities.

December 15: Ten youth attended a New Member Training by Ruth Buckels. We also discussed the 2012 Legislative agenda and did some planning for upcoming events

Events:

December 6: Five youth spoke at the Hamilton County Appreciation Event in Webster City

December 19: To celebrate the holidays, ten youth enjoyed an afternoon of roller skating and pizza. They were also given Christmas gift bags filled with goodies.

Ruth and Ashley lacing Shania and Shane Claire stayed close to the up! wall for safety!

Tyler getting ready to roller blade. Sioux City: Submitted by Patty Redmond

Sioux City Youth Council experienced a delayed start. Sioux City Youth Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month. With the first Monday in July being July 4, our AMP Youth Council met for the first time on July 18, 2011. This report covers from that date through December 2011. There have been a dozen youth who filled out applications for AMP and all were submitted to Ruth at various times throughout the past six months. In all actuality, it seems there are few, if any, active members in our Sioux City Youth Council. Sioux City has averaged 2.6 youth for the ten meetings held during July through December. Our highest attendance was eight, with the lowest being zero. Our meetings are held at Midtown Family Community Center, 525 14th Street, on 3rd floor, room 308, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. I was informed after the new member training that this location is not very welcoming and I should be looking for another spot. I believe when the meeting area changes, so should the day, and possible time. The foster parent support group meets on the first Monday as well, which has prevented me from attending those meetings where I could be presenting AMP as a resource for youth in care. I continue contacting Aftercare youth with information on meetings however, this has produced little if any results. The Crittenton Center Shelter has several eligible youth but confidentiality is a barrier I have not yet broken through.

July 2011

July 18: four youth present. Kirsten Colt, the Health Educator from Planned Parenthood of the Heartland was guest speaker. The group was made up of only females, between the ages 15 to 17. The girls appeared to me, 53 to be at a wide range of maturity and one with some reluctance to speak about the sexual nature of the topics presented. Kirsten is known as a “sexpert” and she has the skills and knowledge to address all ages, make them feel comfortable, encourage discussion, and answer completely any questions presented to her. Each girl actively participated by sharing their information, some of which was incorrect. One of the AMP members gave a quick response to several of Kirsten’s questions. At one point, Kirsten commented by telling this member she has wide knowledge of the topic and is curious as to where she gets all of her information. The member, a 16 year old girl, stated simply that, “several friends are prostitutes.” Another young member, more timid and shy, spoke about Kirsten presenting at her school and how she and her friends were pleased to be given information about sex that is accurate, current, and pertinent to their involvement/activity.

August 2011

August 1: postponed meeting until August 8 at which time we plan to visit the Cherokee Youth Council, who meets on the second and fourth Mondays.

August 8: a group of four girls, Amy Hulls and I traveled to visit the Cherokee Youth Council. Ruth was present to gather information from the members as to what they liked and did not like about AMP, in addition to any and all questions, concerns or suggestions they were willing to share. Daedra and the support person had a scheduled activity planned for the group; tie dye t-shirts. Each of the girls returned home with a tie-dyed undershirt. They were excited just knowing they created the shirts and anxious for them to dry out so they could be worn to school and shown to their friends.

August 15: with school conferences scheduled, Trella was the only member available on this date. We went to a sandwich shop for dinner and I shared information about AMP and what she might expect to gain by taking part in the Youth Council. I also, discussed with Trella the upcoming Facilitators and youth training planned to take place in Ames, IA on the following day. She was interested in attending the training and accompanied me and Daedra to Ames, IA. Following the training and while driving home Trella stated she felt very overwhelmed and confused by the youth trainer and what requirements/restrictions were made upon the AMP youth regarding social network sites i.e., Facebook, You Tube, and Twitter.

September 2011

September 5: due to Labor Day there was no meeting held

September 19: eight youth, including one male were present for our guest speaker, Jane Griesel, from CSADV. I gave Amy Hulls and Jane Griesel prior notice that due to a scheduled meeting it was necessary for me to be arriving 20-30 minutes late. Amy agreed to get the meeting started. Jane spoke on healthy relationships, imbalance of power, and the many ways an abuser might control. The male youth shared with the group several situations where he felt controlled in his relationship with a current girlfriend. The AMP group of girls agreed that it appeared he was being coerced. Although it appeared he was being taken advantage of by his girlfriend, he was supportive to the others in the group and readily offered the male perspective during all discussions. I saw it as an interesting and valuable evening with every member engaged in pertinent conversation.

October 2011

October 3: four youth attended the New Member Training given by Cheryl Johnson and Terri Bailey. One of the youth present had been living at various places with others on the street for several months. I suspected she was off medication and when I told her that the two people with her could not stay, she chose to leave. I found it disappointing, the reports that came back to me, through Mary Elks, regarding the location, lighting, locked doors, and the overall building conditions.

54 Three of the girls attending live with Amy Hulls, who has been volunteering as the support person for AMP. Amy did not attend this evening however; Amy informed me she no longer intends to keep this volunteer position and therefore expects the three girls to no longer be attending AMP as well. I asked Amy to make contact with Ruth and provide her with this information and/or reasons for her decision. To my knowledge Amy did not give Ruth this consideration. As of the date of the report, the support person has not yet been replaced.

October 17: no youth attended.

November 2011

November 7: two youth attended, both new to AMP. The young female was 18 years old and also the mother of a 2 year old boy. The young man attending requested that his same sex partner be allowed to attend. I denied the request. Nonetheless, both youth attending expressed their excitement to be part of AMP and their willingness to continue. She planned to make contact with a close friend, and her sister, who she believed would be a perfect fit for AMP, adding that the three would be coming to the following meeting. Both youth in attendance expressed their interest in a mentoring position and I felt confident the two of them were bright, appropriate, and more than capable in taking a leadership role with AMP.

November 21: Faith Drew was the only person that came to AMP. She is the youngest by far of six women living in a recovery home. Faith shared quite a bit about herself and some of her past struggles. She is very proud of the fact that she has remained sober for several months after having fallen off the wagon. She filled out the AMP application and expressed an interest in attending as long as it did not interfere with her telemarketing job. I purchased chicken strips, and two sides because I was anticipating a minimum of 4 to 6 youth coming. I sent the entire purchase with Faith to share among the other women living with her who also were in recovery. Following the meeting I contacted both youth from the meeting on November 7. The young man sent me an IM saying he would go to AMP if I completed an online questionnaire, which I completed but he has not since replied to any of my messages. The young woman informed me she has taken another job and her schedule doesn’t allow her to attend AMP.

December 2011

December 19: Faith Drew attended and we finished watching the human trafficking documentary. She stated she has personal experience in trafficking and thought the documentary was well done. Faith is very focused on her recovery and our conversation centered on her goals for the future; stay sober, move into another house, mentor addicts, complete school, work in the field of addictions, pay back to others what she has received through Jackson Recovery. Faith also mentioned there is a McDonald’s next to her place of employment and that she very much enjoyed using her gift card there for dinner one evening. I offered her another card, in addition to the bread, cheese, grapes, and holiday tray which I purchased for AMP on this date.

Waterloo: Submitted by Teanna Smart

The Waterloo AMP Council was first formed in April, 2007. We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. During this reporting period, ten chapter meetings were held. The group has thirty-one registered Council members. Our lowest attendance during this reporting period was four and the highest was eighteen. Our Council reaches out to two residential treatment centers: Quakerdale and Bremwood.

The Waterloo AMP Council has mobile meetings. We meet the second Tuesday of each month at Quakerdale’s Waterloo campus and the fourth Tuesday we meet at Bremwood/LSI at the Waverly campus. Foster Parent Support/Training Groups and childcare for children who aren’t old enough to attend AMP 55 meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. Since our meeting place isn’t held with the Foster Parent Support/Training Groups AMP offers transportation for youth attending their monthly meeting.

Many of our older youth who have aged out of the system are not able to attend regularly due to school or employment conflicts. However, they still provide a strong base for the advocacy and public speaking roles that AMP is frequently asked to play. They are also active AMP representatives in community events.

July 2011

Council Meetings:

July 13: This Council meeting was cancelled due to attendance.

July 27: A DVD and information was presented to inform youth about the new laws on texting while driving. There were four youth in attendance at Mt. Carmel.

Speaking/Events:

There were no speaking engagements this month.

August 2011

Council Meetings:

August 9: AMP partnered with DHS on the Breakthrough Series event and put together backpacks filled with Ethnic books and hair care products for African American and bi-racial children that are in foster care. There was a $5,000 grant awarded to DHS for purchasing hair and skin care products such as: hair grease, shampoo/conditioner, hair scarves, combs/brushes, skin creams/lotions, books, and backpacks. The books were to educate both foster parents and children on how to manage hair and skin care and how to incorporate African American culture and heritage into their lives. There were four in attendance at the Waterloo DHS building.

August 23: AMP youth planned for the Waterloo AMP kick-off. The youth spent the meeting time making fliers, posters, and the agenda for the kick-off. The youth invited DHS workers, supports, families and other community members. There were ten youth in attendance at Mt. Carmel.

Speaking/Events:

August 11: four AMP youth spoke to College of Hair Design (CHD) in Waterloo about partnering together for a hair care event on how to take care of their hair to present for a future meeting. CHD agreed to present and do demonstrations at an AMP meeting and future projects.

August 23: ten AMP youth spoke to West High School’s class President, Vice President and Treasure about a fundraiser or drive to donate items to the Transitions Closet. The drive was to get more household items to stock in the closet such as couches, beds/mattresses, kitchen/bathroom items and other household essentials.

September 2011

Council Meetings:

September 13: The Waterloo AMP kick-off was held at Quakerdale. The event was a success, the youth played games, educated our guest on AMP’s motto and vision. Quakerdale donated and grilled hamburgers, 56 hot dogs, and desserts. Carol Luce with Cedar Valley’s Promise spoke to youth about the bi-annual Young Leader’s in Action Leadership conference. There were thirteen in attendance.

September 19: The AMP Hair/Skin Care Event was held at Bremwood with seventeen in attendance. College of Hair Design sent three beauticians and a barber to present and demonstrate how to take care of hair/skin for all races. The youth were very engaged and asked a lot of questions to help them understand what they needed to do to maintain healthy hair and skin.

Speaking Events:

There was one youth who attended the AMP Retreat on September 9 and 10, in Boone, Iowa and was in charge of presenting the information back to the Waterloo Council at the next Council meeting.

October 2011

October 11: Nine youth were trained at the New Members Training with Ruth Buckels and Cheryl Johnson at Quakerdale. The youth learned the history of the former program Elevate and how it transitioned into AMP and the importance of the program.

October 25: AMP youth voted for AMP-CC while at Bremwood. There were two delegates and an alternate voted. There were a total of eighteen youth in attendance. Nine youth wrote out speeches and said why they felt they should be our Council’s representative, what AMP means to them, and how they plan to move the Council forward in a positive direction. AMP youth created a menu for the 3rd Annual AMP Thanksgiving Meal.

Speaking Events

October 27: four AMP youth spoke to CPPC, The Hub about Mt. Carmel about helping with the 3rd Annual AMP Thanksgiving meal. Food, time and the kitchen for preparing the meal was provided for AMP.

October 29: two AMP youth spoke at Glad Tidings Church

November 2011

November 15: We only met one time in November due to vacation for the Thanksgiving holiday break. There were eighteen youth in attendance for the 3rd Annual AMP Thanksgiving Meal at Mt. Carmel. The youth prepared the food, set-up tables, and place settings. The AMP youth were able to enjoy a traditional family- style Thanksgiving meal. At the Waterloo AMP, most Council members rely on AMP for personal support and report that it feels more like a family rather than a program.

Speaking Events

November 28: One AMP youth spoke to Best Buy about donating gift cards for AMP’s Holiday Party. Information was presented to the supervisors on the AMP program and the services we provide. Best Buy donated gift cards for each youth.

November 28: One AMP youth spoke to Hy-Vee about donating food for the AMP Holiday Party. The AMP youth educated the managers about foster care in our community and how important it was that partnerships formed with the local businesses. Hy-Vee donated gift cards to purchase food items.

57 November 28: One AMP youth spoke to Wal-Mart about donating gift cards or food for the AMP Holiday Party. Wal-Mart donated a gift card to purchase prizes and food.

November 28: Two AMP youth spoke to the University of Northern Iowa’s Humanities Department and UNI Foundation about donating gift bags or gift cards for the youth at the Holiday Party.

December 2011

December 13: Janelle Ballhagen from Allen’s Women’s Health Center came to speak to eleven AMP youth at Quakerdale about their Reproductive Life Plan (RLP). The RLP educated youth on how important planning is so that when it comes to making any decision in life you make the right one. Whether or not you’re planning a family or educational or employment goals you need to have a plan because “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

December 27: AMP’s Holiday Party was held at Bremwood with thirteen in attendance. Each youth received Best Buy gift cards, gift bags and great food and dessert. The youth were able to celebrate the holidays together as an AMP family and continue to make lifelong connections and friendships.

Speaking Events

December 8: AMP presented to 6th grade students at St. Edward’s Catholic School. The school chose foster care for their service learning project and had heard about AMP and wanted to know how the program helped foster care youth. There were many ideas to choose from for this new partnership. The students are still voting on which idea to choose. The Book Maybe Days for every foster home in Black Hawk County to have to help their family understand about foster care. Stuff Etc. donating some of the proceeds in AMP account that people donate to the store and designate. Foster youth can go to Stuff Etc. for clothing needs and have clothing purchase be taken from the AMP funds account.

This concludes the individual AMP Council reports.

2. Conduct an agency approved youth survey to measure Council participants' satisfaction of overall Council operation annually and submit to the Agency within thirty days of the end of each annual contract year. The survey will measure participant satisfaction with the Council and effectiveness of Council projects and activities, including training received.

Again, with appreciation to both, Carol Behrer, YPII Executive Director, and Consultant for AMP and Doug Wolfe, AMP Program Manager, IDHS, there is a semi-annual Satisfaction Survey being tested. Carol and Doug met and discussed the AMP Program Deliverables and Outcome Measures. From this conversation, Carol developed a one page survey to be given to AMP participants twice a year.

Outcome measurements are currently being collected so will not be available for this report however; the tool we are piloting is attached. Once we receive the initial results, the tool may be adapted.

SEE ATTACHMENT 3 SEMI-ANNUAL SATISFACTION SURVEY

3. Develop a procedure for participants to formally offer suggestions and/or register written complaints. Also, notice all participants of their right to do so.

AMP has a form with instructions posted on our website for easy access. It covers both options for feedback. To date, no feedback has been received using the formal form.

58 We have had many interested parties contact us and ask for information about AMP. The Statewide Coordinator receives all comments from the website and has replied to each request with an AMP brochure and questions about their interest. This has generated a number of email exchanges and aided our Facilitators in locating potential volunteers, speakers, and alumni for their Councils.

YSS has a formal grievance policy that staff adapted for AMP to use and it is located on the YSS Intranet. Each partnership agency has a grievance policy as well. The AMP staff have reworked the grievance policy to fit AMP. To date, this policy has not been to an AMP-CC approval process to gather youth input because a meeting has not been held since the changes have been made. The grievance policy as well as a number of other policy updates will be on the AMP-CC agenda in April 2012.

Another suggested feedback opportunity has been for Council Facilitators to place a Suggestion/Issue box at the meeting site and check it regularly. The drawback to this suggestion is the lack of privacy which might lead to uncomfortable feelings we do not want the youth to experience.

Since we are testing our Facebook feedback loop, and we can present questions through this medium, we could begin to gather ideas from the youth with Facebook access to see what they suggest we offer all participants for suggestions/complaints feedback and then incorporate those suggestions into future procedure.

The final method we can develop procedure from with decent results is to host a Focus Group Call and ask questions to create discussion. Following the youth input from a call, a formal procedure can be developed that is youth driven and then it can be voted on at the next AMP-CC Meeting. AMP staff plan to host another set of Focus Group Calls in February in the after-school time slot to see if we can increase numbers.

1.3.1.6 Quality Assurance and Program Improvement Activities

1. Develop and implement an internal continuous quality assurance process using data analysis, process and practice modification, supervision, and other methods.

With great appreciation and thanks to Carol Behrer, YPII Executive Director, and Consultant for AMP, an ongoing evaluation process has been developed, presented, and is being piloted.

The tools that fit this category are: YOUTH FEEDBACK OPPORTUNTY — GENERAL and YOUTH FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY — GUEST SPEAKER. These November 15, 2011 face-to-face meeting in Ames. (Carol also provided a detailed email that the Statewide Coordinator forwarded to all AMP Contractors following the meeting to make sure all had access to the electronic version).

To date, only one Council has filled the forms in and submitted them to the Statewide Coordinator so our data is limited; however, it was nice to receive scores and comments from the youth. Most of the Councils only met one time in November and one time in December and those occasions had holiday events attached to them so feedback was targeted to the party-mode of AMP.

In the future, it is hoped that the guest speaker form will be used for new guest speakers — as the youth are in need of greater community connections and hosting guest speakers is a positive way to make those connections. In future reports, it is planned that the evaluation results be shared to demonstrate the impact of the message and also to share new connections.

The general evaluation form will be for the Statewide Coordinator and the supervisor of the local Council to read how the meeting went and to receive youth suggestions. These forms will be used for quick Council meeting updates. This could be an effective tool for youth voice if the youth can see immediate impact of their ideas and suggestions within their Councils. 59 The Statewide Coordinator plans to have these as part of the Positive Youth Development Tool Kit shared with Facilitators and taught by Amy Croll’s message in February and reinforced by Carol’s work and this Coordinator.

SEE ATTACHMENTS 3 AND 4

2. Develop and implement a Quality Improvement System which involves input from participants, staff, and collaborating partners.

AMP has a few quality improvement systems in development. First, the YPQA and the formal training of AMP Facilitators on Positive Youth Development to be done by Amy Croll, LMSW, Executive Director, Community! Youth Concepts (CYC). To date, only a couple AMP leaders have been exposed to the concepts that positive youth development promotes and only two staff have been exposed to the YPQA. This training is scheduled to happen in February 16, 2012 and include up to thirty AMP involved adults.

Once this training is completed, the current plan is then to require the Council Facilitator and the Partnership Agency to develop a plan to fully implement positive youth development into their AMP Councils. In the next fiscal year of AMP, the YPQA will be administered at most if not all, Council Meetings as a baseline measurement. The Statewide Coordinator was uncomfortable with the idea of using the YPQA until the Facilitators and Partnership Agencies have been exposed to the concepts and had a chance to implement changes. Feedback is better heard when one has knowledge of what is being assessed in the opinion of the Coordinator. In light of this, Amy agreed to train on the concepts this year and then access AMP with the YPQA beginning in the fall of 2012.

A second quality improvement system is discussed multiple times in this report as the work of Carol Behrer, Executive Director, Youth Policy Institute of Iowa in the form of feedback surveys. She has developed three for AMP to pilot. They are attached and further discussed in other sections.

A third quality improvement system involves all the new options youth and others have to get feedback to us. AMP now has an interactive Website, a Facebook account and we are hosting Focus Group Calls. Though we do not have written protocols for the feedback yet, they are being tested and notes are being made for the AMP- CC youth to consider.

A fourth quality improvement system AMP is implementing is adding more protocol to our AMP Operations Manual. This manual has received little attention due to lack of staff time and agency support. With the new contract and the Partnership Agencies involvement, there is a much greater need for the Operations Manual. It has begun to be a priority for staff which can only benefit the AMP program.

3. Provide access to monthly Clinical Supervision for Local Council Facilitators, volunteers, and leadership staff involved with the Youth Council.

The AMP Statewide Coordinator has a Master’s Degree and 25 years in the field of social work. The Statewide Coordinator is available to staff as requested. Additionally, AMP Facilitators and Supervisors are requested on a monthly statewide conference call (the second Tuesday of each month) for an hour of reciprocal updates. Additionally, AMP Facilitators and Supervisors attend a quarterly face-to-face meeting where programming needs are addressed and where training is offered.

Since AMP is subcontracted to eight Partnership Agencies, each of the Council Facilitators and their support staff are directly supervised by staff within the agency. To support the Facilitators and the Agencies, the Statewide Coordinator is available for conference calls, meetings, and additional supervision requests as

60 needed. This is an open invitation to each of them and many have utilized it as the transition has happened with AMP from Elevate.

Within YSS, the Statewide Coordinator has regular supervision with George Belitsos, CEO of the Lead Agency and Terri Johanson, Rosedale/Aftercare Director and Ames Service Area Leader, on a regular basis. Terri Bailey and the Statewide Coordinator are part of this supervision.

Additionally, the Statewide Coordinator, Terri Bailey, the Assistant Coordinator, and Cheryl Johnson, the Education/Vocation Coordinator at CFI meet for Supervision and AMP Planning at least twice a month and we have multiple emails exchanged to facilitate fulfilling all programmatic needs. Cheryl seconds as the support worker for the Des Moines Council meetings so is directly involved with the largest AMP Council and is the primary staff located in Des Moines for the AMP youth to access as needed.

4. Conduct and maintain records absent of any Criminal History or Child Abuse for all paid staff and volunteers who work directly with Children and Youth.

This program requirement is carried out by all eight subcontractors for the staff and volunteers they have involved in AMP.

YSS has a Volunteer Coordinator and a Human Resources Department that oversees all the files and safety checks for Youth and Shelter Services. All staff files are checked and cleared before employment or volunteering can begin.

For the spring semester 2012, AMP will have the benefit of two ISU interns. Currently, they have begun by setting up the Facebook Account with Terri and teaching her how to administer it. Additionally, it is planned that they travel to each Council and interview youth in that Council. The data from that interview will be recorded and put on the AMP Website as a means of introducing visitors to AMP success stories. They will also have tasks like getting the Poetry Book onto the Website and making it fully accessible and operational to visitors. AMP staff have brainstormed additional tasks with the Legislative Session and with our tasks we want to advance in the field of education. Those will be reported on in the next report if all goes as planned. AMP is thrilled for the extra staff and their expertise.

5. Maintain all programmatic and financial records related to the services funded under this Contract in a secure physical location.

Response provided by Nancy Kaltenheuser — Chief Fiscal Officer

All financial records are maintained in the YSS fiscal office located at 420 Kellogg Ave, Ames, Iowa.

Records are kept in a locked file in the fiscal office.

The office is locked when staff are not in.

6. Will facilitate up to three formal focus groups outside of regular Council meetings in the first year to address a high priority issue(s). The Contractor and the Agency may collaborate to select a topic or topics, with the Agency providing final approval.

AMP hosted three Statewide Focus Group Calls on December 28, 29 and 30, 2011. Each call lasted 1.5 hours and was open to all youth in Iowa. The announcement of the scheduled calls was sent out to the Council Facilitators and the Partnership Agencies for distribution to their contact lists and their youth, electronically and

61 in meetings in December. All the calls began at 1:00 p.m. and were offered during the holiday break youth had from school. Call in instructions and topics were provided on the announcement.

 December 28 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Call Facilitator: Terri Bailey

Topic: AMP Vision, Purpose, and Mission Statements

 December 29 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Call Facilitator: Cheryl Johnson

Topic: Recruiting NEW Members into AMP

Legislation addition to agenda — vote needed

 December 3 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Call Facilitator: Teresa Downing/ISU

Topic: Human Trafficking / legislation needed in Iowa

The first call only pulled in one youth which did not allow for interactive discussion. Notes were kept and will be used to initiate online discussion both on the website and on Facebook. Following this call, AMP staff spent hours calling youth and sending emails.

The second call netted 12 youth and a nice discussion. The notes for this call are imbedded in section 1.3.1.2.1 — Recruitment.

The third call had 6 youth on it and there were some great insights shared and recorded for this topic. Teresa Downing, an ISU Faculty member facilitated this call as she is studying human trafficking in Iowa and is currently seeking stories that support the need for research to be advocated and funded within Iowa. She also sought and located youth to serve on her Board Against Human Trafficking. Two AMP youth responded to her request for Board Representation.

Overall, even though numbers were low, good information was gathered from youth. More calls are being planned in February or early March and topic areas are being identified. DHS will be consulted for topic requests and call facilitation in this next round now that we have some idea of how this process works. For these three calls, our Contract Manager was notified of the topics and did join the calls that fit into his schedule.

7. Youth Program Quality Assessment shall be used for all chapters and results will inform quality improvement activities.

See section 1.3.1.6 — Program Improvement Systems for the plan developed with Amy Croll, LMSW, Executive Director, Community! Youth Concepts (CYC).

AMP Facilitators, staff and Partnership Agency Supervisors will be trained in February 2012, by Amy on positive youth development and the YPQA concepts. They will then have a few months to improve their Councils before the first round of YPQA Assessments completed in the fall of 2012.

Upon completion of the YPQA and after obtaining the results and sharing those with each individual Council, quality improvement activities will be planned and reported on by the Statewide Coordinator.

62 8. Staff training in cultural competency shall be provided annually. The Contractor shall provide documentation that Council Facilitators and the Statewide Coordinator attend culturally competency training annually.

Training on Cultural Competency is scheduled to be presented at the Annual Risky Business Conference in May 2012 that all AMP Facilitators and the Statewide Coordinator will be attending.

Many of the Facilitators have taken this training in the past. Certificates of attendance will be requested if they have attended within the past year. If not, the Statewide Coordinator will set this up for the May/June face-to- face meeting in Ames.

The statewide AMP staff participate in the YSS Diversity Task Force which plans in house trainings and promotes attendance at out-of-agency diversity conferences. AMP statewide staff have met twice with the director of the Statewide Gay-Straight Alliance in order to network and promote AMP as a welcoming environment for LGBTQ foster care youth. We have also brainstormed on a joint grant to promote service to gay, lesbian, and bisexual AMP youth.

9. Participate in an annual all Contractors' meeting.

George Belitsos, CEO of YSS, lead agency of this contract will attend with selected AMP staff once a date, time, and location are known.

1.3.1.7 Evidence Based and Promising Practices

1. Utilize the federal Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process and the accompanying Child Welfare Outcomes and indicators.

Both AMP youth and staff have served on the CFSR review teams and worked in committee to discuss and decide a path for Iowa to take in improving Iowa’s child welfare system. From these meetings, the PIP (Program Improvement Plan) was developed. This 93 page document, which can be accessed at http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/Consumers/Child_Welfare/BR4K/CFSR/Child_and_Family_Service_Review.html lists the benchmarks and tasks for each area Iowa is targeting. AMP youth and staff are involved with each individual benchmark that targets youth/child-welfare from definitions to a Bill of Rights. AMP applies the quality assessments to our program just as they are required of Iowa.

The CFSR Outcomes are: Safety, Permanency, Academic Preparation, and Skill Development & Well Being.

Safety is achieved through: safe meeting locations, a safety net within meeting of unconditional acceptance and equality of attenders, phone, e-mail and texting access to facilitators and statewide coordinator, all staff are trained as mandatory reporters, all attenders are supported equally in goal-setting, and goal-achievement without prejudice. One of the leading messages within AMP is that we are all connected by the journey’s we are on. Being on that journey, makes all of us accountable to each other as well as to ourselves so staying within the youth-driven model, AMP has safety from the youth by the youth for accountability in the pursuit of healthy goals.

Permanency is achieved based on each youth’s definition of the term and how they pursue this as a goal. AMP accepts permanency to one is not permanency to all so each youth is supported in setting their path, and guided with resources, supports, and directions when asked as they pursue long-term permanency. When AMP was known as elevate, a DVD was made on “what is Permanency” by the youth and it remains available to educate others. 63 Academic Preparation is achieved in multiple ways. First, each Facilitator has access to Cheryl Johnson, Education/Vocation Specialist. Cheryl’s position does education and vocation outreach in each Council’s community to assist in information gathering and distribution. See Cheryl’s report included. Second, each council has access to an IDHS Transitional Living Specialist that can meet with youth, provide resources and hands-on support to assist all youth in setting goals, forms, options, explanations and more. These individuals frequently split their time between a council or two so all the attenders meet them. Third, AMP has hosted college visits, virtual tours, Computer access to the Department of Education information, and form night for youth to work together as well as linked work with financial options by the Iowa College Aid Commission. See individual Council reports for more each one offers in this area.

Skill Development is achieved primarily through the program portion of each Council meeting and through the speaking engagements AMP youth participate in. It is said by most that with each activity, there is reciprocal learning and skill development that happens. AMP youth report this outcome and frequently ask for more opportunities and activities. From meeting and greeting each other, to computer use of the website to public and media presentations, skills are promoted, developed, and demonstrated. Each retreat focuses on additional skills the youth have requested to learn. AMP is committed to increasing opportunities for more youth to build as many skills as we can expose them to.

Well Being is achieved within AMP by equality, acceptance, recognition, praise, belief and promotion of each youth, at their own comfort level, to advance healthy goals they setting. Please refer to program outcomes for youth’s comments on the impact AMP has had with them.

2. Align activities with the Agency's Model of Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Practice and embrace the Family Interaction strategy.

AMP works in collaboration with the Children Justice Initiative about issues and activities related to juvenile court. In August 2011, Krystine Lange from Children’s Justice interviewed youth from Des Moines and Ames councils to gather quotes for the new teen booklet “Engaging Youth in the Court Process.” She also presented the comic book version for 8-12 year olds and asked AMP youth for feedback. Each AMP council is involved with the Children’s Justice Initiative in their respective service areas. In regards to family interaction, AMP is open to parent or foster parent attending with their youth, brothers and sisters attending together and advocating for all youth as they interact with the child welfare system. Through the “Get It Right” guidebook AMP youth brought to life the issues that youth in care encounter: lack of basic knowledge of the DHS and Court system, adult roles, youth rights within the system and who to contact if their rights are not being met. Parents are offered training and support at several partner agencies where AMP councils hold their bi-monthly meetings, these training occur at the same time as AMP so it is convenient for parents to attend. Family interaction is a pathway to permanency for youth and keeping those connections to family are very important. AMP youth understand the need for permanency and often say that AMP is their family. 3. Develop a program which reflects the racial, cultural, ethnic diversity of youth in Foster Care.

All AMP councils reflect the diversity of youth in foster care, depending where each council is located in the state. Urban councils are more diverse because their members come from cities where the population consists of multi-racial youth and varied cultures depending on the location within the state. AMP is open to any youth that wants to attend. Also answered in section 1.3.1.2 answers 1 and 2

4. Develop a program which provides access to youth from all levels of Foster Care.

AMP is structured using local agencies who are already connected to shelter, residential, treatment, group care, foster /adoptive parents, and kinship providers. The employees of the local agencies all work with youth in the 64 placements previously listed so they can refer teens to the AMP program on their caseloads. Several agencies also subcontract for Aftercare and PAL services with YSS and this reaches the age 18-21 youth. Also answered in Section 1.3.1.2 answers 1 and 2

5. Promote significant adult relationships by involving foster parents, biological parents, and other adults as appropriate.

See response in Section 1.3.1.2 answers 1 and 2. Additionally, AMP has reached out to both the Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parent Association and Iowa KidsNet Project to educate, offer training, and offer articles/advertisements. AMP has submitted articles to the IFAPA newsletter and those are printed when space allows.

AMP youth developed a permanency DVD that was purchased by Iowa KidsNet and written into the PS-MAPP Curriculum by personnel at Quakerdale. AMP staff heard that some trainers use the DVD. AMP continues to offer to personally attend a session of PS-MAPP, if invited and available, to expose incoming foster/adoptive parents to AMP, and encourage them to consider accepting teens into their care.

AMP has worked with the Parent Partner (PP) program in Polk County to promote retaining ties to biological families whenever possible and gave voice to the benefits for youth who need this hope in their lives. It is well documented that many youth explore their roots after being in the system. AMP youth concurred with PP philosophy that healthy connections can be learned and developed no matter what the past has held for families. When it was shared with AMP staff that the Parent Partner Program is expanding to cover more of Iowa, AMP approached YSS in Ames and received a positive response to facilitating the process in any manner they ask. Our youth have liked this program and its concepts so AMP stands ready to do what we can when needs are known.

One ongoing benefit to community adults and resources that AMP directly benefits statewide from is provided to us through an interagency agreement with Children and Families of Iowa for Cheryl Johnson, our Education/Vocation Specialist. In the past she has overseen the Apartment Make-Over Project, the expansion of the Art Spoken Project for AMP Youth Artwork as well as providing measurable education tools/subjects for AMP meetings. Her report follows.

Educational/Vocational Specialist Summary Report Submitted by Cheryl Johnson

July — December 2011

Education/Vocation Topics: During this reporting period, all Councils provided information to youth on Frugal Living/Bargain Shopping and Taking Responsibility for Your Own Happiness; pre- and post-tests were administered on these two topics. A total of 111 youth received training on Frugal Living/Bargain Shopping. According to pre- and post-tests, 108 youth improved their knowledge or stayed the same. Sessions were also conducted on Taking Responsibility for Your Own Happiness, with pre- and post-tests administered. Tests are still being gathered and scored from the chapters at this time. At submission time of the previous report to DHS, pre and post tests were being gathered from the sessions on Giving and Receiving Constructive Criticism. Of the 92 youth who received this training, 86 reported scores that were the same or better. Next quarter’s topic is Conflict Management. Information on other topic areas including addictions were also shared with the Council Facilitators, for use in Council meetings if desired.

Elevate Our Youth to Adulthood/Transitioning Youth: During this reporting period, we completed our fourth annual Elevate Our Youth to Adulthood project. This project provided apartment makeovers for eleven Des Moines area youth who have transitioned into their own homes, by matching transitioning youth with 65 community group sponsors. Extra items gathered during the makeover process have been shared with many other AMP youth in transition as well. Youth received help with areas such as getting their driver’s licenses, obtaining jobs, decorating and cleaning, budgeting money, automobile repairs, financial aid for college, moving, diapers and baby clothes, emotional support, food assistance, and much more. A wrap-up dinner celebration and sponsor recognition ceremony occurred on September 27, 2011, with approximately 100 guests.

Bedroom Makeovers for Group Care: This worker initiated an outgrowth of the apartment makeover project this reporting period, by beginning a series of “mini-makeovers” on the bedrooms of the CFI group home youth. Community member donors are matched with youth to paint and decorate their rooms, as well as providing the youth with household items they can take with them when they leave care and move into independence or adult placement.

Suitcases for Seniors: Generous donations from community groups allowed us to purchase four more suitcases overflowing with items youth need as they go off to college or into their first apartment.

HALO Mentoring Program: The HALO (Helping And Loving Others) Mentoring Program has continued in Des Moines with all but one mentor in regular contact with their mentees beyond their one year commitment. Even youth who have left the Des Moines area have continued to be supported by their mentors, although on a less structured schedule as was maintained during the first year. This worker envisions starting a second group of HALO mentor training in Des Moines within the next quarter, with the goal of matching another group of ten youth with long term mentors.

The HALO Mentoring Chapter in Davenport has undergone some changes this reporting period. Some of the initial group of youth referred to HALO, came through Family Resources. As an agency, they have decided to re-vamp their volunteer policies and procedures and will not be utilizing volunteers until that happens. Meetings have occurred with other referral sources including Scott County Kids and Juvenile Court and Detention Services. RSVP is still on board to recruit potential mentors, and a second training of HALO volunteers will likely occur in late winter.

Collaboration with Parent Partners Program: This worker has continued to work with Parent Partners to get feedback from them on the possible usage of a document of questions (created by AMP youth), for use in getting family and historical information from parents for their children when they enter into care. The information is intended to be preserved for the child and the goal is to eventually include this in the Passport to Adulthood, currently being tested through Model Court.

Opportunity Passport: This worker has continued as the Opportunity Passport Provider for AMP youth that are enrolled in the Opportunity Passport program, facilitating new youth eligibility requests, matched and unmatched savings withdrawal requests, youth grant fund requests, twice annual survey completion, etc.

Community Resource referrals: This worker has continued to provide information about and referrals to a variety of community resources for youth as needed, including Spectrum Resources, Goodwill, Mainstream Living, YMCA Residential program, Adult Services, Optimae, Job Corps, Iowa Workforce Development, Buchanan House, food assistance programs, etc.

Group Home Youth: This worker has begun weekly life skills group sessions for AMP youth in CFI group care, providing training at both the girls’ and boys’ programs. Additional individual work has been done with a variety of these youth also, on specific skills needed for independence. This worker has attended four DHS Transitional staffings this period to provide additional assistance to these youth, and has attended one Iowa Youth Dream Team.

66 College and Vocational Training Data Base: Work continues on keeping youth and Council Facilitators updated on scholarships and internships available to foster youth. This worker continues to assist youth with FAFSA forms and college applications as needed.

Training: This worker attended trainings on Youth-Adult Partnerships and Unintended Pregnancies this reporting period.

New Member Training and Council Visits: This worker assisted in New Member Trainings in Council Bluffs, Sioux City, and Waterloo this reporting period, and also attended AMP Council Meetings in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, and Davenport. This worker continues to be the designated support person for the Des Moines AMP Council, and attended the overwhelming majority of Des Moines AMP meetings this period.

The following are active work groups in which the Educational/Vocational Specialist has continued to participate:

Model Court: This worker has attended the regular Polk County Model Court meetings.

Kinship: This Model Court sub-committee group has recently focused on the creation and testing of the Passport to Adulthood tool. This worker coordinated the edits and the sample testing of this tool on twelve foster care children and continues to assist as needed.

Intentional Pregnancy Prevention group: This Model Court sub-committee group meets regularly to discuss the underlying reasons for such high rates of intentional, multiple pregnancies with the youth we serve. Future goals include public awareness and education techniques.

Adoption Saturday: This Model Court sub-committee group met to evaluate the success of our previous Adoption Saturday events, and then coordinated this year’s event, held at the Polk County courthouse on November 19, 2011.

Education Collaborative: This work group is a collaboration of DHS, DOE, and other professionals focused on improving educational outcomes for foster youth.

Transition to Adulthood/Community Partnership meeting: This group focuses on sharing resources around youth transitioning into adulthood and meets quarterly to semi-annually.

Speaking engagements: AMP youth are frequently invited to share their stories and insights into the world of foster care. This worker helped coordinate a variety of these speaking engagements and community events with appropriate youth participating, including Hope Drama Troupe Youth Training, Reggie’s Sleepout, Adoption Saturday, etc.

Policy and Outreach Work: This worker has continued to assist as needed, in writing or proof-reading policies and procedures, the Get It Right Handbook, AMP Council Facilitator conference calls and meeting minutes, AMP legislative agendas, email letters to state legislators, etc. This worker has also continued to attend other meetings in addition to the committees listed above, to help support the AMP mission, including meetings with SIYAC, Drake Middleton Center, DMACC, etc.

67 6. Utilize youth development methods and approaches that nurture in participants a sense of competency, influence, belonging, and value.

AMP youth come from a wide array of racial, cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. All are encouraged and welcome to join. AMP youth regularly share that they feel accepted in AMP, no matter what their background. For many of our youth, this type of acceptance is new to them.

AMP youth are encouraged to express their individuality in many ways, including the recent addition of “Youth Yak” to some of our Council meetings. Youth can volunteer to prepare a Youth Yak segment, which allows them to showcase their talent, interest, hobby, or belief during a portion of the Council meeting.

Additionally, all Councils begin each meeting with participants sharing mandatory “highs” and optional “lows.” This has proven to be an informative part of all Council meetings, with youth frequently sharing experiences that reflect their unique heritage and belief system. Many of the items shared have led to requests from other AMP participants for additional information on the topic, often related to religious or cultural experiences, or lifestyle choices.

All Council Facilitators have been given information about diversity and group activities that help to recognize and celebrate cultural differences in their participants. Further training on diversity is always offered to youth and Facilitators at the annual AMP conference; for the second year AMP participants may attend the Risky Business Conference to satisfy this training requirement.

7. Engage youth in decision making at all levels, to instill confidence and allow youth to develop leadership experience.

All youth who have been in out of home placement at any time are welcome to attend AMP. AMP is advertised through PS-MAPP classes — when foster parents are first getting trained, and through IFAPA — which provides training and support to all interested foster and adoptive parents. AMP youth and staff train new DHS workers about what AMP can do for youth on their caseload, and are increasingly reaching more Juvenile Court personnel as well. AMP Facilitators maintain large agenda email lists, which advertise local meetings to a wide variety of community and system involved professionals, encouraging them all to bring youth to meetings. This is in addition to the multiple media (radio and newsprint) features completed this report period as well as all the youth speaking engagements.

AMP has made important strides in reaching out to shelter, residential and group care facilities throughout our coverage areas, encouraging them to bring youth and/or to allow AMP staff to come in and educate the youth about what AMP can do for them. The continued expansion of the AMP website and Facebook page are expected to increase the base of youth who are able to access our services. Some youth are not able to attend meetings, but may be able to access the internet, allowing them to have a voice in issues regarding foster care and to benefit from any information published on the website.

AMP has incorporated the following youth driven opportunities:

 At Council Meetings youth brainstorm ideas, discuss options, justify perspectives, and vote. All youth have the same voting power within the Council.

 At AMP-CC Retreats — the same process occurs where youth voice is shared, options discussed and challenged, and a vote taken. These youth are their Council’s representatives and they hold this position for a year before the next set is voted in by the local Council attenders.

68  Focus Group Calls — Facilitated conversation on a current topic to gather youth perspective and gain direction. In time, it is hoped youth will facilitate the calls.

 Facebook — Questions/answers and voting also available here.

 Website — Blogging is available.

 Youth decided name, colors, logo, vision, motto, and mission.

 Youth interview and vote on Council Facilitators and AMP Staff.

 Youth decide what topics and activities they what provided at Council meetings.

 Youth decide the Legislative agenda.

 Youth decide the rules/procedures/protocol for AMP.

 Youth decide who represents them at AMP-CC.

 Youth decide who they want to address and how they want the message to be presented.

 Youth decide the strengths and needs of all aspects of the system and if changes are needed.

 Youth decide how to be recognized and they will decide the criteria for recognition for the next two forms AMP is planning.

 Youth decide by vote on retreats, locations, foods provided, times of meetings, and almost every part of the scheduling process.

 Youth decide “who” to share “what” with and “when” they want to share it.

This list could go on for many more pages. The process AMP has in place is to ask youth for any and all decisions youth can make. Staff are allowed to challenge youth decisions by exposing them to different facets of an issue or through education. Even this statement was given to the Statewide Coordinator by a youth in the hiring interview where my job was defined. In short, the AMP process is to provide as many leadership opportunities as possible for AMP youth. AMP program leaders are to provide as many options as we have youth; to allow each participant to gain confidence through success at what they are good at. AMP knows one success is the foundation for the next one. We are building!

1.3.2 Performance Measures

Performance measures and targets are included as part of this Contract and will be used to assess the Contractor's performance towards meeting the desired results. The performance measures and targets included are the minimum performance expectations. If the methods or definitions in the performance measures need clarification, the Agency and the Contractor may determine definitions and methods in collaboration, with the Agency providing final approval. The performance as indicated below shall be monitored by the Contractor and performance reported semi-annually in the semi-annual report (Scope

69 of Work Section 1.3.1.5) and will drive certain questions on the youth survey (Scope of Work Section 1.3.1.5.2). At minimum, the results of this Contract are:

1. Performance Measure 1: Youth will develop an Improved Support System.

a. At least 80% of participants report the Council has informed them about supports and services, as indicated by survey response.

Answer: Surveys are due to Carol Behrer by January 30, 2012 for analysis. AMP will supply results to IDHS / Doug Wolfe as soon as they are tabulated.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ARE ATTACHED AS APPENDIX 6

b. At least 80% of participants report the Youth Council, when surveyed by the Contractor, report the Council staff understand the Foster Care System.

Answer: Surveys are due to Carol Behrer by January 30, 2012 for analysis. AMP will supply results to IDHS / Doug Wolfe as soon as they are tabulated.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ARE ATTACHED AS APPENDIX 6

2. Performance Measure 2: Youth will contribute to improvements in the Child Welfare System.

a. Youth participation in the Council will increase during each Contract year by at least five percent:

During the negotiation process the agreed upon baseline was:

Using July as our baseline month, AMP had 176 youth attending. Through the month of November, AMP has served 1,161 youth. This number does include duplicated youth if they attend both meetings per month.

1161 (total number of youth attending) / 102 (total meetings held in report period) = 11.38 youth attending/meeting which meets contract requirements.

Beginning in January 2012, the sign-in sheet will note NEW youth attending so our numbers will show the growth.

MEASUREMENT: The Contractor will measure participation using Local Council meeting sign in sheets and will utilize previous year average Council participation as a baseline.

3. Performance Measure 3: Youth Development

a. More than 50% of youth will experience a leadership role during the Contract year, as indicated by a Contractor administered youth survey question, "In the past year, has the Council given you at least one experience where you practiced leadership?"

Answer: Surveys are due to Carol Behrer by January 30, 2012 for analysis. AMP will supply results to IDHS / Doug Wolfe as soon as they are tabulated.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ARE ATTACHED AS APPENDIX 6 70 4. Performance Measure 4: Permanency

a. At least 80% of participants will identify a Significant Adult Relationship during the Contract year.

Answer: Surveys are due to Carol Behrer by January 30, 2012 for analysis. AMP will supply results to IDHS / Doug Wolfe as soon as they are tabulated.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ARE ATTACHED AS APPENDIX 6

71 ATTACHMENTS:

1. MAP OF AMP COUNCIL LOCATIONS

2. YOUTH YAK FORM

3. SEMI-ANNUAL YOUTH SURVEY

4. FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY — GENERAL

5. FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY — GUEST SPEAKER

6. PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF SATISFACTION SURVEY

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth I. E. Buckels, LMSW

AMP Statewide Coordinator

72 MAP OF AMP COUNCIL LOCATIONS

 to  indicate DHS Service Areas

USA

YSC U of I USA FO

YSS F2

IHYC FR

USA

AHFA YHFS

AHFA – American Home Finding Assoc. Ottumwa Council (not yet operational) USA – Children’s Square Cherokee Council Council Bluffs Council Sioux City Council FR – Family Resources Davenport Council F2 – Foundation 2 Nothing about us without us! Cedar Rapids Council 73 FO – Four Oaks Waterloo Council IHYC – Iowa Homeless Youth Centers Des Moines Council U of I – University of Iowa (Community Circle of Care) Dubuque Council YSS – Youth and Shelter Services Ames Council YHFS – Young House Family Services Burlington Council (not yet operational) YSC - Youth Shelter Care of North Central Iowa Fort Dodge Council AHFA – American Home Finding Assoc. Ottumwa Council (not yet operational) USA – Children’s Square Cherokee Council Council Bluffs Council Sioux City Council FR – Family Resources Davenport Council F2 – Foundation 2 Cedar Rapids Council FO – Four Oaks Waterloo Council IHYC – Iowa Homeless Youth Centers Des Moines Council U of I – University of Iowa (Community Circle of Care) Dubuque Council YSS – Youth and Shelter Services Ames Council YHFS – YoungYOUTH House Family YAK Services FORM Burlington Council (not yet operational) YSC - Youth Shelter Care of North Central Iowa Fort Dodge Council

Everyone has a special interest, something you like to do or talk about with your friends. AMP members would like to get to know you better so what can you share? We want to hear from you

Name ______

Date you would like to present?______

Subject ______

How much time do you need? ______

Will you need to use a computer? Yes No Projector? Yes No

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AMP takes pride in being youth driven so would you rather begin with:

Welcoming members and new guests? Yes No

Nothing about us without us! 74 Beginning the Hi’s & Low’s? Yes No

Reading announcements? Yes No

Being the facilitator for the first

15 minutes of the meeting and doing all of the above? Yes No

Nothing about us without us! 75 SEMI-ANNUAL YOUTH SURVEY

Council Location:______Council Facilitator:______Your Age: ______

How long have you been involved with elevate and/or AMP? ______Pretty new; only been to a few meetings/events ______Been around awhile; six to 12 months ______A veteran; involved for over a year About how often do you participate in AMP meetings/events? ______All the time – try never to miss a meeting ______About half the time ______Only occasionally – get to a meeting every now and then

Strongly Strongly Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with Agree Disagree Agree the following statements: Disagree

I feel welcome at AMP meetings and events    

I have a chance to express myself at AMP meetings    

The AMP facilitator treats me with respect    

AMP youth members treat each other with respect    

I have leadership opportunities through AMP    

I have developed new skills through AMP     AMP facilitator is knowledgeable about foster care     and child welfare issues

AMP facilitator lets youth make decisions    

   

What do you like most about coming to AMP meetings?

What do you like least about AMP?

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

Nothing about us without us! 76 FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY — GENERAL

Youth Feedback – General Meeting

Council Location:______Council Facilitator:______Your Age: ______

1.) What did you like most about today’s meeting?

2.) What did you like least about today’s meeting?

3.) What did you think of today’s speaker/group leader? (check one) ______I didn’t really like it -- I wasn’t interested at all ______It was ok – I was somewhat interested ______I really liked it – I was very interested

4.) What did you think about the topics covered or activities at today’s meeting? (check one)

______Not very interesting or directly helpful to me ______Somewhat interesting and helpful to me ______Great, very interesting and helpful to me

5.) What events and activities would you like to see in the future?

Nothing about us without us! 77 Youth Feedback – AMP Meeting

Council Location: ______Your Age: ______Your Gender: M F

Date: ______Activity or Speaker: ______

Strongly Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree Strongly Agree Disagree with the following statements about tonight’s Agree Disagree meeting:

I felt welcome at the meeting    

The adults at the meeting were respectful    

The youth at the meeting were respectful    

I had a good time at tonight’s meeting     What we did and/or discussed was interesting to     me What we did and/or discussed was important to     me

Nothing about us without us! 78 FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY — GUEST SPEAKER

Youth Feedback – Guest Speaker

Council Location: ______Your Age: ______Your Gender: M F

Date: ______Guest Speaker:______Topic: ______

Strongly Strongly Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree Agree Disagree Agree with the following statements: Disagree

The speaker was well prepared    

The topic was interesting and important to me    

The length of the presentation was good    

I had an opportunity to ask questions     I will be able to use the information presented     right away I would recommend this speaker to other AMP     Councils I would recommend this topic to other AMP     Councils

Nothing about us without us! 79 YOUTH SURVEY RESULTS DECEMBER 2011

Nothing about us without us! 80

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