Permanency Or Aging Out: Adolescents in the Child Welfare System Spring 2009 from the Editors Adolescents Infoster Care CW SSW/Cascw/Events/Adolescentsfostercare

Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare School of Social Work

CW o a comprehensive look at360 a prevalent child welfare issue:

Safety Permanency Well-Being Permanency or Aging Out: Adolescents in the Child Welfare System Spring 2009 From the Editors Adolescents inFoster Care CW SSW/cascw/events/adolescentsFosterCare/. streaming technology, visitourwebsiteathttp://cehd.umn.edu/ attending orviewingtheconferenceoverITV orthroughweb (ITV) sitesandthroughtheinternet.Formoreinformation on conference canbeattendedinperson,orviainteractivetelevision Mobile StudentsfortheMinneapolisSchoolDistrict. The Services; andElizabethHinz,LiaisonforHomelessHighly Consultant, Adolescent Services,MNDepartment ofHuman Co-Executive Of conference participants.Panelistsinclude:MichelleChalmers, service providerswhowillengageininteractivediscussionwith conference aswellapanelofcommunitypractitionersand researcher, MarkCourtney, Ph.D.,asthekeynotespeakerfor on April 22,2009at9:00am. We arepleasedtohaverenowned Studies inChild Welfare (CASCW). The conferencetakesplace to thehalfdayconferencehostedbyCenterfor Advanced As isthecaseeachyear, thispublicationactsasacompanionpiece practice. are alsoprovidedwithsolutionsandinnovationsforimproving often presentwhenworkingwithadolescentsinfostercare,they hope thatasreadersareintroducedtothecomplexities all perspectiveinthiscriticalareaofchildwelfarepractice. We and theorganizations thatservethemare includedtogiveus struggles andtriumphsfromformerfosteryouth,theirworkers, care andintoindependence.Finally, articlesdetailingthepersonal youth withdisabilitiesfaceasitbecomestimetotransitionoutof completed andthespecialchallengesthatGLBTQyouth Also includedarepracticearticles,whichreviewcurrentresearch pating fromthechildwelfaresystemandin challenges andoutcomesforyouthfromallbackgroundsemanci- CW360° everyone involvedinthelivesofadolescentsfostercare. well roundedcollectionofarticleswhichwebelievewillbene articles. Ourentireteamisexcitedtopublishthisrobustand were mindfulofthese‘truths’ aswe invited authorstosubmit them. Eachcircumstanceisdiffer ent andeachyouthunique. We members, communitymembersandprofessionalsworkingwith issues facingadolescentsinfostercare,aswellthefamily began tocreatethispub lica tion isthattherearemanycomplex adolescents inchildwelfare. What weknewtobetrueas practice approachesandresourcestoassistthoseworkingwith adolescents. The magazineisjam-packedwithinformation, of thisissueispermanencyandagingoutfostercarefor in Greetings! Welcome totheCenterfor Advanced Studies 360 Child Welfare’s secondannualissueof Executive Editor, Studies inChild Welfare Director, Centerfor Advanced Traci LaLiberte,Ph.D. o

spring 2009 presents overviewarticlesthatdescribethesuccesses, FROM THEEDITORS ﬁ cer of Ampersand Families;ClaireHill, | CW

360 o ﬁ CW360°. nding permanency. Managing Editor, Advanced Studies inChild Welfare Project Coordinator, Centerfor Elizabeth Snyder, MSW The focus ﬁ t CW 360 a singlevantagepoint. We hopethatreading are notonedimensionalandcannotbeaddressedfrom professionals andothers),researchers.Socialissues (including educators,legalprofessionals,medical providers, abroadarrayofchildwelfareprofessionals stakeholders, includingfamilies,caregivers,service child welfarepracticeandinvitesarticlesfromkey for itsrobustexaminationofanimportantissuein The publicationusesamultidisciplinaryapproach tices inakeyareaaffecting childwell-being today. information onthelatestresearch,policiesandprac- and otherhumanserviceprofessionalscomprehensive that providescommunities,childwelfareprofessionals, Child Welfare360 CW served. and well-beingforallchildrenfamiliesbeing the countrywhileworkingtowardssafety, permanency enhances thedeliveryofchildwelfareservicesacross ITV locationsand/orwebstreamingconnections. adolescentsFosterCare/default.asp fordates,times, website athttp://cehd.umn.edu/ssw/cascw/events/ will bearchivedforlaterviewing.Pleasevisitour will beavailableforviewingthroughwebstreamand interactive televisiontoover30sites. The conference held inMinneapolis,Minnesotaandbroadcastusing for eachissueof A half-dayconferencewillserveasaparallelresource cascw. published onthe Web athttp://cehd.umn.edu/ssw/ like aprintcopyore-mailversion. and phonenumber, andletusknowwhetheryou’d [email protected] giveusyourname,address,email CW be interested.Ifyou’dliketoreceiveeveryissueof regular subscribersplusotherswhomwethinkmight ...you’ve received You Maybe Wondering Why … o 360 360 o o at nocharge, call612-624-4231oremailusat Join Uson April 16th,2009 o CW ( CW CW 360 360 360 o o . We maileachissuetoour . The conferencewillbe o ) isanannualpublication

CW 360 o CW isalso 360 o

Table of Contents

. .36 . . . .32 . . . . .17 spring 2009 2009 spring ...... 6 ...... 18 o 360 ...... 26 CW

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 3 ...... 34 ...... 12 ...... 37 ...... 40 ...... 35 ...... 14 ...... 43 ...... 25 ...... 33 ...... 30 ...... 15...... eld ﬁ ...... 8 ...... 21 ...... 4...... 31 ...... 10...... 24 ...... 27 ...... 22 ...... Diane J. Dela by Michelle Chalmers, MSW

by Adrienne L. Fernandes, MPP. by by Irene Opsahl, J.D. Opsahl, by Irene ...... 23 . . . . . by y Patricia Saunders-Madison, Ph.D...... 20 ...... by Bob Friend, MSW, LCSW by Bob Friend, MSW, by Moira Szilagyi MD, Ph.D. by Moira Szilagyi MD, by Ryan Skal, MSW by Ryan ...... 16...... by Gayle McGrane, LICSW by Jennifer Ehrle Macomber by Joan Durocher ...... 28 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE by Lauren Frey, MSW, LCSW MSW, Frey, by Lauren by Sania Metzger, J.D. by Sania Metzger, by Sharon Olson and Mira Swanson by Sharon ...... 29 ...... by Madelyn Freundlich, MSW, J.D. MSW, Freundlich, by Madelyn ...... by Jody Marksamer, J.D. by Jody Marksamer, ...... by Cheryl Smithgall, Ph.D by Misty Stenslie, MSW by Claire Hill by Claire by Claudia Miller by Ben Kerman, Ph.D. and Leah K. Glasheen, MSW by Ben Kerman, Ph.D. by Anita Larson by Jessica Brandl-Hewitt Part I: Overview Part Minnesota Law on Transition from Foster Care to Adulthood from Foster Care to Transition Minnesota Law on Personal Story A Grandparent Kinship Care: Perspective The Adolescent Worker’s Population: A The Minnesota Department of Adulthood: in Care for Youth Preparing Minnesota’s Role Human Services’ Recruitment Directed Youth through Teens Permanency for Resources ...... Integrated Bibliography ...... Part IV: Resources & References IV: Resources Part Finding Permanent Homes for Teens in Care: Results of a Federal Demonstration Project in Care: Results of a Federal Teens Finding Permanent Homes for M. Ed. and Michelle Decker Gerrard, MPP, by Maggie Skrypek, MSW, As I Knew It Life Part III: Collaborations & Perspectives III: Collaborations Part The Privilege of Family Youth with Disabilities in the Foster Care System Youth Youth Transgender Permanency for of Home Care. in Out Youth Transgender and Bisexual Creating Permanency for Lesbian Gay, by Robin McHaelen, MSW Promoting Permanence for “Legal Orphans” with Disabilities b Youth Finding Permanency for the Older An Overview Project: Youth California Permanency for Youth First Place for Ampersand Families: Restoring Belonging, Dignity and Hope Part II: Practice Part The Policy Implications for Homeless and Enough? Is McKinney-Vento Youth Foster Care Should the State Parent Young Adults? Evidence from the Midwest Study Adults? Evidence from the Midwest Young Should the State Parent Ph.D MSW, by Mark E. Courtney, Matter of Choice A Aging Out? Permanence or Care Aging out of Foster Care and Health Adolescents the Need for Are Not Enough: Perspectives on Physical Safety and Permanency Aging Out of Foster Care Adolescents With Working for Well-Being a Focus on K. Leslie, MD, MPH. by Justeen Hyde, Ph.D. and Laurel About Communication Foster Care & School: It Is Adolescents in the Child Welfare System: Improving Permanency and Permanency System: Improving Welfare in the Child Adolescents Outcomes Adulthood for Preparation The Central Role of Permanence in Improving Outcomes for Youth Aging Youth Permanence in Improving Outcomes for The Central Role of Out of Foster Care Youth Foster Transitioning Policies for Federal Programs and Ahead? What’s & Kinship Care: Aging Out Youth Youth the Needs of Foster Care and Education: Meeting At the Intersection of Approaching Adulthood People in Minnesota Young Homes: Homeless Without Adulthood to Transitioning M.Ed. by Michelle Decker Gerrard, Overview Adolescents inFoster Care CW for education and training,including also receivefederal fundingforvouchers Care Awareness Project,2000). States age 21atstateoption(National Foster extended Medicaideligibility through among others),stipendsforhousing, and employment preparation,and education, health services,lifeskills, mentoring, of youthservices(including mental federal dollarstostatesfortheprovision known astheChafee Act, provides Independence Act of1999,commonly foster caretoadulthood. The FosterCare youth inmakingthetransitionfrom the criticalimportanceofassistingthese child welfarepracticehaverecognized are Waiting, 2007). Bothfederallawand percent tomorethan26,000youth(Kids 2006, thatnumberhadincreasedby50 17,000 youth“agedout”offostercare;by of fostercarehassteadilyrisen.In1998, decade, thenumberofyouthwhoageout to “independentliving.”Overthepast or leavecarethrough“emancipation” family. These youtharesaidto“ageout” they areinschool—withoutapermanent 18, butinsomestatesat19,20,or21if care attheageofmajority—usually Nonetheless, someyouthleavefoster Social Policy, 2008). living arrangement”(CenterforLawand they have“anotherplannedpermanent parents, adoption,orguardianshipthat through safereuni leave fostercarewithapermanentfamily strengthened themandatethateachyouth Increasing Adoption Act of2008have the FosteringConnectionstoSuccessand Families Act of1997and,mostrecently, care andcustody. The Adoption andSafe for childrenandyouthintheir agencies arerequiredtoachieve has beenagoalthatchildwelfare Welfare Act of1980,permanency Adoption Assistance andChild youth incare.Sincetheenactmentof being andachievepermanencyforeach these youthensuretheirsafetyandwell welfare agencieswithresponsibilityfor Federal lawmandatesthatpublicchild of HealthandHumanServices,2008). were age13orolder(USDepartment foster care,morethan190,000youth, In 2006,fortypercentofthechildrenin Madelyn Freundlich, MSW,J.D. Improving Permanency andPreparation for AdulthoodOutcomes Adolescents intheChildWelfare System 360 o

spring 2009 ﬁ cation withtheir |

age outoffoster care hassteadily risen. Over thepast decade, thenumberofyouth who services varyingsigni receive independentlivingservices,with about two- to adulthood,datahaveshownthatonly adequately prepareyouthforthetransition services thatcouldbeexpectedto dence programprovidesarangeof Although theChafeefostercareindepen- and resourcestosupportthem. adult whentheylackfamilyrelationships confront theharshrealitiesoflifeasan who thenfacelife“ontheirown”quickly Youth whoageoutoffoster careand Adulthood? Adequate Preparation ofYouth for takes place. to adulthoodandnopermanencyplanning services tosupportyouthintransitioning living” trackwherethefocusison place, oryouthareonan“independent transition toadulthooddoesnottake planning aroundyouth’s needsasthey and guardianshiparebeingexplored the optionsofreuni either ona“permanency”trackwhere are providedalongtwotracks:youth Services foryouthinfostercaretypically “independent living”servicesontheother. permanency servicesontheonehandand services foryouthinfostercarethatsilos resulted inthedevelopmentofasystem largely throughotherlegislationhas and preparationofyouthforadulthood permanency throughonesetoffederallaws This federalstructurethataddressesyouth adoption orguardianshipafterage16. who leavethepublicfostercaresystemto youth whohaveagedoutoffostercareor postsecondary trainingandeducation,for Recent evaluations ofindependentliving Center for Youth Development, 2008). youth throughage 21(NationalResource states haveextendedMedicaidcoverage to eligible youth(Courtney, 2005).Only17 to amaximumofonlyabout $1,400 per program budgetof$140million translates the states(Courtney, 2005). The Chafee fi fths ofeligiblefosteryouth fi cto, adoption cation, fi cnl among cantly Pecora etal.,2006). care peers(Courtney&Dworsky, 2005; socially isolatedthantheirnon-foster of crime;and,asagroup,theyaremore involved incrimeorbecomingthevictims insta bility; theyareatriskofbecoming experience homelessnessandhousing underemployed andfacepoverty;many problems; theyoftenareunemployedor signi their educations;theyfrequentlyhave these youthoftenstruggletocomplete Foster Care Alumni Study)foundthat Former Foster Youth andtheNorthwest Evaluation ofthe Adult Functioningof to “independentliving”(theMidwest experiences ofyouthfollowingexit Two recentstudiesthatexaminedthe discouraging hardship (Courtney&Zinn,2008). earnings, andavoidanceofeconomic as educationalattainment,employment, of successfultransitiontoadulthood,such impact onanyoftheconcreteindicators that theserviceshaveasigni conclude thatthereisnoreasontobelieve assessed outcomes,leadingevaluatorsto programs havefoundfewimpactsonany these youthfacesigni is notsurprisingresearchhasfoundthat impact ofindependentlivingservices,it to liveathome. Youth in foster care, providing them opportunitiestoreturn their childrenincluding, inmanycases, adulthood andthencontinue to support children withprogressivepreparation for adulthood. Parentstypicallyprovide their to successfuladolescenttransitions to recognized asanimportant contributor vital safetynet.Supportfrom familyis as theyapproachadulthood,lacka cultural andethnicidentities.Importantly, families, successfulworklives,andstrong and theylackmodelsforcreatingresilient belonging toafamilynetworkbrings, not havethecomfortandsecuritythat Without families,youngpeopledo for Youth inCare? Adequate Permanency Planning fi cant healthandmental out offostercareandthe ships foryouthwhoage port Given theabsenceofsup- ive familyrelation- fi ndings regardingthe fi cn challenges. cant fi cant positive Overview

c needs ﬁ spring 2009 2009 spring o 360 CW

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 5 ning so that plans for family that can support youth during the transition to adulthood? How can child welfare practice more fully engage youth in their own plan permanence and preparing the youth for adulthood meet the speci and desires of the youth? How can “independent living” programs be designed to recognize that youth in foster care cannot reasonably be expected to be “independent” at age 18 (or 21) but instead need help in developing and strengthening “interdependent” living skills? How can preparation for adulthood programs be strengthened to more meet the needs of youth in effectively foster care? How can family be fully engaged in preparation for adulthood activities? • • • Through addressing these questions, it is possible to integrate family permanence and preparation for adulthood for each youth in care — a one-track approach that holds real promise in improving outcomes for youth in care. Madelyn Freundlich, MSW, MPH, J.D., is a MSW, Madelyn Freundlich, consultant with Excal senior child welfare con- Consulting Partners. Ms. Freundlich’s tact information is mdf@excalconsulting. com or (212)371-0800, ext. 222. ed fi cation, fi and health care. The circumstances of youth who age out of care raise important questions for policymakers and practitioners: t of new families through adoption fi How can child welfare policy and practice help maintain existing supportive family relations for youth in foster care and build new relationships • them move into adulthood. In some states, them move into adulthood. In some states, youth are automatically assigned goals of “independent living” at a speci age, and all permanency planning efforts cease. In many states, when youth are on a “permanency” track of reuni adoption or guardianship, they do not receive Chafee program services to help them prepare for their lives as adults (Casey Family Services, 2008). or guardianship. To thrive, young people To or guardianship. need strong relationships with families who are committed to them and effective preparation for adulthood, including life skills development; a strong education coupled with job readiness and career planning; and access to quality housing One Track, Not Two? One Track, If outcomes for young people at risk of aging out of foster care are to improve, it is essential that youth be safely connected with their own families or have the bene t of their fi cant chal- fi Without families, young people do not have the do not have people young Without families, a family to and security that belonging comfort creating lack models for network brings, and they and work lives, successful families, resilient and ethnic identities. cultural strong an ence for youth in care. Most youth in an care live in group homes or institutions that do not provide opportunities for them to form the kind of lasting relationships with responsible adults that will help Over the past decade, improving family Over the past decade, improving family permanency outcomes for youth in foster care has become more of a priority (National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning & Casey Achieving and Family Services, 2004). sustaining family permanence for youth has prompted the development of child welfare practices that: help young people and their families cope with trauma, separation, and other challenges that can be barriers to permanence with families; fully engage youth and family in planning; reconsider the role of birth family as planning and permanency resources; and explore adoption and guardianship as viable permanency options for youth. Greater attention has been given to the role of the courts as critical decision makers in the lives of young people and families involved in the child welfare system. Nonetheless, signi birth parents’ preparation for the adult preparation birth parents’ out, these when they age world, and net of do not have the safety youth often foster By its very nature, family support. relationships with care disrupts a youth’s who Youth family. parents and extended remain, on average, age out of foster care before leaving care much longer in care compared to all (in 2004, 60.3 months) care (in 2004, children and youth exiting Are months) (Kids an average of 21.5 This extended separation 2007). Waiting, youth from the from family disconnects can provide to youth support that families the adult world. as they begin to navigate Like other young people, youth in foster care need family as they prepare to launch into adulthood: a safe place to live, food, health care, emotional support, guidance in making key decisions, emotional support, cheerleading, and celebration in good times. ing family perm- lenges remain in achiev however, do not have the bene do not have the however, Overview Adolescents inFoster Care CW Midwest Study 1 This paper isbasedonthefollowingreport:Courtney, M.E.,Dworsky, A., &Pollack,H.(2007). policymakers inimprovingprospects for age 18.Re reimbursement tostatesforfoster careat the wisdomoffederalpolicy thatends and policymakershavebegun to question In recentyears,childwelfarepractitioners the SocialSecurity Act. care throughage18under Title IV-E of reimburses statesforthecostsoffoster the federalgovernmentcurrentlyonly when youthreachtheageofmajority; relinquish theirparentalresponsibilities In allbutafewjurisdictions,states U.S., thestateceasestobetheirparent. “age out”ofthefostercaresystemin agency todoso.Putsimply, whenyouth and thejuvenilecourtcannotcompel care, theagencyisnotobligatedtodoso of servicestoyouthafterdischarge from voluntarily decidetoprovideavariety while apublicchildwelfareagencymay the youth’s careandsupervision. Thus, legal parentalresponsibilitytowards means thatthestateceasestobearany discharging ayouthtoemancipatedstatus From theperspectiveofstateagency, the youth. living, regardlessofthewishes “emancipate” themtoindependent is allowedunderstatelawto the ageatwhichpublicagency any oftheseroutes,theyeventuallyreach in out-of-homecaredonotexitvia placed inapsychiatricfacility).Ifyouth institutionalization (i.e.,isincarceratedor or movestoanothercaresystemthrough runs awayfromcareandcannotbefound, family throughadoptionorguardianship, is returnedhome,placedwithanother responsibility continuesuntilthechild to-day careandsupervision. This state is responsibleforensuringtheirday- in out-of-homecare,thepublicagency on theroleofparent. While childrenare the supervisionofjuvenilecourt,takes state publicchildwelfareagency, under and placedintoout-of-homecare,the homes duetoparentalabuseorneglect When childrenareremovedfromtheir Mark E.Courtney ,MSW,Ph.D Evidence from theMidwest Study Should theStateParent Young Adults? aspx?ar=1355. 360 o

spring 2009 ﬂ ecting continuinginterestby . Chicago:Chapin Hall CenterforChildrenattheUniversity ofChicago. The reportisavailableat:http://www.chapinhall.org/ |

ceases to betheirparent. foster care system intheU.S.,state Put simply, whenyouth “ageout”ofthe who hadenteredcarepriortotheir16 progress offosteryouthinthethreestates The MidwestStudyisfollowingthe Seattle. (POC) attheUniversityof Washington, (UWSC), andPartnersforOurChildren University of Wisconsin SurveyCenter Children attheUniversityofChicago, and Wisconsin, theChapin HallCenterfor child welfareagenciesinIllinois,Iowa, a collaborativeeffort amongthepublic care pastage18. The MidwestStudyis of extendingtheprovisionfoster of thepotentialbene (“Midwest Study”)providesevidence Functioning ofFormerFoster Youth The MidwestEvaluationofthe Adult The Midwest Study was collectedbetweenMarch 2006and years old. A thirdwaveof survey data December 2004whennearlyall were19 were re-interviewedbetween March and two percent(n=603)ofthese 732youth the youthwere17or18yearsold.Eighty- May 2002andMarch2003whenallof 732 youthinthethreestatesbetween Baseline interviewswereconductedwith for placementwasabuseand/orneglect. interviews, andwhoseprimaryreason for atleastoneyearthetimeofbaseline birthday, hadbeen inout-of-homecare federal foster caretoage21withcontinuing IV-E bygivingstatesanoptiontoextend October 2008. The newlawamends Title was signedintolawbyPresidentBushin Adoptions Act (PublicLaw110-351) Connections toSuccessandIncreasing foster youthintransition,theFostering remaining incarepast18isofbene part onwhetherpolicymakersbelievethat will exercisethisoptionmaydependin foster youth. fi nancial support. Whether states 1 fi ts tofoster youth fi When ShouldtheState CeaseParenting? Evidence from the t to t th

their 21 youth areallowedtoremainincareuntil never afterage18,whereasIllinoisfoster What doourstudy and Wisconsin. 20 monthslongerthantheirpeersinIowa youth remainedincareanaverageofover vastly different careexperiences;Illinois age 21. The differing statepoliciesleadto 53 percentof21yearoldsnationally. had completedanycollegecompared with of theyoungadultsinMidwest Study their peers.Conversely, only30percent to haveahighschooldiplomaorGEDas adults weremorethantwiceaslikelynot or aGEDbyage21.Infact,theseyoung had notobtainedahighschooldiploma of theyoungadultsinMidwestStudy their earlyadultyears.Nearlyone-quarter carry preexistingeducationalde Our datasuggestthatfosteryouthoften Higher Education the timeoftheir18 are generallydischarged fromcarearound 18. FosteryouthinIowaand Wisconsin supporting statestoextendfostercarepast examination ofthepotentialeffects of in theMidwestStudyallowsforan Policy variationacrossthestatesinvolved range ofindicatorswell-being. between ages17and21acrossabroad of fosteryouthintransitiontoadulthood Midwest Studydescribestheexperiences the youngpeoplewere21yearsold. The January 2007(n=591)whennearlyallof their 20 people inIllinoisremainedcarepast reports suggestthatmanyfosteryouth ing fostercarepastage18? regarding thepotentialbene th st the opposite;mostofyoung fi juvenile courtpast18,ourstudy public childwelfareagencyand the careandsupervisionof would notchoosetoremainunder ndings fromIllinoissuggest birthdaywithmanyremainingto birthday. While someanecdotal th birthdayandalmost fi nig suggest ndings fi article_abstract. ts ofextend- fi cits into cits Overview

rst ﬁ spring 2009 2009 spring o These statistical . 360 and 19.

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 7 ndings provide support for ts to foster youth youth foster ts to fi while controlling for the baseline characteristics of the young women in our study. Our analyses suggest that being in care is associated with a 38 percent reduction in the rate at which the young women in our study become pregnant between ages 17-18 Implications Our to implement state-level efforts Title the recent amendments of Act of the Social Security IV-E that provide federal funding for states that choose to allow young people to remain in state care wave of interviews at age 17-18 and our wave of interviews at last interviews at age 21 In order to assess the relationship In order to assess in care and the between remaining among the young timing of pregnancies we estimated a women in our study, model of the multivariate statistical between our timing of pregnancies models allow us to assess the association, models allow us to assess the association, between being in state-supervised if any, out-of-home care and becoming pregnant Mark E. Courtney, MSW, Ph.D., holds the MSW, Mark E. Courtney, Ballmer Endowed Chair in Child Well- at Being in the School of Social Work He can be the University of Washington. contacted at [email protected] or (206)221-3100 past age 18. In Illinois, where remaining past age 18. In Illinois, where remaining in care until age 21 is already an option, foster youth are more likely to pursue This policy also seems higher education. to be associated with higher earnings and As states decide to opt delayed pregnancy. in to these new provisions of federal law, it will be important to evaluate the effects of variations in how states extend foster care to young adults in order to improve policy and practice directed towards this group of young adults. The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult of the Adult Evaluation The Midwest Youth Foster of Former Functioning of evidence provides Study”) (“Midwest benefi the potential care of foster the provision of extending age 18. past cant problems, cant fi with their likelihood to remain in care and their likelihood of having earnings, we found that each additional year of care was associated with an increase of $924 in annual earnings. earnings during the 12 months earnings during interviews at age prior to our we estimated a 21. First, model of earnings statistical prior to the wave in the year three interviews, controlling of the for the characteristics assessed youth in the study as during our baseline interviews of on the effect at age 17-18 and focusing that a youth remained each additional year found We earnings. in care on their later year of care was that each additional increase in annual associated with a $470 alternative estimator earnings. Using an between remaining of the relationship in care and earnings, one that attempts to control for unmeasured differences between youth that are associated both Pregnancy Despite declining overall pregnancy rates cents, teenage pregnancy and among adoles childbearing remain signi particularly among youth in foster care. Seventy-one percent of the young women in the Midwest Study had been pregnant by age 21, and half had been pregnant by age 19; rates that are much higher than for the general population. Considerable costs are associated with teen pregnancy, both to the young women involved and to their children, implying that delayed pregnancy among female foster youth making the transition to adulthood should be considered a worthwhile goal. We chose to examine the potential rela- We in care and ship between remaining tion of each earnings by estimating the effect additional year of care on self-reported Data from the Midwest Study provide a sobering view of the employment and earnings of foster youth in transition to When interviewed at age 21 adulthood. only about half were currently working, which is lower than the employment rate Although among 21 year olds nationally. more than three-quarters of the young adults in the Midwest Study interviewed at age 21 reported having any income from their employment during the past year, earnings Median earnings were very low. among those who had been employed were just $5,450. Earnings To provide a test of the effect of allowing a test of the effect provide To age 18 on in care past youth to remain we and attainment, college enrollment percentage between states, the compared, ever been at 21 who had (1) of youth (2) had completed enrolled in college and in Youth college. at least one year of more likely (58% Illinois are 1.9 times completed at least versus 30%) to have times more likely some college and 2.2 to have completed (38% versus 17%) than their peers in one year of college also conducted We Wisconsin. Iowa and models of both multivariate statistical outcomes of these higher education of the controlling for the characteristics youth in the study as assessed during our These baseline interviews at age 17-18. analyses also show strong between-state likelihood of on the effects college participation by the foster youth in the Midwest Even after controlling Study. for observed differences in the characteristics of the the youth in our study, estimated odds of foster youth in Illinois attending college by age 21 were about four times greater than those of foster youth in Iowa and the estimated Wisconsin; odds of foster youth in Illinois having completed at least one year of college by age 21 were approximately 3.5 times higher than those of foster youth in the other two states. Overview Adolescents inFoster Care CW Permanence isabout arela tion ship tions, race andethnicheritage, culture, religion andlanguage. family, siblings,othersignifi being; andassures lifelong connections to birthandextended for physical, emotional, social,cognitive andspiritualwell- rights andsocialstatus offullfamily membership; provides tion ship thatissafe andmeantto last alifetime; offers thelegal cognitive and spiritual well-being; and cognitive and spiritual well-being;and provides forphysical, emotional,social, social statusof fullfamilymembership; last alifetime;offers thelegalrightsand relationship thatissafeand meantto about arelationship—anenduring family spans timeandplace.Permanence is that occursatapointintime. A relationship free fromharm. A placementisanevent food, provisionsandalivingenvironment ments areaboutphysicalsafety—shelter, Think relationship, notplacement to fullscale,wherecanyoustart? age outbeforepermanencyreformcomes If evenoneyouthonyourcaseloadwill make adifference today, whatcanyoudo? a caseworkerorsupervisorwhowantsto is urgent, anditwilltaketime.Ifyouare 2007, pp.5,33).Reformofthatmagnitude welfare systemtowardthatgoal(AECF, de family permanenceasaparamountand the Annie E.CaseyFoundationcallsfor In the2007KidsCountDataBookessay, (through adoptionorlegalguardianship). or reconnectionwithkin)reconstructed (through reuni majority withtheirfamilystatusrestored they leavefostercarepriortotheageof youth achievepermanence—when a choice. Aging outispreventedwhen with thestateasaparent.Butwehave of thedeepandenduringeffects oflife al., 2005). These arepainfulillustrations justice systemandmore(Courtneyet parenting, involvementwiththecriminal economic well-being,earlypregnancyand in education,employment,emotionaland youth farepoorlycomparedtotheirpeers increased risksiscompelling;agingout and permanentparenting.Dataregarding entire childhoodisspentwithoutsafe Aging outoffostercaremeansayouth’s Lauren Frey, MSW,LCSW Permanence orAgingOut?AMatterofChoice America, directing 360 fi ning goalofchildwelfareworkin o

spring 2009 ﬁ cation withabirthparent all activities of the child activities ofthechild |

. Place- cant adults,family history andtradi- the priority, pastrelationships arepreserved with aplacetolive. When “relationship”is dismissed ifthey can’t provide theyouth family membersandothercaring adultsare might disrupttheyouth’s behavior. Parents, Past relationshipsarecut-off becausethey the priority, stabilitybecomesthestandard. (Louisell, 2007,p.4). When placementis place ment andtoward connections” case workers and super visors awayfrom in fostercarewas“turningthefocusof permanent lifelongconnectionsforyouth county effort inCaliforniatoachieve One ofthegreatestchallengesamulti- language (Frey&Greenblatt,2005,p.3). and ethnicheritage,culture,religion adults, familyhistoryandtraditions,race extended family, siblings,othersigni assures lifelongconnectionstobirthand — an enduringfamily rela- fi cant cant parent evenwhenthey help identifyorsupportanotherpermanent mation, tobepartoftheplanningteam, are soughtouttoprovideessentialinfor- Family membersandothercaringadults belonging, identityandconnectedness. offer hope,meaning,purpose,motivation, within astructureofsafetybecausethey Reuni permanent parentthemselves. individual teamforeachyouth, Use ayouth-centered team. permanent, legalfamilystatus. own deservebothaplacetolive Even olderyouthwhowanttobeontheir perpetuate thestateasyouth’s parent. and IL arenotpermanencygoals;they placement orlivingsituation. APPLA (Independent Living)addressayouth’s Permanent Living Arrangement) andIL permanence. APPLA (AnotherPlanned family statusandachieve purposefully aimtoresolveayouth’s guardianship aretheonlygoalsthat agency of the Annie E. CaseyFoundation, Casey FamilyServices, thedirectservice permanency planning approachusedat central teamplayer. Inthecollaborative of theirownteam.Makethe youththe the youthtoidentifyimportant members fi cation, adoptionand legal cannot be Developan fi rst asking the the and

Overview

. cation ﬁ spring 2009 2009 spring es a concur-

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Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 9 Youth need to be prepared for need to be prepared for Youth permanent family relationships. Simply put, they need to understand what happened in transition plan without a transition plan without plan is concurrent permanency inadequate and short-sighted. prepare prepare, Prepare, ned, strengthened and supported? ned, strengthened and fi the past in order to have hope and vision the past in order to have hope and vision for the future. Five central questions What I? Who am guide this work: happened to me? How did I get separated? Where am I going? How and when will 2005, pp. 197-212). I get there? (Henry, casework is required to help Targeted youth clarify past life events and integrate multiple family relationships in order to Adults need actualize family permanence. They preparation for permanence, too. need full disclosure of information of the individual needs from the case youth’s record, from prior caregivers, from all need ample They involved professionals. opportunities to explore their unique ability to commit to this youth and to absorb the reality that permanence means no turning back. must also be prepared for adult- Youth hood. For most youth, preparation for the adult world happens in families with parents, relatives and other trusted adults as role models and teachers. Life values and life skills develop gradually and continuously throughout childhood. For youth growing up in foster care, even the most comprehensive life skills classes and the most detailed transition plans are The best way to not adequate substitutes. preparation for adulthood is assure youth’s to achieve permanence and to strengthen and support those family relationships over time. with a birth parent is not possible, who parent is not possible, with a birth open Will permanent parent? will be the it be legal pursued or will adoption be older youth living guardianship? For who will be their parent independently, that relationship be or family? How will de of aging out, any For youth at the brink rent or contingency plan. If reuni rent or contingency Every good plan also identi Every good Lauren Frey, MSW, LCSW is the Project LCSW is the Project MSW, Frey, Lauren for Permanency Services at Director Casey Family Services in New Haven, at lfrey@ can be reached Ms. Frey CT. or (203)401-6914. caseyfamilyservices.org rst fi — how cant adults, fi rst exploring fi — how youth — how youth’s — how youth’s permanence safety nding family, don’t don’t nding family, fi well-being nding efforts for youth in residential nding efforts and who loves them unconditionally. Develop a plan and a back-up plan. Every good casework plan addresses three primary areas: will be kept safe within the context of family relationships; physical and mental health, education, housing, personal employment/career, and cultural identity and life skills needs will be addressed. take “no” for an answer. If you think “this take “no” for an answer. youth has no one,” remember that family- fi located CA care in Santa Clara County, more than 220 relatives for eight youth by doing only nine hours of family search work (Campbell, et al., 2003, p. 15). If you want families,” think “older youth don’t Associated Press and MTV consider the survey on the nature of happiness among young people where “spending America’s time with family” was the top answer of more than 1,280 young people ages 2007, pp. Thompson, 18-24 (Noveck & E-1, E-4). Rarely do youth say “no” to belonging, connectedness, and someone to care about them. Rarely do they say “no” to an adult whom they come to know and trust, who reaches out to them youth will achieve a relationship with a permanent parent and sustain family connections to birth parents, siblings, extended family other signi religion and culture, race, ethnicity, language; and provide youth with a home or permanent provide youth with a home or permanent legal status as a family member. When it comes to foster parent(s) as a potential adoptive as a potential foster parent(s) legal guardian, parent or security in sense of emotional a youth’s parent(s) and the foster that relationship (Frey, and attachment sense of claiming 2007, pp. & Brenner, Cushing, Freundlich and creative 218-226). Use specialized new adoptive recruitment to identify when family or legal guardian families adults cannot members or other known ne fi If you think “older youth don’t want families,” don’t want families,” think “older youth If you and MTV survey Press the Associated consider among America’s of happiness on the nature time with “spending where people young than 1,280 answer of more was the top family” ages 18-24. people young . Permanency is cant adults (teachers, coaches, fi This team will icts and work together. fl and express their commitment to youth. Fill in the gaps that remain in a youth’s a current Consider circle of family. mentors, etc.). Then ask the same questions mentors, etc.). current or past caregivers, of the youth’s those who know him or her best. Scour case records for relationships with adults from the past. Use internet search engines and locator services. Reach out to everyone, making it personalized and being persistent — a computer-generated do. Help adults de form letter won’t Find family, build family Find family, Be collaborative, include everyone for what they can contribute, them for what they cannot exclude don’t needs for contribute. Let the youth’s permanency and well-being guide safety, team planning. Facilitate a pro-active and ing process until youth continuous team reach permanence rather than episodic or crisis-driven meetings. Build trust and strengthen relationships among all family and team members helping them resolve con not only be the primary case planning and decision-making vehicle for permanency but the basis of support for the youth and family after exiting foster care. 88% of teams for youth over the age of for youth over 88% of teams and 100% in attendance 12 had youth a say” in said they “had of those youth creative (CFS, 2008). Find decisions to have a younger children ways for too. Help them voice in team planning, the team meeting assist in developing drawings and agenda, contribute photos, to send a message to stories, or ask them adult team member. the team through an foster Join youth, birth parents, and parents, family members together other important adults the planning with professionals on Kerman team (Freundlich, Frey, p. 407). & Greenblatt, in press, “In every conceivable all about family. past, the family is link to our manner, This quote from bridge to our future.” Alex Haley underscores the supreme importance of doing family-focused work for youth in foster care. Implement to identify, and tenacious efforts targeted prepare and support family for youth. Ask youth whom they love, who loves them, to whom they want to be close and Ask about blood and legal connected. relatives, informal family members and other signi Overview Adolescents inFoster Care CW I becameadad. 1 The Annie E.Casey Foundation/Casey FamilyServices& CaseyFamilyPrograms2008,p.21. youth. safety andwell-beingforemancipating provided professionalservices to promote housing, andjobsitementoring. The law such aslifeskillsclasses,transitional preparation andtransitionalprogramming additional resourcesforlife skills Care Independence Act of1999)allocated landmark Chafeelaw(Title IoftheFoster Recognizing thesechallenges,the depictions (Children’s Bureau,2008). the statesareaddingtothesecompelling Courtney, etal., 2007).Newstudiesfrom legal andpsychiatricproblems(e.g., supports, earlyparenting,andincreased achievement, greaterrelianceonincome lower educationalandemployment increased likelihoodofhomelessness, youth agingout,identifythenegatives: (1990), aswellmorerecentresearchon Children inLife Course Perspective and Fanshel,Finch,Grundy’s Festinger’s communities. Suchland mark researchas youth. themselves incareers,families,and steep challengestoestablishing emancipating Studies showyouthagingoutface about up studieshighlightconcerns Years ofexperienceand follow- Cause for Concern is increasinglyapparent. permanence inimprovingadultoutcomes toward permanenceandthepivotalroleof gathering, ayouth’s needforanddrive care. Though farlesssubjecttoevidence especially foryouthagingoutoffoster are themostresearchedandmeasured well-being, andpermanency–the children andyouthinfostercare–safety, aging outofcare.Ofthetriadgoalsfor family connectionstoooftenevadeyouth just asstrong,nurturing,andenduring too oftenevadeschildwelfareresearchers, permanence forolderyouthinfostercare A clearunderstandingofthemeaning I Ben Kerman,Ph.D.andLeah K.Glasheen,MSW for Youth AgingOutofFoster Care The Central Role ofPermanence inImproving Outcomes 360 Ineededafatheruntil didn’t realize howmuch o

spring 2009 No OneEver Asked Us | 10 1

ﬁ rst two (1984) Foster children andfamilies. forfocus . a . . improvingoutcomesfor The journey toward permanence provides

residential stability, deepen emotional IL, familyconnectionsthat increase family relationshipsmaybekey tobetter connections. While servicesthatimprove Life skillsarenosubstitute for family Understanding Permanence (Kerman, Wild resources andyouthdecliningthem lem, withstatesfailingtotapavailable states’ underutilizationwasamajorprob- unused. EvaluationsofChafeeidenti programs. First,IL resourcesaretoooften well-intentioned IndependentLiving(IL) Two problemssurfacedearlyevenin and integratebene suggests, becauseefforts failedtosolidify They didn’t succeedinlarge part,he and teachskillsinaclassroomsetting. attempts tocreatementoringrelationships (2008a, 2008b)reviewedtworecent (GAO, 1999,2004&2007).Courtney many programsarenoteffective enough to assistyouthdevelopbasic Opportunity Initiatives’ (2008)efforts For instance, The JimCasey Youth development withfamilysupport. to showtheneedintegrateindividual ships. Likewise,evidenceisbeginning Chafee: enduring,supportiverelation- foster carehaveaneedunforeseenin Research suggestsmanyyouthexiting Crosland, inpress/2009). life skillsandpermanencework(Clark& and pointstothepromiseofintegrating of programswithdemonstratedresults review ofIL research lamentsthedearth parenting relationships.Indeed,arecent (Schoeni &Ross,2004). not his orhertwenties,andthat’s foryouth crucial toayouth’s successwellinto relational supportsfromfamilyareoften to adulthoodshowsthatmaterialand ions. Likewise,researchonthetransition report havingsupportivefamilycon nect - skills aremostsuccessfulwhenyouth involvedinthechildwelfaresystem fi re&Barth,2004).Second, fi ts inherent inongoing fi nancial fi ed reuni being, andpermanence.Forinstance, the perfectbalanceamongsafety, well- However, nosinglemetriccanstrike outcomes. the interrelationshipsamongthesevalued longitudinal researchmayhelpelucidate ancillary andfamilysupports.Additional revealed thesuccessesoffostercarerichin 2002). Morerecently,Kessleretal.(2008) supports (Kerman,Barth,&Wild foster careandhighqualityfamily similar tothosewhoreceivedextended who wereadoptedhavebeenfoundtobe and self-suf among theyouth.Elsewhere,well-being can fullyruleoutpreexistingdifferences measures offamilyconnectionqualityand instance, studiesseldomincludedirect design andmeasurementlimitations.For foster careareoftenambiguousdueto adopted childrenwiththoseinhighquality sons ofoutcomemeasuresforreuni well-being. Indeed,head-to-headcompari- it maynotuniversallyimprovesafetyor accomplish severallaudablegoalsthough out offostercareandintofamiliescan to youthdevelopment.Movingchildren guardianship showbene working. Similarly, adoption can bring high school,graduatingcollege, and youth achievegoalssuchascompleting want ofresourcesorabilities, can’t help struggles foryouthwhoseparents, for cultural identity. Butitmayalsoprolong minimize stateintrusionandconsolidate Studies ofadoption,reuni and well-beingarerelated. understanding ofhowpermanence,safety, and thecurrentresearchbasecloudour time, shortcomingsinconceptualclarity in betteradultoutcomes. At thesame distance, shortcircuitreentry, andresult may besolutionsmorelikelytogothe security, andcementfamilybonds fi cation isavaluedoutcomethatcan (Trisiolitis, 2002)thoughnone adopted oftenfavortheadoptees foster careagainstthosewhowere outcomes forchildreninlongterm type. Studiespittingpermanence never randomlyassignpermanency fi ciency outcomesforchildren fi ts and fi cto, and cation, challenges fi ed or fi re, Overview spring 2009 2009 spring o 360 nding programs, fi CW

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 11 permanency (for more on CFSRs permanency (for more strategies, and family involvement 2008). see Munson & Freundlich, If child welfare systems make a poor parent even in good times, the current economic woes stressing our and evaluation of kinship navigator of kinship and evaluation family programs, and parent/ meetings, family involvement programs. treatment child residential planning mandates transition The act to youth aging out meetings 90 days prior to articulate the need (unfortunately failing building). to support family relationship innovation are the Another spur to practice Service Reviews federal Child and Family performance states’ (CFSR), which track and achieving involving families safety net make for even poorer parents. As we examine child welfare programs with a critical eye in search of program time improvement and cost reduction, it’s to focus on results and use permanence as a driver for better child outcomes. Ben Kerman, Ph.D. directs the Research the Research Ben Kerman, Ph.D. directs and Evaluation Department at Casey service agency of Family Services, the direct E. Casey Foundation. He may be Annie the at bkerman@caseyfamilyservices. reached or (203)401-6900. org is Senior Leah K. Glasheen, MSW, Associate at Casey Family Information service agency of the Services, the direct Annie E. Casey Foundation. She may be at lglasheen@caseyfamilyservices. reached or (203)401-6961.org ts and cation. fi fi eld & Oetjen, fi nancial supports nancial fi nding and noti fi 2005). Policy changes now in process 2005). Policy changes testing several opportunities for offer for organizing permanence as a framework and prioritizing child welfare services relationship building. as partnerships between child welfare between child as partnerships promise. the courts, also offer systems and success in is the courts’ One example and to speed adjudication using mediation length, reduce placement permanence, outcomes and increase kin permanency Litch (Gatowski, Dobbin, Through new, admittedly small Family admittedly Through new, Connections grants, it will support testing Practice Enhancements Practice Fostering Connections will similarly change child welfare practice by requiring more family Law and Policy The Fostering Connections to Success Act of 2008 Adoptions and Increasing provides several tools for prioritizing The bill gives states family connections. the option of extending to kin providers and older youth. It to kin providers and older youth. It includes new mandates for notifying kin, analyzing the use of kin foster care, and explaining foster care bene requirements to kin. It requires siblings to requirements to kin. It requires siblings to be placed together whenever possible and that, when separated, sibling connections be supported. The child welfare system makes a poor a poor makes system The child welfare woes economic With the current parent. for make net, states our safety stressing parents. poorer even ghting fi Leaping Forward For researchers, this framework presents ships, emotional tion real challenges. Rela are not easy to and permanence security, measure or describe, but strategies for reaching each can be piloted and tested. For example, a variety of model programs use family teaming to involve youth and Team families (e.g., Permanency Teaming, Decision Making, Family Group Decision Making). Co-investment strategies, such Much of adult resilience results from Much of adult resilience results from continuous relationships, tolerance of limit testing, and a sense that family will “be there no matter what.” Family is critical for psychological development, as both mediator and source of challenging experiences and resources for successful navigation of adulthood. In this sense, the pursuit of enduring relationships, alongside support services, provides a framework for permanency oriented child welfare services, and the journey toward permanence provides a focus for improving outcomes for children and families. chance and include any needed supports chance and include any needed supports The search for for the youth and family? permanence, including a reliable, lifelong parenting relationship and the opportunity to maintain contact with family and other important people, is described by youth and foster alumni as a core need to be balanced with the simultaneous need for independence (Samuels & Pryce, 2008). Placing Permanency at the Center Placing Permanency poor outcomes Research describing suggests an alter- for youth aging out attention to native: sustained, intense to permanence. relationships en route systems understood What if child welfare key to permanence; that relationships are within what if they did everything and build their power to identify The type of those relationships? reached for permanence outcome any given youth is important but so are two related considerations. First, are youth and their families fully involved in decisions to expand resources, build connections, and solidify emotional permanence? Second, does the permanence plan have a long-lasting relationships and resources, relationships and long-lasting parents, means a break with but often and and racial, ethnic, extended family, language heritage. Overview Adolescents inFoster Care CW through anadoption,a efforts to When thisisnotpossible,thestatemakes successfully andsafelywiththeirparents. state fundstofacilitatechildrenreuniting foster care. The agencyusesfederaland the guardianforchildreninout-of-home the supervisionofcourt,servesas The statechildwelfareagency, under Federal Child Welfare Policy justice systems. This articlebrie through thepublicwelfareorcriminal return tothecareofstateasadults negative outcomesandmayultimately those whoageoutarevulnerableto recognized thatolderyouthincareand The federalgovernmenthaslong by AdrienneL.Fernandes, M.P.P. Federal Programs andPolicies for Transitioning Foster Youth all children the safety, permanence,andwell-beingof policies establishedinlawthatpromote to receiveIV-E funds,statesmustfollow home; andplacementsetting.However, income, assets,andfamilystructureinthat 18 whomeetcertaineligibilitycriteria: and roomboardtochildrenuntilage the costofprovidingcasemanagement foster care,reimbursesstatesforapartof mary federalfundingsource, Title IV-E permanent livingarrangement. The pri- tive, alegalguardian,oranotherplanned this population. recent legislationtoimprovesupportsfor care andconsiderstheimplicationsof programs toassistolderyouthinfoster discusses themajorfederalpoliciesand to provideservices thatwillprepareyouth under Title IV-E in 1999 (P.L. 106-169) The ChafeeProgram wasauthorized Independence Program(Chafee Program). foster careistheChafeeFoster Care to assistyouthexpectedage outof majority. At thecenteroffederalpolicies out uponreachingastate’s legal ageof while theyareincare,somechildren age Despite efforts to also takeintoaccounttheseservices. and thepermanencyplanhearingmust for thetransitiontoindependentliving, services thatwillhelpthechildprepare include adescriptionoftheprogramsand 16 orolder, thewrittencaseplanmust youth. Where appropriate,for achildage case reviewprocedurespertaintoolder 360 o

spring 2009 fi nd apermanent andsafehome in care.Speci fi nd apermanenthome | fi t andwillingrela- 12

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of ChildWelfare Figure 1:Select Federal Supportsfor Transitioning Foster Youth Outside suf own efforts toattainself that supplementyouth’s have developedprograms and othersources,states from theChafeeProgram grams. Withfunding independent livingpro- fl and gavestatesgreater independent livingservices the populationofyoutheligibletoreceive to $140million. The lawalsoexpanded to statesforindependentlivingactivities and doubledtheannualfundsavailable dent LivingProgram,establishedin1985, Program replacedtheformerIndepen- system uponemancipating. The Chafee for livingoutsideofthechildwelfare living programscan exibility indesigning care atage13oroldertoclaim Education: other “reasonablecategory.” eligibility fortheseyouthbasedonincomeorresources, Title IV-E eligibility, orany 18th birthday. Commonlycalled the the ageof21whowasinfostercareunderresponsibilitystateonhisorher Medicaid: appropriated $20 millionfornewFUP vouchers, includingforformerfosteryouth. who leftfostercare atage16oroldereligiblefor thevouchers.ForFY2008,Congress Amendments to theprogramin2000underP.L. 106-337made youthages18to21 and whoareatriskofseparation orhaveseparatedbecauseofinadequatehousing. 1990 underP.L. 101-625forfamiliesthatqualifySection8 tenant-basedassistance Housing: investment boards. funding to federal for out-of-schoolyouth. acquire occupationalskills,aswellonprovidingtrainingand supportiveservices program focusesonpreventativestrategiestohelpin-schoolyouth stayinschooland including theirparents’ can typicallyaccessgreaterfederaleducationassistancebecausetheyareexemptfrom have beenincareorthereasonforexitingcare.Studentswhoclaimindependentstatus WIA’s demonstrationauthority, the that helpsstudentslearnatrade,completetheirGED,andsecure employment.Under and formerfosteryouthintheirteensearlytwenties. The WIA Two oftheseprogramstarget low-incomevulnerableyoungpeople, includingcurrent FY2003, Congresscontinuestoappropriatefundingfor WIA jobtrainingprograms. Workforce: fi cec. Independent ciency. fi nancial aid nancial

Family Uni P.L. 106-169permitsstatestomakeeligibleforMedicaidanyyouthunder As ofJuly2009,P.L. 110-84 willenableyouthwhoare(orwere)infoster fi ve statestoprovideservicesfosteryouththrough theirworkforce Although the Workforce Investment Act (WIA,P.L. 105-220)expiredin . The actdoesnotspecifythe lengthoftimethatthechildmust fi fi cto Program cation nancial information. Job Corps health activities,amongotherservices. fi exploration, train ing indaily livingskillsand obtaining ahighschooldiploma, career living programs can includeassistance in efforts to attain selfsuffi programs thatsupplement youth’s own and othersources, states have developed With fundingfrom theChafee Program nancial managementskills,preventative Foster Youth DemonstrationProject independent studentstatus isaneducationalandvocationaltrainingprogram Chafee Option ( FUP) vouchers ing indailylivingskillsand school diploma,careerexploration,train- include assistanceinobtainingahigh Family ServicesPlanhowtheywillcarry must describeintheir eligible forChafeeProgramfunds,states activities, amongotherservices. To be management skills,preventativehealth , thelawallowsstatestorestrict wereinitiallycreatedin ciency. Independent

when applyingfor ﬁ ve-year Childand Youth Activities hasprovided ﬁ nancial

Overview

ed fi spring 2009 2009 spring o nition of “child fi 360 cant share of youth cant fi CW

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 13 birthday may be challenging. birthday may th Continued on page 38 While states may decide to take up the may decide to take While states youth ages foster care to option to extend in care actually keeping youth 18 to 21, after their 18

In a recent study, researchers identi study, In a recent reasons why a signi do not remain in some parts of Illinois policies that state’s in care despite the stay in state custody encourage youth to Claussen, Bell, Zinn, until age 21 (Peters, These reasons 2008). & Courtney, Goerge factors, a lack of included, among other about laws awareness and understanding in care, limited that allow youth to remain for youth, supportive adult relationships that there are the belief by social workers few placements available for older youth, and resistance by the youth and other stakeholders to keep young people in later what about youth who care. Further, decide to return to care because of the challenges they face living on their own? The new law does not specify whether a youth would be eligible to re-enter care he and under which circumstances, if any, or she could return. the Fostering Connections to Finally, Act Adoptions Success and Increasing of 2008 amends the de care institution” to allow states to seek reimbursement for older youth living in a supervised independent living setting. The law directs HHS to clarify what this means through the rulemaking process. “Independent living” may infer a variety of settings, including scattered site apartments, group homes, and boarding The term “supervised” is also homes. open to interpretation and could refer only to monthly case worker visits, as currently foster youth in States with required by law. independent living settings would need to consider several issues: Should the child welfare agency purchase independent living units or contract with organizations that provide housing? How much share of should youth the rent and utilities, if any, what extent would the youth be To cover? responsible if he or she violated the terms c fi Recent research suggests that youth that youth suggests research Recent as age 20 as late in care who remain transition an easier experience to tend adulthood than their counterparts to at age 18. who emancipate birthday (or birthdays of th st , or 21 th , 20 th ned by HHS in regulation); fi options on housing, education, and other services. the 19 youth in states that extend foster youth in states that behalf foster care), on whose payments are care maintenance living being made or independent services are provided, the youth’s caseworker (and as appropriate, other stakeholders) assist and support him or her in developing a youth-directed transition plan that includes speci extends the population eligible for population eligible extends the services to include Chafee Program foster care to adoption youth exiting at age 16 or or kinship guardianship age 16 or older older and makes youth guardianship who exit to kinship program; and eligible for the ETV 90-day period requires that during the 18 prior to a youth’s living settings (these settings are to be (these settings are living settings de • • Implementation of the New Law of the New Implementation The new law raises questions about implementation. Perhaps the most pressing issue states will need to address is whether to extend foster care to youth beyond age 18, as most states currently do not facilitate older youth remaining in care. Recent research suggests that youth who remain in care as late as age 20 tend to experience an easier transition to adulthood than their counterparts who emancipate at age 18 (Courtney, Dworsky & Pollack, 2007). By authorizing states to seek partial IV-E Title reimbursement through the program, the Fostering Connections to Act may encourage more states Success to provide foster care to these older states will likely need youth. However, to consider the cost burden and other factors. States would incur some of the cost of providing extended care for youth who as well as IV-E Title are eligible for for their requisite Medicaid coverage. Whether states would also pay the full costs for youth who do not receive federal maintenance payments remains to be seen. youth ineligible for federal foster Further, care would not automatically be eligible most ineligible for Medicaid; however, children currently in care receive Medicaid through another pathway. ned fi cant changes fi have a documented or Congress enacted several laws th authorizes, beginning in FY2011 and authorizes, beginning in FY2011 at state option, federal reimbursement for foster care maintenance payments made on behalf of eligible foster youth until age 19, 20, or 21 who are either working (at least on a part-time basis), in school, or participating in a program to reduce barriers to employment, health condition that prevents them from participating in these activities; and authorizes, beginning in FY2011 subsidies on IV-E Title at state option, behalf of youth 18 or older who left foster care after age 16 for adoption or kinship guardianship, and who meet the criteria described above; enables states to seek reimbursement for youth ages 18 or older who remain in foster care at state option and are placed in supervised independent • • • The Fostering Connections to The Fostering Adoptions and Increasing Success Act of 2008 The 110 by the Higher Education Act of 1965. by the Higher Education Separately, in 2002, Congress passed the Separately, Amendments Safe and Stable Families the 107-133) that amended of 2001 (P.L. discretionaryChafee Program to authorize Education andfunding for a new Chafee The (ETV) program. Voucher Training worth up toprogram provides vouchers who are eligible$5,000 annually to youth services or werefor Chafee Program at age 16 or older. adopted from foster care for the costThe vouchers are available of full-time or part-time attendance at an institution of higher education, as de out their independent living program independent living out their that they meet requirements and certify and how to the youth served pertaining spent. funding is intended to support current and former foster youth in making the transition reaching the most far Arguably from care. legislation for this population since the law that established the Chafee Program is the Fostering Connections to Success and Act of 2008 (P.L. Adoptions Increasing Enacted on October 7, 2008, 110-351). the new law makes signi to federal child welfare provisions and addresses some of the concerns raised in congressional hearings about the need to The law: better support older foster youth. Overview Adolescents inFoster Care CW involve ment, theirownsigni teens, oftenasaresultofjuvenilejustice mal treatment. Otherswereplacedas care priortoadolescenceasaresultof (Simms, 2000).Someenteredfoster educational andrelationshipproblems dental, mentalhealth,developmental, because oftheirhighprevalencemedical, by the American Academy ofPediatrics population withspecialhealthcareneeds Foster careyouthareconsideredtobea 2008; Kerman,2002;Pecora,2000). as emancipatedrefugeeminors(Berzin, teens, andthosewhoenteredfostercare health issues,pregnantorparenting educational achievement,majormental criminal justicesystem,limited ongoing involvementwiththe group andincludethosewith of 18and21yearsareadiverse out offostercarebetweentheages care, amongothers. Youth aging placements bothbeforeandduringfoster loss experiencesthatmayincludemultiple abuse orcriminalactivity;separationand in theformofmentalillness,substance domestic violence;parentalimpairment child abuseandneglectexposureto combination of:traumaintheformof 2007). These adversitiesincludesome experiences (Cook,2005;Cook, are rootedinmultipleadversechildhood adults whoageoutoffostercareannually The healthissuesofthe20,000young Moira SzilagyiM.D.,Ph.D. Adolescents AgingoutofFoster Care andHealthCare insurance to being uninsured. This care; and,often, fromhavinghealth mental health services toadulthealth education; frompediatrichealth and high schooltoemployment or higher accompanied byothertransitions: from Emancipation fromfoster care is maltreatment. and mayalsohaveasigni risk behaviorsorparentalabandonment, and relationship problems. health, developmental, educational prevalence ofmedical, dental, mental of Pediatrics because oftheirhigh care needsbytheAmerican Academy be apopulationwithspecialhealth Foster care youth are considered to 360 o

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cant historyof fi cn high cant and, therefore, ofemancipatingyouth. health needofadolescents infoster care Mental healthisthesingle over whelming McMillen, 2005; Wertheimer, 2002). 2000; McCann, 1996;McMillen,1999; (Barth, 1999; Landsverk, 2007;Leslie, and, therefore,ofemancipating youth health needofadolescentsin foster care Mental healthisthesingleoverwhelming after admit toalcoholorillicitsubstance use 2006). Between10and50%ofalumni (Kushel, 2007;Courtney, 2004;Courtney, homelessness afterleavingfostercare for youngwomenwhoalsoexperience a child.Pregnancyratesareover50% care, 42%arepregnantorhavefathered Within ashorttimeofleavingfoster because ofhighrisksexualactivity. and forsexuallytransmittedinfections exiting careareatriskforsubstanceabuse (Steele, 2008;McCann,1996). Youth vision problems(8%);andasthma(6%) (18% useprescriptioncontraceptives); disease (34%);reproductivehealthneeds overweight (59%)orobese(21%);dental adolescents infostercareinclude:being care. The majorphysicalhealthissuesof their healthneedsasadolescentsinfoster have agedoutoffostercarelargely re The healthneedsofyoungadultswho and agreedtoparticipateinastudy. some periodoftime,couldbecontacted, young adultswhowereinfostercarefor based onnon-representativesamplesof 2007). Ingeneral,thestudiesthatexistare sampling (Mason,2003;Landsverk, term longitudinalstudieswithade quate as therearenowell-designed,long- being offostercarealumniislimited Information aboutthehealthandwell- leavingfostercare(Mason,2003). Reilly, 2003). (English, 2006;Kerman,2002; fraught withmajordif skills foremployment,itis relationships, education,and of familyandsecurelong-term who oftenlackthesafetynet youth agingoutoffostercare, for allyouth(Park,2006).For transition periodischallenging fi culties fl ect

(Dworsky, 2005). hovers aroundthefederalpoverty level barriers forapopulationwhose income care systemcreatetremendous access challenges ofnavigatingacomplex health emancipation. The costofco-paysandthe period oftimewithin18monthsafter of alumniareuninsuredforatleastsome Medicaid ExpansionOption.Fiftypercent the FosterCareIndependence Act As of2005,onlytenstateshadenacted services (English,2003;English,2006). youth havepooraccesstohealthcare problems, uptoonehalfofemancipated Despite thehighprevalenceofhealth 2002). health andproblems(Wertheimer, victimization, unplannedpregnancy, mental substance abuse,high-risksexualbehavior, in turn,associatedwithhigherratesof 1995; Kushel,2007).Homelessnessis, 18 monthsofdischarge fromcare(Roman, (14%) andhousinginstability(39%)within high percentageexperiencehomelessness 2003) and maintenance of employment 2003) andmaintenanceofemployment completion (Blome,1997;McMillen,1999, negative implicationsforeducational emancipating fromcare.Bothhave 2000), whichcontinuetoplaguethose especially PTSDanddepression(Pecora, and inincreasedmentalhealthproblems, emotional regulation,problem-solving de Childhood traumaisassociatedwith psychotropic medication. one thirdleavescareonatleast (Halfon, 1992;Reiff, 2000). About at rates10-15timesthatoftheirpeers foster careusementalhealthservices Multiple studiesindicatethatyouthin of mentalhealthissuesaround90%. history ofgroupcarehadaprevalence issue whileinfostercare;thosewitha About 70%hadatleastonementalhealth ﬁ cits inattention,abstractreasoning, Several studies have shown that a Several studieshaveshownthata living (Cook,2005;Cook,2007). negotiate thedemandsofdaily maintain stablehousingandto adversely impacttheabilityto (Dworsky, 2005),which,inturn, Continued onpage 38 Overview

nd fi nancial ts for fi fi spring 2009 2009 spring o 360 ts for youth in ts fi CW

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 15 cally, if the family receives if the family cally, fi disincentives to adopt or nancial fi adopted youth or youth exiting to guardianship with a relative eligible for independent living services and education and training vouchers, and gives states the option to use for kinship funds federal title IV-E guardianship payments. permanent loving families and make successful transitions to adulthood, goals which have eluded child welfare practice for too long. youth. Yet few foster youth are in them Yet youth. compared to other children. It would seem important to consider what it would take for more young people in foster care to live with kin caregivers and to ensure they receive the supports they need. Research also suggests that kin are a promising potential permanency resource legislation, by The FCSIAA for youth. supporting guardianship payments and continuing services to youth in guardianship arrangements, presents a promising opportunity to help more youth support to kin who accept permanent support to kin who of related children legal guardianship there However, instead of adopting them. may be take guardianship depending on the state and the circumstances of the case (Geen, 2003). Speci more supports and services through long- term foster care, relative caregivers may The elect not to adopt or take guardianship. most recent 2008 Fostering Connections Act Adoptions to Success and Increasing (FCSIAA) took several steps to enhance permanency options for youth and should have particular bene The law doubles incentive kinship care. payments for older child adoptions, makes Overall, research suggests that kin placements may have bene when children live with kin (Geen, 2003). live with kin (Geen, when children be hesitant to adopt Some kin also may want to disrupt the because they do not parents youth’s relationship with the permanency promising A (DHHS, 2005). care that does not option for youth in kinship is guardianship. disrupt these relationships ongoing Guardianship provides Jennifer Ehrle Macomber is a Senior Associate at the Urban Institute. Research at jmacomber@urban. She can be reached or (202)261-5369.org nds Kin nds kin nds fi In 2006, only 32,000 youth ages In 2006, only 32,000 cation is not possible. Research cation is not possible. are willing to adopt if they are provided with accurate information and continued Shook, Testa, 2001; payments (Testa, 1996; Geen, 2003). Of Woods, Cohen, & is that child welfare concern, however, agencies often pursue permanency less vigorously and view termination of parental rights (TPR) as less necessary found, they are effectively supported found, they are effectively as caregivers especially for youth who need extra supports in transitioning to adulthood. Research suggests that kin caregivers often receive fewer services and monitoring by child welfare agencies The extent to which youth (DHHS, 2000). in kinship care might also receive fewer independent living supports might be further examined. do kin play in permanency? What role 12 to 20, or 14 percent, lived in kinship 12 to 20, or 14 percent, while 35 percent of family foster homes, homes, institutions, youth lived in group living (United or supervised independent Health and Human States Department of About a third Services [DHHS], 2008). of children in all other age groups lived with kin. It should be noted that these data represent a point in time: a higher percentage of youth may spend time at This some point in the care of a relative. low percentage of youth placed with kin occurs despite recent pushes by states to make kin placements a priority and reporting a lack of placement resources as one of the top barriers in serving youth A Ansell, & Newman, 2004). (Winkle, kin are when related issue is whether, can be an important resource in helping youth to achieve permanency when reuni- fi women who lived in foster or kinship care lived in foster or kinship women who Davidson, & Steiner, Clyman, (Carpenter, 2001). sought and kin being effectively Are for resources supported as placement youth? A groundbreaking new study fi new study A groundbreaking children placed with relatives early in early relatives with placed children behavior prob- fewer have their care children than years three after lems care. in non-kin foster placed ts. fi nds fi cally, cally, fi cial to youth fi A groundbreaking new A nds youth in foster care worry fi nds children placed with nds children fi cant attention to two issues: youth fi nds that youth in relative foster care are One study more about their futures than youth living with kin, suggesting kin might provide some reassurance to youth about future Another study support (Iglehart, 1995). fi more likely to be employed two years after exiting care in Illinois than youth in group Additionally, et al., 2002). homes (Goerge while some critics of kinship care fear children may do worse, evidence suggests for at least some outcomes youth in kinship care and foster care are comparable. For example, employment outcomes at age 24 are similar for youth in relative and non-relative foster care (Macomber et And while new research al., 2008). that a striking 55 percent of women who age out of foster care have a baby by age 21 (Courtney et al., 2007), another study in high-risk sexual shows no difference behavior and adolescent pregnancy for relatives early in their care have fewer behavior problems after three years than children placed in non-kin foster little While care (Rubin et al., 2008). of research is available on the effects kin placements on youth speci what is known hints at potential bene Are kin placements bene kin Are aging out of foster care and the growing use of kinship care as a placement option for children in foster care. Integrating current and prior research on what we know about these two issues, this essay examines three questions that might frame future discussions. well-being? study In the last two decades child welfare research, and practice has devoted policy, signi Youth Aging Out & Kinship Care: What’s Ahead? What’s Kinship Care: Aging Out & Youth Macomber Jennifer Ehrle Overview Adolescents inFoster Care CW care notonlyfail toclosetheachievement scores forelementary students,studentsin to alongitudinal analysisofreadingtest who havenotbeeninvolved. According grade” isnearlytwiceashigh theirpeers child welfaresystemwhoare “oldfor proportion ofchildreninvolved withthe peers manifestasearly child welfareandtheirnon-involved Differences betweenyouthinvolvedin Educational Status In thisarticle,wereviewkey Over thepast successful adulthood. tric ably linkedwith inex- is achie vement them. Educational together tosurmount the needtowork to independenceandadulthoodof might thwarttheirsuccessfultransition the needtounderstandobstaclesthat school systemsareincreasinglyawareof prospects. Childwelfareagenciesand their educationalhistoriesandemployment challenges, particularlywithrespectto foster careeachyearfaceformidable The nearly24,000teenswhoageoutof Smithgall,Ph.D. Cheryl Meeting theNeedsofYouth Approaching Adulthood At theIntersection ofFoster Care andEducation: settings. the leastrestrictiveandmostsupportive of childrenwithbehaviorproblemsin systems to both thechildwelfareandeducation and school.Itisespeciallyimportantfor before andaftertheyenterfostercare available, orunavailable,toyouthboth the needtoexploresupportsthatare and policyimplications. We underscore to broadenthediscoursearoundpractice from thesestudiesandhighlighttheneed & Howard,2007) Yang, &Goerge, 2005;Skyles,Smithgall, & Courtney, 2004;Smithgall,Gladden, (Smithgall, Gladden,Howard,Goerge, care —andinvarioustypesofplacements entering, in,exiting,oragingoutoffoster substantiated maltreatmentonlyandthose the childwelfaresystem—thosewith varying degreesofinvolvementwith ences ofchildreninIllinoiswhohave educational experi- has examinedthe years, ChapinHall 360 o

spring 2009 ﬁ nd waysto meet theneeds ﬁ . ve | 16

as theirpeers whohave notbeeninvolved. who are “oldfor grade” isnearly twice ashigh children involved withthechildwelfare system as early asﬁ welfare andtheirnon-involved peers manifest Differences betweenyouth involved inchild

fi rst grade;the fi ndings rst grade; theproportion of enrollment among youthwhoremain school completion andcontinuedschool (2007) showhigher proportionsofhigh Cusick, Havlicek,Perez,and Keller greater. However, Courtney, Dworsky, of incarcerationweretwotothree times child welfareinvolvedpeers, andrates years waslessthanhalfthatof theirnon- who graduatedfromhighschool after The proportionofyouthinfostercare The Benefi (ED) classi emotional disturbance (ages 12-17)with older studentsincare well. The proportionof as prevalent are Behavioral problems changes. of carereported (2004), overathirdofyouthagingout According toCourtney, Terao, andBost moves inthesameacademicyear. home oftenexperiencemultipleschool initially placedinashelterortemporary they enterfostercare,andyouthwhoare thirds ofstudentschangeschoolswhen have highratesofschoolmobility. Two- Children infostercarewerealsofoundto fall evenfurtherbehindbyage13. age 8,butiftheyremainincare,may gaps thatseparatethemfromtheirpeersat education. hospitalized furtherdisruptingtheir placed injuveniledetention,and/orwere away fromtheirplacements,were in carewithanEDclassi classi dren incarewithnospecialeducation 15% ofolderchil- In oneacademicyear, ranges from20-25%. fi cation and33%ofolderchildren ts ofRemaininginCare fi cations fi ve ormoreschool need to move successfully into adulthood. of coordinated supportthatfoster children systems isessential to providing thekind efforts. Bringingtogether staff ofthesetwo connected ness oftheirresponsibilities and and schoolpersonnel needto recognize the Most important, case workers, foster par ents, fi cto ran cation fi ve special education classi trajectories, schoolmobility rates, and Being retainedinagrade,reading score their non-childwelfare-involved peers. similar tochildreninfostercare thanto ma nent placementsappearedmore and thosewhoexitedfostercare toper- a recordofsubstantiatedmaltreatment our studies,non-fostercarechildrenwith On manyacademicout comes assessedin child welfareandeducationsystems. before andaftertheyenterexitthe of (andsupportsavailableto)children but notinfostercareandtheexperiences involved withthechildwelfaresystem should encompasstheneedsofyouth policy development. This discussion needed toinformresearch,practice,and between childwelfareandeducationis A broadeneddiscussionoftheintersection how thislegislationwillbeimplemented. of fostercare.Itisnotyetclear, however, at theparticularneedsofyouthagingout children’s healthandeducationneeds (H.R. 6893)includesprovisionsaimedat Success andIncreasing Adoptions Act school systems. The 2008Fostering welfare-involved youthinthepublic targets variousproblemsfacedbychild Federal legislationhasbeenenactedthat Broadening theDiscussion

and incarcerationarelower. rates ofunemployment,homelessness, postsecondary educationarehigherand school completionandenrollmentin to remainincarepast18,ratesofhigh in Illinoiswhichyouthareencouraged (2008), whoreportthatincertaincounties is supportedbyPetersandcolleagues in carebeyondage18. That Continued onpage 38 ﬁ cation rateswere ﬁ nding Overview

spring 2009 2009 spring o National research 360

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 17 from foster cially discharged fi left their last placement. Some advocates feel that the over- representation of former foster care youth reveals a lack of transitional hood to adulthood services from child nding a stable place to live when they than one in four had been in foster care inthan one in four had Association of the previous year (National 1992). Social Workers, by the Casey Family Foundation foundby the Casey Family foster care Casey’s that 42 percent of had been in fosteralumni (adults who been homeless at onecare as children) had were percent Twenty-two time or another. night within a yearhomeless for at least one after being of care (Casey Research Services, 1993). care (Casey Research Michelle Decker Gerrard, M.Ed., is a M.Ed., is Michelle Decker Gerrard, a Research, Scientist at Wilder Research Foundation Amherst H. Wilder division of the in St. Paul, Minnesota. She can be contacted at (651)280-2695 or [email protected]. In the 2006 Wilder study, a third of young a third study, Wilder In the 2006 people surveyed (33%) had lived in a social service placement (such as foster care, group home, or treatment facility) in if they When asked the prior two years. had a place to go when they left their last social service placement, 43 percent of these young people said they did not. Less than half of the foster youth in the study (46%) said that they had received help fi for this population. Others feel that family issues that led to the placement may also ness. In addition, less contribute to home mental health and behavior problems may inability to secure contribute to a youth’s or maintain housing. Housing alone is typically not adequate to solve the problems facing these young people. Backgrounds of abuse, neglect, and other forms of trauma mean that a combination of services are often required to help restore stability and provide a starting young people Many point for recovery. need skills in independent living, such as how to keep a checking account, how to low-cost and how to prepare do laundry, meals. Others need the support of a caring adult — having someone they can call in a crisis — and permanent connections to family who will care for them. ve fi Many

One national

nding a stable place to live when live to place a stable nding Three in ten homeless young people (30%)Three in ten homeless or threatened withhad been assaulted in the previousviolence in a relationship percentage had stayed inThis same year. because they had noan abusive situation Some homelessother housing options. parents: 13% ofyoung people are also 38% of young adultshomeless youth and own.have children of their study reported that more than one in shelters youth who arrived at emergency came directly from foster care and more researchers and advocates have voiced concern about youth “aging out” of the system (Robertson, 1996). The Minnesota Department of Human The Minnesota Department of Human Services reports that in 2007, 237 dis- from out-of-home placement were charges due to “runaway from placement” and 567 were due to the fact that the discharges youth reached the age of 18 (Minnesota Department of Human Services, Children these Together and Family Services 2008). children represent 9.5% of discharges About 31% of young from care in 2007. people interviewed for the 2006 homeless study reported that they had run from a placement, and 6% reported that they had to leave a placement because they were too old to stay there. history of foster care is correlated with A becoming homeless at an earlier age and remaining homeless for a longer period 1995). Wolfe, of time (Roman & Homeless young people have high rates ments. (70%) of previous out-of-home place These rates have been consistent over the 15 years the study has been conducted. nearly two-thirds of In the 2006 study, homeless youth (65%) and young adults (60%) had experienced some type of social service or treatment placement, and 34 percent of homeless youth and 45 percent of homeless young adults had spent time in some type of correctional facility. What is the link between foster care or foster care What is the link between and homelessness? other placements - fi Less than half of the foster youth in the youth the foster than half of Less had received (46%) said that they study help fi placement. their last left they cant mental health issues (49%), and fi ict with parents, abusive relationships, fl a third have considered suicide. Over two- thirds (71%) have been homeless before. cult starts in life and have experienced upheaval that continues as they transition They are troubled by into adulthood. con turbulent housing situations, and mental health problems. Over half of homeless young people (51%) have been physically or sexually abused. One-third (34%) have About half report experienced neglect. signi Homeless young people often had dif Characteristics of Homeless Young Young of Homeless Characteristics in Minnesota People In addition to the homelessness survey, Research also collects information Wilder about the number of persons staying in shelters on the night of the survey. Children with their parents, and youth and young adults, who are on their own, make up about half of the people who are homeless in An estimated Minnesota (47%). 550 to 650 Minnesota youth under age 18 and an estimated 700 to 1,650 young adults (age 18-21) are homeless and on their own without their parents on any given night. Results from coupled the outreach portion of the study, with the number of youth who reported they were turned away from shelters, suggest more youth are on the street, at least part of the time, than in the previous study conducted in 2003. In the month almost a third preceding the 2006 study, of these young people had spent at least one night outside. Michelle Decker Gerrard, M.Ed. Gerrard, Decker Michelle Background Research has con- Wilder Since 1991, homelessness survey ducted a statewide better understand every three years to and effects the causes, circumstances, to promote efforts of homelessness, and safe housing for all toward permanent, October 26, 2006, Minnesotans. On interviews trained volunteers conducted out Minnesota with 151 unaccom- through and (ages 11-17) panied homeless youth 455 homeless young adults (ages 18-21). This sample represents only a portion of all young people who were homeless in Minnesota on that day. Transitioning to Adulthood Without Homes: Without Homes: Adulthood to Transitioning in Minnesota People Young Homeless Practice Adolescents inFoster Care CW and families. other systemsthat servehomelessadults be servedbyMcKinney-Vento andenter away, fostercareyouthareeligibleto and schoolengagement.Upon running can havedetrimentaleffects onsafety 1996; Nesmith,2005;Ross,2001), which (Biehal & Wade, 1999;Courtney & Wong, arrangements andthisincreaseswithage are morelikelytorunawayfromcare often unstable.Inparticular, olderteens signi placement eventhoughstudiesprovide to excludestudentsalreadyinfoster school districtsinterpretthisprovision is notfurtherclari condition ofawaitingfostercareplacement Department ofEducation,2008). The are awaitingfostercareplacement”(U.S. shelters; areabandonedinhospitals;or are “livinginemergency ortransitional and youthqualifyforservicesifthey placement. The actstatesthatchildren become homelessafterleavinga waiting forplacementorwhenthey limited circumstances:whentheyare help adolescentsinfostercareunder scope, McKinney-Vento fundscanonly these students.Despitethebroadened referrals, andotherrelatedservicesfor tion evaluation,medicalormentalhealth transportation, tutoring,expeditededuca- the use The 2001reauthorizationbroadened (Project HOPE,2008). birth certi not haveproperdocumentation,suchas public schoolimmediatelyeveniftheydo states toenrollhomelessstudentsinany as non-homelesschildrenbyrequiring the samefree,appropriateeducation ensures thathomelessstudentsreceive Act, mostrecentlyreauthorizedin2001, Improvements Education Asistance schools. The Mcinney-Vento Homeless Many oftheseyouthareenrolledin have hadrecentfostercareinvolvement. population andthat70%ofthoseyouth constitute 3%ofMinnesota’s homeless that unaccompaniedhomelessyouth foster care. Wilder (2006)estimates home less populationsandchildrenin Signi Anita LarsonandDanielle Meehan and Foster Care Youth Is McKinney-Vento Enough?ThePolicy Implicationsfor Homeless 360 fi fi cant evidencethatplacementsare cant overlapsexistbetween o

spring 2009 ﬁ of federalfundstoinclude cates orimmunizationrecords ﬁ ed; however, most | 18

( year werepulledfromthestudydata these districtsforthe2005-2006school Figure 1.Attendance for 2005-2006SchoolYear, byGroup attendance foraschoolyearequals1.0. and issummarizedinFigure1.Perfect students ineachofthesethreegroups attendance ratiowascalculatedfor to graduatethanthosewhodonot. The attend schoolregularlyaremorelikely cator ofengagement,andstudentswho School attendanceisanimportantindi- Attendance School were infostercare. All 12 were usedtodeterminewhichstudents Minnesota DepartmentofHumanServices their H/HMstudents,anddatafromthe and Duluth. The threedistrictsidenti in Minnesota:SaintPaul,Minneapolis, three McKinney-Vento granteedistricts and highlymobile(H/HM)studentsfrom child welfareinvolvementofhomeless LInK Projectexaminestheeducationand A currentstudyunderwayattheMinn- A SnapshotofOlderAdolescents Homeless /Highly Mobile Students: ( seniors: neitherH/HMnorinfostercare and graduationstatusforthreegroupsof ( ( of 114 students. identi N=9,402 N=9,065 N=223 N=13 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 0 1 fi ed ashomeless( ) plusthoseinfostercarebutnot FC=101; H/HM&FC=13 ), andH/HMinfostercare Foster Care&H/HM, ) toexploreschoolattendance ), H/HMandnotinfostercare School Attendance for2005-2006 N=101 H/HM, noFosterCare, th gradersin ) foratotal N=223 fi fi ed le identi Although thesecondgroup,whowere graduate. overall graduationrateof54.7%. care placementsorhomelessnesshadan care (14.9%).Studentswithoutfoster identi slightly higher(21.5%)thanstudents groups (Figure1),graduationrateswere had theworstattendanceofallthree students in12 The assumptionwasmadethatany Graduation Education Disruptions identi The attendanceforstudentswhowere had thepoorestschoolattendance. identi or homelessness.Studentswhowere ance ofstudentswithoutfostercare foster carelookedsimilartotheattend- correctional facilityortreatmentprogram, transferring schools,commitmenttoa over thecourseofyearincluding experience morethanonedisruption disruptions fromschool.Studentsmay some oftheseupdatesrevealsigni is updatedoverthecourseofyearand No FosterCare,not H/ fi fi fi fi ed asH/HMandalsoinfoster ed asH/HMbutnotinfostercare ed asH/HMbutnotinfostercare ed asH/HMandwerealsoin HM, N=9,065 fi les containastatuscodethat th gradewereeligibleto StdDev Median Mean fi cant Practice spring 2009 2009 spring rm this, it

ﬁ o 360 CW

uid, highly mobile, uid, highly ﬂ |

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents perhaps with periods of home lessness interspersed with placements? If research were to con would be wise to confer eligibility McKinney-Vento to all adolescents in foster care not only to those who are awaiting placement. be Anita Larson is the for the Minn- Coordinator at the Center LInK Project Studies in Child Advanced for at the University of Welfare School of Social Minnesota’s She can be reached Work. at (612)625-8169 or at [email protected]. Danielle Meehan is a Gradu- Assistant for ate Research in the the Minn-LInK Project Advanced Studies Center for and can be in Child Welfare at (612)624-3382 or reached [email protected]. 19 ed as homeless or highly mobile ed as homeless fi outcomes of older adolescents should of older adolescents outcomes multiple consideration of the include a that homeless adolescents public systems as child in contact with such will come shelters. justice, and welfare, juvenile suggest that, while Data reviewed here not have a negative foster care status does the numerous impact on school attendance, by students in disruptions experienced adverse long-term care may have an are When students impact on graduation. identi foster care, they and not involved in and slightly may have fewer disruptions but their school higher graduation rates, Do these attendance is compromised. results imply that the living arrangements of some adolescents in foster care might N=9,065 cation of No Foster Care, fi not H/HM, N=9,065 cant challenge to identi fi N=223 student homelessness relates to students’ relates to students’ student homelessness Some students reluctance to self-identify. perform reasonably manage to attend and of homelessness, well in school in spite students strive to and in many cases possible to avoid appear as normal as drawing attention to themselves. In addition, attempts to study the education Discussion from this can be drawn Few conclusions examination of administra- point-in-time number of but it prompts a tive data, that bear policy questions research and future particular, consideration. In to examine the research should attempt who age out of extent to which students A of homelessness. care move in and out signi H/HM, no Foster Care, H/HM, no Foster Care, N=223 No Foster Care, not H/HM, Disruptions per Student over 2005-2006 HM & FC=13 Graduation Rate Among Senior Cohort 2005-2006 Among Graduation Rate ed as H/HM with foster ed as H/HM with H/HM & FC=13 fi Foster Care & H/HM, FC=101; H/ Foster Care & H/HM, FC=101; ed for students in these three ed for students fi 0 1 0.00% 0.2 0.8 0.6 1.2 1.8 1.6 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 0.4 1.4 nancial, social, or family reasons. When When reasons. social, or family nancial, Figure 3. Average Number of Disruptions 2005-2006 3. Average Figure Figure 2. High School Graduation, by Group 2. High School Graduation, Figure care involvement had one and a half times care involvement had per student) of H/HM the disruptions (1.68 care involvement students without foster times the number (1.02) and over three without foster experienced by students H/HM (.51). care involvement or Students identi dropping out, or leaving due to pregnancy, pregnancy, or leaving due to dropping out, fi quanti and who in foster care groups, those of these experience more are homeless other two groups, disruptions than the their comparatively which might explain low graduation rates. Practice Adolescents inFoster Care CW adolescent development. also inadvertently butnegativelyaffect within thechild welfaresystemmay 2002). The experiences ofadolescents and moodregulation(Kendall-Tackett, impulse control,attention,anxiety, as problemswithcognitivede to mentalhealthproblemsthatmanifest these youtharegeneticallypredisposed social relat attachment, self-regulationskills,and ing. Inaddition,manyof have profoundimpactsonrelational trauma indicatethatsuchexperiences young adulthood.Studiesoncomplex cent inmovingsuccessfullyinto competencies thatwillassisttheadoles- plans, managementofrelationships) and social(e.g.self-de (e.g. self-regulation,inde are todevelopacademic,emotional pen The developmentaltasksofthe dence), Adolescence Developmental Tasks of 2009). Webrie (Hyde &Kammerer, out-of-home placements experience withyouthin trauma andourresearch youth withahistoryof clinical experiencewith draw onourcollective being.” Inthispaper, we focus on“childwell- (PL 105-89)addeda and SafeFamilies Act 1997, thefederal Adoption placement foryouth.In achieving permanencyof on assuringsafetyand have traditionallyfocused Child welfareagencies Justeen Hyde,Ph.D.andLaurel K.Leslie, M.D.,M.P.H. Working WithAdolescents AgingOutofFoster Care Perspectives ontheNeedfor aFocus onWell-Being for Physical Safety andPermanency Are NotEnough: well-being inyouthagingoutofcare. may provideopportunitiesforpromoting and describehowsafetypermanency the developmentaltasksofadolescence health services. to either outpatientorresiden tial mental mental healthproblems andare referred youth infoster care meetclinical criteria for Research indicates thatup to 50%of 360 o

spring 2009 ﬂ y describe y | 20

ﬁ

nto, future nition, adolescent ﬁ cits,

residential treatmentto community-based of siblingstogether, step-downfrom well-intentioned policies(e.g.placement agencies. These changesmayarisefrom in congregatecaresettingsarealsomore place ment changes. Adolescents living more likelytheyaretoreportmultiple is involvedwithchildwelfareagency, the residential instability. The longerayouth secure attachmentsduringadolescenceis The mostcommonchallengetoforming Placement stability: inadequately trainedstaff. in theseenvironmentsand,attimes, initiated byotheryoungpeopleliving physical safetyasaresultofviolence homes particularlyreportedalackof research, youthinresidentialandgroup substitute caregivers.Inourqualitative do experiencephysicalaggressionfrom young people.Unfortunately, someyouth agencies istoensurethephysicalsafetyof A primarygoalofmostchildwelfare Safety: Current Status Experiences inChildWelfare: made bychildwelfare no mic orpolicydecisions and administrative,eco- child’s behavioralissues inability tomanagea been linkedtoacaregiver’s Placement changeshave tiple placementchanges. likely toexperiencemul- placements foradolescents.Speci and anincreasedfocusonstabilizationof develop ageappropriatecompetencies dedicated resourcestohelpyoungpeople cents agingoutofcareshouldinclude Efforts toimprovewell-beingforadoles- Refl to changingpeersandlivingconditions. adolescents tofrequentlyadjustandadapt residential treatmentfacilitiesalsorequire adult develop trustingrelationshipswithkey providers onanadolescent’s abilityto of a“revolvingdoor”mentalhealth health systemsandthenegativeimpact and relianceoninternsinpublicmental Several havedescribedheavyturnover than addresstheirhistoriesoftrauma. have experiencesthatexacerbaterather their mentalhealthtreatment,andmany have mixedfeelings,atbest,regarding home placementsindicatethatmost 1. treatment plans. a focusonadolescentdevelopment in adolescent developmentandincluding is knownaboutthepromotion of for youngpeoplebasedon what appropriate rulesandresponsibilities a leadershiproleinde Child welfareagenciesshouldtake ections andRecommendations fi gures. The circumstancesinmany Continued onpage 38 d e et i out-of- in ado lescents (Landsverk, Our experienceswith Garland &Leslie,2002). ser vices residential mentalhealth to eitheroutpatientor problems andarereferred criteria formentalhealth foster caremeetclinical up to50%ofyouthin Research indicatesthat Mental healthservices: staff, orco-placedyouth. parents, clini cal andother attachments tofoster tently threatenformed treatment) butinad ver- fi nn age- ning fi cally, Practice

spring 2009 2009 spring o 360 ce should provide ﬁ CW

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 21 The school and the agency are both important for young people to reach adulthood with promising futures. It is imperative that the systems work together. The school, foster parent and social worker must be able to work together to help children and youth in foster care. Research shows us that these children are at risk of multiple negative outcomes unless they get the understanding and support they need at this crucial time in their lives. Communication among the people who can help them is vital to their futures. the county/agency worker with the correct the county/agency worker contact person. are in their social At school, young people working They are observed element. through issues that plague them outside members work of school. School staff with them through inadequacies that originate from home and spill over into their academics as well as working with contact can The school academic issues. well as as provide insights to the worker, the foster parent, into the behaviors and motivations of the student. the contact person. If the district is very the contact person. If may be the small, the school contact Most teacher. principal or the classroom counselors, deans secondary schools have specialists, social of students, behavior A psychologists. workers, and/or school call to the school of Gayle M. McGrane, MSW, LICSW is a school LICSW is a school Gayle M. McGrane, MSW, administrator for 2 schools, K-12,with the Schools. Ms. McGrane’s Area Lake Forest contact information is gmcgrane@forestlak e.k12.mn.us or (651)982-3171. ned roles, this fi ng in a particular fi are in and the people they are are in and the people at the with. Using the quote article as beginning of this an example, the young man making this statement is going to demonstrate his feelings about this situation repeatedly during the school day as he attempts to make sense of it. It is critical for school staff to have an understanding of the dynamics in this young world in order to person’s district and the age of the child. Most elementary schools have a counselor, lo- or school psycho school social worker, gist. Depending on the de person is generally the school contact for issues regarding social services. For the county/agency worker or foster parent, a call to the school principal should identify can seem as though a turf battle exists and can seem as though a All than an “us”. it is more of a “we/they” in an environment of these barriers exist and time. of limited resources struggle with, and Children demonstrate, issues in different work through their environment they ways depending on the help him work through his feelings in And, in turn, a healthy way. to communicate to the social worker and the foster parent how this situation is affecting the student, and the work that has been going on at school in support of his plan. For the young men and women aging out of foster care, it is critical that the school be a part of the process as relocation, tain- continuing education, main ing a support system in looking to future planning are important. Many young adults aging out of the foster care system need the connection to school with its built-in supports for further planning. Communication and collaboration are solid relationship must be A essential. established and maintained between the the foster parent, and the social worker, The term school contact school contact. roles can refer to people in different depending on the staf Tom, age 16, 11.08 Tom, nd success in fi cult. Both systems fi At times it dentiality and data privacy. fi period. For others it is about parents period. For others rd It has been really tough the last couple couple the last tough It has been really there, old is still year of weeks. The 3 signing the after but his mom ditched crying and day, every She calls papers. Debbie asking all of us about her kid. out by stressed is really mother) (foster nothing like it feels it all. It seems like, else is important. Although it is crucial, sharing this infor- tion can be dif ma The goal for both systems, foster care The goal for both systems, foster care and education, is to nurture this client/ student to healthy adulthood ready to participate, contribute, and live a happy, responsibilities of each The healthy life. tracks, but the system are on different The child overall goal is a shared one. carries baggage from the home scene to school and from the school scene back home. Professionals in both settings have information and insights that are critical This information to the work of the other. aids in understanding, supporting, holding accountable and nurturing the individual child. either. are committed to quality communication and collaboration, but it is not a simple process. Educators and social languages with workers speak different These two unique acronyms and jargon. objectives in professions have different The structure reaching a common goal. from the of the school is very different structure of the county or private social There is the issue of services agency. con The child in foster care is the student of The child in foster care is the student of the educational system. Communication between the two systems is imperative for the young person to “not wanting them” or the priorities of a “not wanting them” foster mother. Young people come to school with a people come to school Young minds and in their variety of issues on their thoughts of passing hearts. For some it is basketball game, a spelling test, tonight’s assignment for or completing the calculus 3 Foster Care & School: It Is About Communication It Is About & School: Care Foster LICSW McGrane, Gayle Practice Adolescents inFoster Care CW and thekeyto a healthyadulthood. The essential totheir psychologicalgrowth philosophy to youth withdisabilitiesis agree thatteachingtheindependent living Many disabilityexpertsand advocates population. housing, andfamilychallenges ofthis employment, education,healthcare, the resourcesnecessarytoaddress the childwelfaresystemalonecanprovide support network.Itisunrealistictothink a comprehensive,multisystemtransition These youngpeopleinparticularrequire become self-determinedorself-suf additional challengesandbarriersto within thefostercaresystemwhohave 2003). This includesyouthwithdisabilities suf not feelreadyforadulthoodandself- olds—not justvulnerablepopulations—do and that,infact,themajorityof18-year- assert thatthisisanincorrectassumption age. However, youthdevelopmentexperts the expectationsofbeingadultsatthat 18, theyshouldallbeabletoliveup youth aregivenadultrightsattheageof results fromtheassumptionthatbecause are routinelyoverlooked.Manythinkthis related toyouth’s transitionstoadulthood work withthesepopulationsthattheissues There isconsensusamongthosewho with supportingandassistingthem. well asfortheadultsandsystemscharged compelling situationfortheseyouthas to taxpayers.Itisindeeda numbers, atadramaticcost systems indisproportionate and behavioralhealthcare Many alsoenterthesocial criminal justicesystem. unemployment, andthe signi will goontohealthyandproductivelives, enter adulthoodeveryday. Although many disabilities reachtheir18thbirthdaysand Thousands offosteryouthwhohave adulthood. their waythroughmultiplesystemsto challenges theyfaceasnegotiate little attentionisfocusedontheunique populations intheUnitedStates,yet care systemareoneofthemostvulnerable Youth withdisabilitieswhoareinthefoster Joan Durocher Youth withDisabilitiesintheFoster Care System 360 fi ciency ontheir18 fi cant numbers drift into homelessness, cantnumbersdriftintohomelessness, o

spring 2009 | th birthdays (Arnett, birthdays(Arnett, 22

ensure equalopportunitiesfor them. determination andself-respect andbyworkingto people withdisabilities byfocusing onbuildingself- The independentlivingphil osophy empowers ﬁ cient. cient. sector to play stronger roles in providing sector toplaystronger rolesinproviding munity organizations and thebusiness bilities agingout offostercare,andcom- collaboration efforts foryouthwithdisa- juvenile andadultsystemsto increase transitional servicesisessential andurged system collaborationontheprovision of on Disability(NCD)af In its2008report,theNationalCouncil settings. resources asaresultoflivingininstitutional are disconnectedfromtheircommunities’ they mayneedbecausemanysuchyouth to beableseekouttheuniqueservices residential programsareevenlesslikely transitioning fromgrouphomesorother Young peoplewithdisabilitieswhoare not capableofseekingouttheseservices. disconnected fromsocietyandtherefore aging outoffostercareareoftenalready unfortunate becauseyouthwithdisabilities seek themoutontheirown. This ismost accessible onlytoyoungpeopleable welfare system.Manyservicesaretruly youth withdisabilitiesinvolvedinthechild services isoftenthelargest challengefor essential. However, accesstotheseessential needs oftheyouthwhorequirethemare priate transitionservicestomeetallofthe Individualized, compre hen sive, andappro- welfare personneltotheyouththeyserve. empowerment bepassedalongfromchild ideas ofself-determinationandpersonal risk. Therefore, itisimportantthatthe that includesomedegreeofcontrolled independent ortonegotiatesituations people arenotoftenencouragedtobe emphasized childprotection,theseyoung child welfaresystemhastraditionally their tran sitional period.Becausethe disabilities infostercareandduring is alsoimportantforyoungpeoplewith opportunities forthem. This philosophy respect andbyworkingtoensureequal building self-determinationandself- people withdisabilitiesbyfocusingon independent livingphilosophyempowers ﬁ rmed that cross- [email protected]. She canbecontactedby email at for theNationalCouncilon Disabilities. Joan Durocher isaSenior Attorney Advisor February, 2008. to SuccessandProposed PolicySolutions of Disabilities intheFosterCare System:Barriers Council onDisability’s report Youth with *This articleisadaptedfrom theNational other post secondary learning insti tu tions institutions should reachouttoyouthwithdisabili- learning postsecondary other the fostercaresystem.Collegesand services foryouthwithdisabilitiesin to ensureaccessappropriatetransition NCD recommendedthatmorebedone opportunities. life skillsopportunities,andnetworking independent livingphilos ophy, hands-on comprehensive, includingexposuretothe transition servicesbeindividualizedand transition services.NCDalsourged that supports. possible toreachthosewhomostneedthe those whoneedthem.Onlythenwillitbe extra efforts neededtobringtheservices the servicesthemselvesandinvestingin many programshaveforyouthtoseekout remov ing theunrealisticrequirement Addressing thesechallengesincludes out offostercaretoobtaintheseservices. ability ofyouthwithdisabilitiesaging tional serviceswouldgreatlyenhancethe systemic challengestoaccessingtransi- It isclearthatremovingthebarriersand age 23or24whendeemedappropriate. available foryouthwithdisabilitiesupto welfare agenciesmakingtransitionservices 21. This canbeaccomplishedbystatechild for neededtransitionservicesbeyondage Most importantly, youthshouldbeeligible disconnected fromsociety’s networks. settings, thusthemostatriskofbeing who are in institutionalized who areininstitutionalized should befocusedonyouth and particularattention disabilities andfosteryouth; housing forbothyouthwith take intoaccountaccessto ties; transitionplansshould

Practice

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Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 23 ag.org) ﬂ Continued on page 39 cation by providing families with cation ﬁ Project (CPYP) (www.cpyp.org) (http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/) (www.familybuilders.org) (www.genderspectrum.org) Training (www.nclrights.org/youth) & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (www.p for Transgender Health for Transgender (www.wpath.org) (http://www.apa.org/topics/ transgender.html) • California Permanency for Youth Youth for California Permanency • Acceptance Project Family • Adoption Family Builders by • Gender Spectrum Education and • National Center for Lesbian Rights • PFLAG: Parents, Families, • Association Professional The World • The following are organizations that organizations are The following and tools resources have developed agencies in meeting that can assist to assure responsibility their legal in their care, permanency for all youth youth: including transgender Association American Psychological • about the negative impact their rejection about the negative impact their rejection 2005). & Diaz, has on their child (Ryan Child welfare professionals can facilitate reuni information and guidance related to ado- ment and gender identity op lescent devel as well as referrals to individual and fami- other local services that seling and ly coun support families of transgender youth, such as Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and Gender et al., 2006). Spectrum (Wilber

Individualized permanency plans Because many transgender youth in care have faced repeated rejections, they may fear they will never be accepted as part Thus, it is important for child of a family. welfare workers to address the speci fears and concerns that transgender youth may have about permanency (Jacobs to trans- Talking & Freundlich, 2006). gender youth about adults they know history, and trust, researching a youth’s and reexamining prior adult relationships are key strategies for locating extended family members, teachers, or mentors who can provide permanence for transgender This youth-driven approach allows youth. a transgender youth to strengthen an cation, especially fi on development of indepen dent living succeed in To skills. ensuring permanen- gender cy for trans youth, child welfare pro fes sionals should attempt to reunify transgender youth with their family of cation strategies de- fi transition to live as the gender they to live as the gender transition transgender people identify as. Some are transgender at become aware that they with the support of a very young age and, transition while the adults in their lives, still adolescents. Strengthen connection with connection Strengthen of origin family Before considering adoption or other per- nency plans, child welfare workers ma should pursue reuni signed to strengthen family relationships and reintegrate a transgender child back into his or her family (Jacobs & Freun- Although many transgender dlich, 2006). youth leave or are forced to leave their homes, research shows that families tend to change their perspective over time & Diaz, 2005). Parents and family (Ryan members who initially react negatively to having a transgender child can become supportive if they have the opportunity to learn more about transgender issues and Permanency Planning Permanency Act and Safe Families Adoption The assure of 1997 requires states to (ASFA) youth in foster care. permanency for all child welfare workers may Unfortunately, not develop family-based permanency plans for transgender youth because they assume foster families or relatives are not willing to provide a home for these youth. In addition, workers often fail to pursue family reuni if a transgender youth is in care because family kicked him or her out. the youth’s Because of these assumptions, most transgender youth end up in congregate care facilities where family-based permanen- shadowed by a focus cy planning is over origin when possible, work closely with transgender youth to identify important adults in their lives, and reduce placements in congregate care. ca tion ca fi To succeed in ensuring permanency for permanency for in ensuring succeed To sionals fes pro child welfare youth, transgender gender youth trans reunify to should attempt work of origin when possible, with their family identify to youth with transgender closely and reduce adults in their lives, important care. in congregate placements Who are Transgender Youth? Transgender Who are a gender identity youth have Transgender from or gender expression that is different what most people would expect based The term gender on their biological sex. internal, identity refers to a person’s ti deeply felt psychological iden gender as male or female. Most people’s identities and expressions correspond to their physical bodies. For transgender people, this is not the case. Because a gender identity is a core aspect person’s of their being, many transgender people homelessness and often face other serious risks that compromise their overall health & Garrett, Jager, and well-being (Hair, This article explores steps child 2002). welfare workers can take to minimize these risks and provide transgender youth with the opportunity to build a healthier and more stable young adulthood. Because many trans gender youth face Because many trans abuse and harassment in their foster care placements, the primary goal of child welfare workers is often just to keep transgender youth safe until emancipation; less attention is paid to the need to connect transgender youth with permanent families. Research has documented that youth who do not have this kind of support when they emancipate are at high risk of Many transgender young people face young people Many transgender and physical abuse rejection, harassment, communities, at the hands of their families, This their gender. and peers because of that they run away abuse is often so intense of school, or enter from home, drop out Although there the child welfare system. studies documenting are no quantitative youth in foster the number of transgender transgender foster care, it is likely that every jurisdiction youth are present in et al., 2006; across the country (Woronoff et al., 2006). Wilber Permanency for Transgender Youth Transgender for Permanency J.D. Jody Marksamer, Practice Adolescents inFoster Care CW stakeholders. This articlehighlightssome workers, adoptive families,andotherkey Data werealsocollectedfrom social who werenotreceivingproject services. who metthesameeligibilitycriteria but data onacomparisongroup ofyouth Project services, Wilder staff collected on youthparticipatinginHomecoming In additiontocollectingextensivedata and outcomeevaluationforthisproject. Wilder Researchconductedtheprocess from becomingadopted. practice levels,thatpreventedmoreteens systemic barriers,bothatthepolicyand Another goaloftheprojectwastoaddress upon eachyouth’s strengthsandpotential. efforts wastoactivelyidentifyandbuild recruitment efforts. The purposeofthese community byengaginginchild-speci connections tocaringadultsandthelarger of strengtheningparticipatingyouth’s the projectalsohadexplicitgoal In additiontoseekingadoptivefamilies, adoption resourceidenti a permanencyplanofadoptionbutno The HomecomingProject,andwhohad courts atleastoneyearpriortoreferral parents’ rightshadbeenterminatedbythe they aretobeadoptedtogether)whose 17 (andtheirsiblingsofanyagewhen population wasadolescentsages13to in Minnesota. The target under stateguardianship of adoptionsadolescents of increasingthenumber agers withtheoverallgoal permanent familiesforteen- to increaseefforts torecruit The goaloftheprogramwas as a5-yearFederaldemonstrationproject. The HomecomingProjectbeganin2003 partnered toaddressthisissue. Minnesota Adoption ResourceNetwork Department ofHumanServicesandthe a caringadult.In2003,theMinnesota care withoutapermanentconnectionto 2008). Mostyouthwereagingoutoffoster of alladoptionsinMinnesota(Sherlock, accounted forbetween4.5and7percent Between 1998and2002,teenadoptions Background andMichelleMaggie Skrypek Decker Gerrard Results ofaFederal Demonstration Project Finding Permanent Homesfor Teens inCare: 360 o

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ﬁ ed.

guardianship inMinnesota. of adoptionsadolescents understate with theoverall goalofincreasing thenumber to recruit permanentfamilies for teenagers The goaloftheprogram was to increase efforts fi c groups: showed somedifferences betweenthetwo and thecomparisongroup(165 youth) between Homecomingyouth(100youth) An analysisofadministrativeoutcomes permanent connectionstofamilies. placements, and12percenthadestablished eight percentwereinintactpre-adoptive Project. Thirty-one percentwereadopted, permanency through The Homecoming that 51percentoftheseyouthachieved records andadministrativedatashows served 100youth. An analysisofproject Between 2003and2008,theproject Outcomes placements. age seven,andmosthadlivedinmultiple had beenplacedinout-of-homecareat delinquency offenses. Onaverage,youth ten (29%)hadbeencharged withstatusor mental healthdiagnosisatintake. Three in their lives,and94percenthadatleastone been abusedorneglectedatsomepointin many challenges. At least90percenthad who werereferredtotheprogramfaced According tointakeinformation,youth were 13or14yearsold. were youthofcolor. At intake,mostyouth the youthservedweremale.Sixoutof10 Minneapolis/St. Paul.Overhalf(52%)of the 7-countymetroareasurrounding Sixty-two percentofreferralscamefrom Minnesota referredyouthtotheprogram. County socialworkersfromacross Homecoming Project Description ofYouth Served byThe learned fromthis of thekeyevaluation • percent of comparison groupyouth placement compared totwenty-four home or intact pre-adoptive coming youthwereinanadoptive Overall, 39%percentof Home- fi ve-year project. fi ndings andlessons

The bene each youth. more informationandbackgroundabout communicated moreoften,andprovided Homecoming staff weremoreresponsive, adoption relatedexperiencestheyhadhad, also reportedthat,incomparisontoother who inquiredaboutHomecomingyouth rewards inherentinadoption.Families thoroughly awareofboththerisksand and givenanopportunitytobemore each feltengaged,respectedintheirrole, people andfamilies,itwasclearthat Based ondatacollectedfromyoung were statisticallysigni improvement overtime. These differences of belongingshowedagreateramount sense ofautonomyaswelltheir comparison group,Homecomingyouth’s youth development.Inrelationshiptothe greater improvementsincriticalareasof The HomecomingProjectalsoshowed care rates,youthwhoparticipatedin care. This isexhibitedby astatistically permanency needsofyouthaging outof emphasis onteenadoption andthe public attentionandanincreased systemic staff members weresuccessfulingaining families served.Inparticular, project extend beyondtheindividual youth and • • • signi (this difference wasstatistically af signi Comparison groupyouthwere son groupyouth. com pared tofourpercentofcom pari- were inpre-adoptiveplacements Eight percentofHomecomingyouth group youth. twenty-one percentofcomparison youth wereadoptedcomparedto Thirty-one percentofHomecoming fi davit requestingthattheynothave adoption andlong-termfoster In additiontodifferences in were statisticallysigni of fostercare. These differences care bythecourts,andtoageout be orderedintolong-termfoster adoption recruitmentefforts, to fi fi Continued onpage 39 cantly morelikelytosignan cant). fi ts oftheprojectappearto fi cant. fi cant. Practice

c ﬁ spring 2009 2009 spring o 360 ts Up To Age 21, To ts Up CW ﬁ

| ts are tied to that plan”

ﬁ Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 25 Continued on page 39 birthday that they are entitled to th ts up to age 21, and upon request ts up to age ﬁ whether the child has obtained a high a high child has obtained whether the a driver’s school diploma, completed or demonstrated education course transportation, ability to use public education, enrolled in post secondary aid, and obtained applied for financial Any of insurance. housing and medical the case back to the parties may bring review if court before the scheduled amended or is not the plan needs to be being followed. As long as a case remains open in court, the judge can monitor the provision of progress toward services and the child’s the meeting the plan goals. However, court may only retain jurisdiction of these cases until the child turns 19 (Child Protection Provisions of the Juvenile Act, Minn. Stat. § 260C.193, Subd. Court Another avenue exists to address 6, 2008). provision of services for children who are no longer under court jurisdiction. Counties must notify foster children before their 18

bene the county must develop “a speci plan related to that person’s vocational, plan related to that person’s educational, social, or maturational needs and shall assure that any maintenance or counseling bene (Foster Care Bene youth who disagrees with the A 2008). county over the content of the plan may action by requesting a appeal the county’s fair hearing pursuant to Minn. Stat. §245. (Administrative and Judicial Review of Human Services Matters, 2008). Minnesota establishes the rights of foster children to obtain help they need and want as they mature to independent living. Mechanisms exist to enforce those rights before the courts or through administrative appeal. Family members, care providers, social workers and others working with The Family members, care providers, social providers, care members, Family working with children and others workers and exercise help them understand can of easing the their options with the objective care. out of foster transition make findings regarding make findings regarding progress toward or accomplishment” progress toward or accomplishment” of a list of specific goals including Minnesota Provisions Minnesota of the FosteringEven before passage Minnesota took steps toAct, Connections of older childrenaddress the special needs law provides thatin foster care. State placement of anywithin 30 days after and the parents, inchild, the county agency tribe child, the child’s consultation with the a case plan whichand others, must prepare of the reasons for outincludes: a statement the services that haveof home placement, and to the family, been or will be provided steps the parent and child can take to correct the conditions that led to out of home placement (Child Protection Provisions of Act, the Juvenile Court Minn. Stat. § 260C.212, Subd. 1, 2008). “For a child age 16 or older who is in placement as a result of a permanency disposition” the case plan must include an independent living plan that addresses, at a minimum, the following objectives: “(i) educational, (ii)ment planning; vocational, or employ health care planning and medical coverage; (iii) transportation including, where appropriate, assisting the child in obtaining a (iv) money management; license; driver’s (v) planning for housing; (vi) social and recreational skills; and (vii) establishing taining connections with the and main family and community” (Child child’s Protection Provisions of the Juvenile Court Act, Minn. Stat. § 260C.212, Subd. 1(b) The Minnesota Department of (8), 2008). Human Services prepared a best practices guide for counties administering services for older youth in foster care (Minnesota Department of Human Services, 2006). Juvenile court judges review long term TPR foster care cases annually and post That cases every 90 days until adoption. review must include an assessment of the independent living plan “and the provision of services to the child related to the well-being of the child as the child prepares to leave foster care” (Child Protection Provisions Act, Minn Stat. of the Juvenile Court § 260C.212, Subd. 7(d), 2008). court must “ rst ﬁ nancial support to states who opt ﬁ attempt at the federal level to address the attempt at the federal level to address the needs of children growing up in foster care because they were never adopted or placed in the permanent custody of a family Congress provided funding for member. state programs aimed at helping foster children learn skills they would need to League Welfare live independently (Child America, 1999). Legislators reworked of the 1986 legislation with the passage of Act of 1999 The Foster Care Independence Act), doubling the amount of (the Chafee money available to states and permitting states to extend medical assistance eligibility for former foster children to Resource Welfare age 21 (National Child The Development, n.d). Youth Center for Chafee act was amended in 2001 to add Training funding for an Educational and Program which provides up to Voucher $5,000 per year to eligible youth attending post-secondary educational institutions (National Foster Care Coalition, 2007). Congress recently adopted the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Act (Fostering Connections Adoptions Act) which, among other things, provides federal to keep eligible children in foster care up to age 21 and mandates that, for children aging out of care at age 18 or older, agencies work with the child to develop a personal transition plan (Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Act of 2008). Adoptions Federal Initiatives Federal The Independent Living Initiatives Program, adopted in 1986, was the Federal and state lawmakers have taken state lawmakers Federal and planning for steps to ensure long-term out of foster care. children who age those provisions Counties must implement who leave foster for the sake of children and support care without the connections smooth transition to they need to make a Children adulthood and independence. may challenge and their advocates and county and decisions of the courts or deny services state agencies that limit to these children. Minnesota Law on Transition from Foster Care to Adulthood to Care Foster from Transition Law on Minnesota Opsahl, J.D. Irene Practice Adolescents inFoster Care CW Cesar ChavezInstituteatSanFrancisco Acceptance Project A studyconductedbytheFamily above. They needtolookcloserhome. challenges forLGBT youthasmentioned living, eachofwhichtendtohaveunique care, congregatecareandindependent workers tendtolooklongtermfoster permanency planning. As aresult,social family isnolongerseenasaresourcein her duetosexualorgenderidentity, the once ayouth’s familyhasrejectedhimor Traditionally inchildwelfaresystems, gender minorityyouth. and supportforsexual focus onfamilypreservation strengthen thechildwelfare promising directionisto no simpleanswers,one do? Although thereare So what’s asystemto out ofcare. leads toatotallossofservicesastheyage youth, inadequatepermanencyplanning and violence.Forfartoomanyofthese and staff, multipleplacementdisruptions, ‘system’ includingharassmentbypeers to additionalvictimizationonceinthe gender minorityyouthareoftensubject However theycomeintocare,sexualand LGB or T onceincare(Mallon,2002). to theiridentitiesbutlater‘comeout’ as into careforabuseorneglectunrelated due toharassment). A thirdgroupcomes (e.g. runningaway, truancyor indirectly associatedwiththeiridentity variance. Otherscomeintocareforreasons as aresultoftheirorientationorgender Some arerejectedbytheirbirthfamilies child welfaresysteminavarietyofways. gender variant(LGBT)youthenterthe Lesbian, gay, bisexual,transgenderand Robin McHaelen, MSW Youth inOutofHomeCare Creating Permanency for Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual andTransgender placements. years, S*has been in12different to beremoved. Inless than three who immediately asked forher worker informedher parents alesbian.she was Thesocial told aschoolsocialworker that S* came intocare at14.She 360 o

spring 2009 TM | , aprogramofthe 26

homes. the goalofhelpingyouth stay intheir around families aschildren come outwith providers . . shouldwrap. supportservices fi ghting families should wrapsupportservicesaround LGBT youth.Itsuggeststhatproviders order tobesourcesofsupportfortheir for familiestotransformthemselvesin implication isthatitisn’t necessary families arecompletelyrejecting. The more positivethanthoseofyouthwhose not patentlyrejectingweresigni with familieswhoareambivalentbut the sametime,outcomesforyouth acting out,violence,andtruancy). At substance abuse,homelessness,sexual (e.g. suicidalityattemptsandideations, are athigherriskforahostoffactors when familiesarerejecting,LGBT youth on LGBT youth.Ryan (2009)foundthat found impactthatfamilyacceptancehas State University, demonstratesthepro- Ryan’s (2009)research even ifthefamilyisinitiallyrejecting. should continuetoincludebirthfamilies Whenever possiblepermanencyplans goal ofhelpingyouthstayintheirhomes. following strategies: Parents (CAFAP), usesandsuggeststhe Association ofFosterand Adoptive and Families(DCF),theConnecticut Connecticut StateDepartmentofChildren a collaborationof True Colors,the True Colors’ SafeHarborsproject, (youth andfamily)comingoutprocess. children homeastheynegotiatetheirjoint support thesefamiliesinkeepingtheir on familiesoforigin,andaskhowwecan ically thatitiscriticalfortoconcentrate Ryan’s (2009)researchsuggestsemphat- become moreacceptingovertime. regardless ofinitialresponse,often • necessary, tosupportreuni families topreventremoval and, if Explore creativewaysto engage kinship networks, extendedfamily using community strengthssuchas as children comeout fi nds thatfamilies, withthe fi fi cantly cation

her family andculture. her own lesbian daughterwithin learning tolove, accept andaffi able toshare herexperiences of Rican motherwhowas Puerto connected thismomtoanother we andwithinanhour, social network] word outonFacebook [aninternet Our mentoringcoordinator putthe backgroundcultural andsituation. to talkwithsomeoneasimilar a lesbian. Shedesperately wanted year-old daughterjustcame outas Spanish speakingmomwhose15- True Colors call from gotafrantic a • • af Provide socialworkerswithLGBT Facebook. programs suchasMySpaceand have begunusingsocialnetworking for foodandconversation,etc. We at whichfamiliescangettogether outreach, communitysocialactivities af foster familiesfromtheLGBT and Harbors projectactivelyrecruits as aresource.Inaddition,the Safe for fosterparentstohelpthem serve So, wecreatedatrainingmodule and thechild’s identityasLGBT. the fosterparent’s religiousbeliefs youth experienceiscon the multipleplacementsthatLGBT the interim.Onereason,infact,for and youngadultsneedingcarein short termhousingoptionsforyouth Develop additionalopenandaf orientation andgender. preservation skillsaroundissuesof workers enhanceexistingfamily building componentstohelpsocial professional responsibilities)andskill their ownpersonalvaluesand (helping workersdifferentiate between consist ofbothvaluesclari Safe Harborsproject. Training should 1,000 socialworkersthroughthe support skills. We havetrainedover of 2009fromwithin thiscommunity. identify 200new familiesbytheend fi fi rming familypreservationand rming communities. Ourgoalisto Continued onpage 39 fl ict between ict fi fi rming cation cation rm Practice

ca- ﬁ spring 2009 2009 spring cation to ﬁ o 360 CW

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 27 Continued on page 39 California enacted legislation to ensure that vulnerable parents to ensure that vulnerable like Minnesota’s differential response differential like Minnesota’s grated inte system or El Paso County’s and child welfare TANF approach to innovations demonstrate effective needs before the to meet a family’s home.removal of a child from adequate legal representa- Provide tion constitutionalare able to defend their children. Modelright to raise their with staffed legal services programs social workers, parent advocates, sive results in preserving a and attorneys are demonstrating impres safety as well as heading child’s of terminated parental the threat off for Center York The New rights. Family Representation (www.cfrny. one example: Of 700 provides org) families served in 2008, 56 % of the children never entered foster care; those who did spent an average of 98 days in care compared to an 11.5- month citywide average and a 4-year statewide average. with family Reconnect children mously October 2008, Congress unani passed the Fostering Connections to Adoptions ing Success and Increas that promotes L. 110-351) Act (P. permanent families through kinship ship arrangements, adop- guardian tions, and grants to facilitate a child’s reconnection to his or her biological family. Use data eliminate racial and ethnic disparities comes, especially in permanence out the overuse of “another planned per- and exits nent living arrangement” ma to emancipation. Allow post-termination reuni tion. in 2005 (Assembly Bill 519) to permit the reinstatement of parental rights when in the best interest of a child. By enacting laws that add post-termination reuni nency options, a small but perma growing number of states may alter the life trajectory of a child forced to transition into adulthood without a permanent legal family. 2. 3. 4. . In to inform strategies to 5.

With With led whenever a child has fi whose parental rights were terminated rose from 74,000 in 2005 to 84,000 in 2007. the number of However, children adopted has remained level at approximately 50,000 over the six-year period that ended in 2007 while the number of children who exited ncrease prevention services. prevention ncrease cant increase in adoptions. National fi I neglect cases accounting for nearly 70 percent of the indicated cases nationally Annie E. Casey Foundation, (The 2007), family strengthening strategies 1. changed from adoption to “independent changed from adoption permanent living living,” another planned arrangement, or emancipation. What Can Be Done? State child welfare agencies in collaboration with dependency courts should consider the following policy reforms: Unintended Policy Consequences Unintended Policy outcomes for The negative life — youth who exit emancipated youth from family foster care disconnected rights parents’ as well as those whose — have been well have been terminated indicates that documented. Research children who spend extensive time in foster care and exit without a permanent family fare poorly on virtually every predictor of future successful adult transition including education, early parenthood, emotional problems, involvement with the criminal and homelessness justice system, poverty, Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2004). (The Act of Adoption and Safe Families The TPR requires that a 105-89) 1997 (P.L. petition be been in foster care 15 of the most recent 22 months, unless several exceptions In addition, despite other federal apply. and state child welfare policies intended to increase adoptions like adoption incentives, adoption tax credits, and post- adoption supports, there has been no signi data estimates the number of children foster care without legal permanence has increased (AFCARS, 2008). cation, longer cation, fi rst century, countries countries rst century, fi Child welfare systems are 22 times are systems Child welfare of in the lives intervene to likely more at with an income families from children than in families $15,000 a year or below that earned $30,000. Racial and ethnic disparities also impact adoption processes and outcomes. In AFCARS reported that the median 2001, number of months from termination of parental rights (TPR) to adoption was slightly higher lowest for whites (11.2), for Hispanics (12.6), and even higher for African Americans (13.9) (AFCARS, 2008). Some children never get adopted while others experience additional traumas if their adoptive placements These are our legal orphans: disrupt. children whose parental rights have been terminated “freeing” them for adoption only to have their permanency goal lengths of stay, more frequent moves lengths of stay, while in care, and are disproportionately emancipated from foster care upon turning 18 years of age (AFCARS, 2006). Especially vulnerable to child welfare Especially vulnerable to child welfare system intervention are poor families and families from certain communities for example, that Data show, of color. child welfare systems are 22 times more likely to intervene in the lives of children from families with an income at or below $15,000 a year than in families that earned American African $30,000 (Hill, 2006). American children nationally and Native face disproportionate removals from home, lower rates of reuni with large numbers of orphans are those numbers of orphans are with large national tragedies. that have experienced be caused by civil These tragedies may wars, natural war and international as in the case catastrophes, or pandemics, in Thousands of children of HIV/AIDS. legal orphans the United States become order and as a result each year by judicial agency policy and of failing child welfare created 84,000 practice; judicial orders “legal orphans” in 2007 (AFCARS, 2008). Legal orphans are children who no longer have legal ties to their parents, extended family or adoptive family. In the twenty- Promoting Permanence for “Legal Orphans” “Legal for Permanence Promoting Sania J.D. Metzger, Collaborations & Perspectives Adolescents inFoster Care CW ‘precious.’ Seeingthede In secondgradeIlearnedtheword Misty Stenslie,MSW The Privilege ofFamily employed since Iwasateenager. I it throughcollege. Ihavebeengainfully a chancetolearn newthings.Ididmake up withcreativesolutions,who jumpsat who canlearnfrombooks, comes Luckily forme,I’vealwaysbeen aperson community, knowledge,orskill. to doitwithoutthesafetynet offamily, other youngadults,butweoftenhave taking thesamewalkontightropeas during thetransitiontoadulthood. We are no cleanclothes)tobesuccessfulorstable payday isstillawhileoff andthereare loans, someonewithextraquarterswhen heart orabitofgoodnews,co-signersfor supports (someonetocallwithabroken the washingmachine)andneeded how toopenacheckingaccountoruse without boththehardskills(knowing with mentalhealthissues. We areoften face homelessnessandtostruggle insurance. We aremorelikelyto less likelytohaveaccesshealth likely tobefullyemployed,and to earnacollegedegree,less likely thanthegeneralpopulation Alumni ofcarearemuchless not wellpreparedforadultlife. raised bythegovernmentare Research hasshownthatpeople ‘precious.’ parents towhomIwouldeverbe rest ofmylife,therewouldbeno entered adulthoodknowingthat,forthe out without some responsibilityforme,yetIaged there werehundredsofpeoplewhohad homes. OvertheyearsIwasinsystem institutions, treatmentfacilities,andgroup kinship care,sheltercorrectional of about30placementsinfosterhomes, great value.Ispentmychildhoodinaseries precious tosomebody. Dear. Beloved.Of time, Iwasovercomewithalongingtobe knowledge, orskill. the safety net offamily, community, but weoften have to doitwithout the tightrope asotheryoung adults, We are taking thesamewalkon 360 o

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fi gured gured fi rst to searchfor, andclingtowhenI not beatenalloftheodds. The loneliness, In spiteofallmy‘success,’ Icertainlyhave laundromat. at workwhenIdidn’t havequartersforthe uniform throughtheindustrialdishwasher out thatIcouldrunmyMcDonald’s from fostercare? people youknowwhoaretransitioning Which privilegesaremissingfortheyoung checklist. Which privileges do youhave? Consider this(farfromexhaustive) in whichheorshegrewup. easier simplybecauseofthefamilysetting the manywaysthataperson’s lifeismade a family. “Familyprivilege”consistsof are theprivilegesthatcomefromhaving • • • • of need. me andwhomI cancountonintimes will alwayshaveafamilywho loves I knowthatnomatterhowold I get, create asanadult. on andthatIcanuseinthefamily I routines thatIcouldgenerally count I grewupwithfamilytraditions and to leavetheirhome. never worriedthattheywouldaskme When myparentsgotupsetatme,I childhood. animals, photoalbums)frommy I havespecialitems(blankets,stuffed of theexperi ence. What Icontinue most dif that was,andcontinuestobe,the part ofthetransitiontoadulthood my owndetrimentsometimes. The trusting people.Iamindepen dent to haunt mydreams.Ihaveahardtime confusion andtraumacontinueto fi cult istheemotionalpart fi nd them, at [email protected]. seen inthispublication.Mistycan bereached Postcard Project, examplesofwhich canbe foster care. MistyistheFCAA leadonthe as wellafosterparent andan alumnaof the FosterCare Alumni of America (FCAA) Misty Stenslie,MSWistheDeputy Director of to ensurethatmychildren years. Nowintheir20s,itisstillmygoal raise threechildrenthroughtheirteen foster parentandhavebeenblessedto As anadult,Ihavebeenlicensedasa and theloveoffamily. stability, permanent connections,peace, fi when ouryoungerbrothersandsisterscan in careandareworkingtowardafuture connection tothenextgenerationofyouth and asadults,we’vedevelopedadeep experiences, bothaschildrenincare who comeafterus. Through ourown responsibility tolookoutfortheones take thislightly. We seethatwehavethe and inmylife.Iwantthemtoknowthey the worldandwillforeverbeinmyheart them toknowthattheyareneveralonein those familyprivilegesaspossible.Iwant nd thebestthatfostercarehastooffer— • • • needed it. heirlooms, toholdmyhandwhenI aisle atmywedding,topassonfamily I hadsomeonetowalkmedownthe when thedormswereclosed. and aplacetogoduringcollegebreaks to college,helpme I hadsomeonetoencouragemego family. matically includedasmembersofmy If Ihavechildren,theyareauto- sisters’ tooneanother. We don’t claim thestatusof‘brothersand alumni communityhascometo shared parent,thefostercare was ourparents.Becauseofthis part ofourlives,thegovernment thing incommon:foratleastsome United States. We allhaveone of thefostercaresystemin million ofuswhoareadultalumni children infostercareand12 There aremorethanhalfamillion have a“foreverfamily.” fi ll outtheFAFSA, fi nd asmanyof Collaborations & Perspectives

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Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 29 nally wanted to move on with my life. nally wanted to move on with ﬁ only had my brothers left. It felt like the only had my brothers me! I felt trapped and world was out to get house so badly, wanted to leave my aunt’s to my mom) I but then again (according to take care of my had the responsibility brothers. down the road, I For my best interests house. of my aunt’s ended up moving out life was my aunt’s, When I moved out of my brothers or my a struggle not having with not I struggle Still, to this day, sister. being part of their lives as much. six years since I was taken away Now, con I’m from my mom, I’m stronger, dent, I tend to be cocky at times, and I’m open minded. I try my best to look at the positives and not the negatives. I live At one point down my life to the fullest. journey I had a fear of being loved. Now I feel overwhelmed with the amount of love in my life. In the beginning I was against adoption because I thought if I was adopted I would I be betraying my mom. Eventually, opened up my eyes and realized what was After years of being in denial, best for me. I wanted moving on, I decided that I With and needed to have people commit to me by adopting me, and not just anyone but the people I love. I’m eighteen and I’m just starting a new chapter of my life! I have learned that my past is my past; there is nothing I can do All I can do now is move on about it now. and not let the negatives bring me down. I can proudly say the worst experience of my life was the best learning experience of my life. Jessica Brandl-Hewitt is a former foster youth who found permanency through adoption. and dad. I became very protective of the and dad. I became very protective of the As much as my title “mom” and “dad.” siblings wanted to call my foster parents mom and dad, I had a hard time letting them. I felt like their calling my foster parents mom and dad made them forget our real parents. in we moved Roughly six months later, with our biological aunt. Living with my aunt was a treat, let me tell you. Not in my When living with a good way either. aunt I would tend to crawl in the corner with no lights and cry for hours thinking At this point about how bad my life was. in time, I still thought that my mom was an angel who did no wrong. Every night before I went to bed I would look out at the sky and just cry hoping that I was dreaming and that life would go back to the way it was. I was going through this deep depression, and I still had three siblings I had to think about. Every night, when it came to bed time, everyone went to their own beds. I would go have my talks with my brothers explaining that my mom loves us and that no one would take her place. Every morning I woke up not having one or two but all three siblings in my bed for security who is only eighteen reasons. My sister, months younger than I am, actually got house because of kicked out of my aunt’s This was hard; not only did her behaviors. I they take my mom but now my sister. not

dence. I dence. fi of this year I turned th nally got adopted — a girl who fi just a Brandl, which is what I grew up just a Brandl, which is what I grew up being. I On May 1st, 2003 my life as I knew it On May 1st, 2003 my life as I knew it changed; I lost not only the people I loved the most but also the only thing I grew up knowing. I had two younger brothers and I felt like I had to take one younger sister. the responsibility of parenting my siblings. thirteen year depressed I was an angry, old girl in denial and with no con all three of I got to live with Luckily, This is not my siblings in a foster home. split common that a group of four doesn’t up. I was protective of my siblings and my siblings feelings. Sadly, my mom’s quite understand were young and didn’t what was going on; they wanted a mom never thought that she would even make it never thought that she would even make it to age sixteen, let alone be loved so much by so many people. My drug-addicted know what love was. family didn’t hated the world! I just wanted to give up; I felt like no one could possibly understand what I was going through. I wondered what the point of my life was if I didn’t have my mom, who was my everything. I understand why my social workers didn’t claimed that I had done nothing wrong and that I was a good girl, but I was being punished by not being home or having my mom. On November 30 Life As I Knew It… It… I Knew As Life Brandl-Hewitt Jessica eighteen. Three days before my eighteenth Three eighteen. birthday I became a Brandl-Hewitt, Collaborations & Perspectives Adolescents inFoster Care CW struggling (GrandFamilies, 2008).Familieswhoare any governmental below thepovertyline,only30% receive fi fi home, kinshipprovidersoften haveno fi the legalsystemfavorskinship careasthe are notmanysupportsavailable. Although outside theformalfostercaresystem,there Unfortunately, for thosekinshipproviders already infamilycare. the traditionalsystem,becausetheyare need not“ageout”ofcarelikethosein Furthermore, childreninkinshipcare living inthesafetyofarelative’s home. with theirbiologicalparentswhilestill children areabletomaintainarelationship to theirongoingdevelopment.Some to maintainfamilyties,whicharecrucial home. Childreninkinshipcareareable when childrenareremovedfromthe Kinship careisoftenthebestoption the traditionalchildwelfaresystem. and isanalternativetochildrenentering with awaytokeepchildrenfamily many familiesacrossthenation children. Kinshipcareprovides gain custodyorlegallyadoptthe Kinship care givers candecide to home forchildren,ortemporary. long term,creatingapermanent care system. These arrangementscanbe or informal,outsidethetraditionalfoster within thetraditionalfostercaresystem, Kinship carearrangementscanbeformal, other extendedfamily. with auntsanduncles,oldersiblings,or Minnesota childrenhavealsofoundhomes Many 2007b). Caregivers Association, by grandparentsalone(MinnesotaKinship with roughly56%ofthesechildrenraised living inagrandparent-headedhousehold Minnesota, thereare33,975childrenwho Kinship Caregivers Association, 2007a).In in whatiscalledkinshipcare(Minnesota for byrelatives,especiallygrandparents, care.” Mostofthesechildrenarecared of homecarethatisnottraditional“foster 6.5 millionchildrenwhoarelivinginout In theUnitedStatestodaythereareover Background Sharon OlsonandMiraSwanson Grandparent KinshipCare: APersonal Story ve childrenlivinginkinshipcarelives nancial support. While almostoneoutof rst optionforchildrenremoved fromthe 360 o

spring 2009 ﬁ nancially often | ﬁ 30 nnil support nancial

fi nd itdif fi because they are already infamily care. of care like thoseinthetraditional system, . children inkinshipcare neednot“ageout” cult full responsibilityforthem. to addonemoremember, letalonetake Sharon hadadif in bothNewMexicoandMinnesota, vulnerable. Becauseofsystemconfusion leaving bothchildrenandgrandparents issues thatledtothechildren’s removal were notmakinganyefforts toresolvethe the children,buttheyhadseparatedand The parentsstillhadlegalcustodyof began aninformalkinshipplacement. Sharon, likemanyotherkinshipcaregivers, in Minnesota. to takethechildren,whoweresentlive custody. Sharonandherhusbandagreed were beingremovedfromtheirparents’ her twograndchildrenandtheirhalf-sister child protectionworkeralertingherthat years agowithacallfromNewMexico Sharon’s kinshipcarestorybeganfourteen guardian fortwochildren. and asalovinggrandmotherlegal end asanadvocateforkinshipcaregivers battles, butshehascomeouttheother fi Hers hasbeenalongandhardprocess giver andadvocateisSharonOlson. One shiningexampleofakinshipcare- Sharon’s Story in alternative ways. By obtaining legal in alternative ways.By obtaininglegal like hers,permanency canbeachieved Fortunately for Sharon’s familyandothers step thatSharondidnotwantto pursue. and caninvolvedemonizingthe parent,a can bealengthyandpainfullegal process adoption. Terminating aparent’s rights parental rights,the Sharon hadconcernsaboutterminating grandchildren. Likesomanyothers, custody, shedecided nottoadopther Although Sharonhadfoughtforlegal live withhisfatherinNewMexico. for hergrandson,whohadgonebackto of thechildren,shewasnotabletodoso petitioned andwonlegalcustodyfortwo grandchildren. While Sharoneventually legal orpermanentguardianshipofher lled withlegal,legislative,andpersonal fi cult timegaining fi rst steptowards [email protected]. Twin Cities. Shecan becontacted at of SocialWork, University ofMinnesota– Advanced Studies inChildWelfare, School Research Assistant fortheCenter Twin Cities.Miraisalsoa Graduate candidate attheUniversityofMinnesota– Mira SwansonisaMasterofSocial Work and thosewhoworkwiththem. and resource sitesforkinship caregivers GrandFamilies of America, bothsupport and theco-founderVice President of Minnesota KinshipCaregivers Association placements. SheistheVice President ofthe and longtimeadvocateforkinshipfoster Sharon Olsonisakinshipgrandparent also attemptedtoputintolaw abandonment. Sharonandothershave be namedcustodiansintheeventofparent America, 2008),whichallowsrelativesto Party CustodyLaw(GrandFamiliesof begun toadvocateacrossthenationfor Using whatshehaslearned,Sharon an institutionallivingfacility. the familysoshewillneverhavetoenter disabilities, theopportunitytoremainwith gives theoldest,whohasmostsevere know thatshewillalwayshaveahomeand youngest granddaughterthesecurityto their extendedfamily, aplanthatgivesthe age 18. They haveaplanthatincorporates will staywiththeirgrandparentsbeyond 16 and22.Becauseoftheirdisabilities,they still raisinghertwogranddaughters,ages parents helpskeepthefamilyintact.Sheis to learnaboutandhaveaccesstheir parents. Sharonnotesthatallowingchildren eliminating theirrelationshipswith safe andwelcomingenvironmentwithout them, shehasgivenhergrandchildrena custody ofthechildrenwithoutadopting and viablechoiceforallfamiliesinneed. make kinshipplacementsanattractive law andjoinsupportnetworkstohelp are encouragedtostaycurrentwithfamily legal custodyofkin.Kinshipcaregivers by eliminatingroadblockstogaining hoped theselawswillhelpotherfamilies families strugglingtostaytogether. Itis supports forkinshipcaregiverstohelp the DefactoCustodianand3 have helpedwritelawssuchas Kinship Caregivers Association colleagues attheMinnesota such ashers.Sharonandher legal safeguardsforfamilies fi nancial rd

Collaborations & Perspectives

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Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents cient training programs, fi 31 The growing number of adolescents The growing number foster care residing in temporary the nation is a and shelters across this The negative effect concern. generation is will have on our future addressing. something that is worth actively Although caseworkers future and plan for the adolescent’s its maximum the agency works to budget, too potential within its in the middle. many teens are lost It is essential that we, as adolescent workers, demonstrate professional, cient, and accessible services in fi order to effectively serve this adolescent order to effectively population. the inconsistency of case planning the inconsistency of case planning between agencies and their members are primary factors that negatively affect our future adult population. Many of these adolescents transition into the adult world without the appropriate physical or emotional skills to survive. Their experience with a system that has left them feeling mistrustful, unskilled, and unwilling to seek and accept further services severely limits their ability to function in their adult environment. As social workers, we have an ethical responsibility to address these concerns and work towards providing appropriate, ef appropriate planning techniques that build appropriate planning techniques that build a trusting relationship with the adolescent and be given the authority to carry out in these goals in order to be truly effective our profession. The lack of support for families in crisis, lack of appropriate and dedicated foster parents, insuf Ryan Skal, MSW, is an Adolescent Social is an Skal, MSW, Ryan with the Connecticut Department of Worker and Families. He can be contacted Children at [email protected]. cult task. cult fi demonstrate professional, appro priate planning priate workers, that we, as adolescent It is essential with relationship niques that build a trusting appro professional, demonstrate tech carry the authority to and be given the adolescent in our effective be truly to out these goals in order profession. cant insight into the teen’s fi cation. The youth, who had been The youth, who cation. fi nally become moved three times in three months and had moved three times in three months and had fi comfortable with this foster mother, As was removed. I explained the situation to the teen, he looked sighed, and away, do not said, “You need to explain, this is just the way my I felt powerless, As the worker, life is.” I would saddened, and somewhat angry. have liked to have had an opportunity to provide this youth with a sound concrete at least, a decent plan for his future or, explanation of why we’re now meddling with a placement that was working. Such situations would leave any worker with doubts that the idea of permanency planning with these adolescents can ever be achieved. I found myself asking, “What Though I more can I do for my clients?” may have signi present life, it is often not enough to affect the outcome of placement. The notion of permanency is the posses- sion of a stable, caring, and supportive environment in which one can appropriately develop his or her goals. I received a telephone call from Recently, a therapeutic foster care agency and was informed that I must remove a teen from his present foster home without logical justi inadequate number of treatment programs inadequate number of treatment programs and a lack of community resources. Parents and foster parents may already be overwhelmed with their own daily problems; this is often combined with a mistrust, teen population driven by fear, and a drive for independence, all of which make adolescent planning a dif uences that fl have enabled me to reach my goals. systems are these support Unfortunately, not equally distributed throughout the teen population. In working with this adolescent population, I discovered these teens are not often provided with a family support system, and this can make each day a struggle. I am challenged on a daily basis; I need to work closely with foster parents, treatment providers, the court system, and family members with the ultimate goal of planning a successful future for the adolescent. Unfortunately, my work is within the constraints of an I was taught that the world was not going to be handed to me, but it was understood that this did not mean that I could not work toward what I needed aware of the from life. I am, however, support and positive in Entering the adolescent phase can be Entering the adolescent phase can be one of the most challenging events in a Adolescents strive to develop life. teen’s their own views; they become dreamers and pursue the hope that the future will This become more stable than the present. becomes extremely critical when working with an adolescent clientele that does not have the support of a stable home life. An adolescent who has grown up in or has been placed into the “system,” such as in foster care, sometimes cannot help losing trust in the very system whose primary focus was to provide permanency. Adolescents involved in the system share and often less supportive quite a different environment and as a result may not have the opportunity to develop to their full potential. I was with the social service agency I was with the social I was transferred for ten months before “Adolescents.” to a specialized unit, was only a Even though the move previous desk few strides from my a whole other it was like I entered recently completed As I had world. . and in-service my training program if this move courses, I wondered clients, but I would best serve our behind. soon left my apprehension I had been given an opportunity to support and motivate adolescents, an area of service that has come to be mutually rewarding. The Adolescent Population: A Worker’s Perspective A Worker’s Population: The Adolescent MSW Ryan Skal, Collaborations & Perspectives Adolescents inFoster Care CW transportation, itisdif concerns andinsurancecosts. Without a licenseordrivecarduetoliability care generallyarenotallowedtoobtain into adulthood.Forexample,youthin eligible youthtosuccessfullytransition Others barrierslimittheabilityof received ETVs. served, andanadditional188youth less than30%ofthoseeligible,were counties apply. During2007,796youth, about 40%ofthetribesand96% youth ontheircaseloads.Historically, apply forChafeefundstoserveeligible 87 countiesand11 tribes invitingthemto An annualBulletinissenttoMinnesota’s program. Vouchers (ETVs),muchlikeascholarship also provideEducationand Training transitional housingservices. The funds skills training,casemanagement,and based agenciestoprovideintensivelife Therefore, DHScontractswithcommunity when youthgraduatefromhighschool. child welfarebene care uptoage21.Ingeneral,Minnesota’s states toserveyouthwhohaveagedoutof t ance funds). The Chafee Act requires Vouchers (post-secondaryeducationassis- $624,000 forEducationand Training $1.8 millionperyearwithanadditional of care.Minnesota’s Chafeeallocationis and youth18to21whohaveagedout of-home-care andexpectedto“ageout”, 14 andolderwhoareinlongtermout- uses Chafeefundstoserveyouthages of post-secondaryeducation.Minnesota to adulthoodandassiststhemwiththecost and formeryouthincareforthetransition which providesfundstopreparecurrent Chafee FosterCareIndependence Act Services (DHS)administersthefederal The MinnesotaDepartmentofHuman Claire Hill The MinnesotaDepartmentofHumanServices’ Role Preparing Minnesota’s Youth inCare for Adulthood: transportation, a savingsaccount,ajob, care withouthealth insurance,ameansof graduation. Too manyyouthageoutof from fostercareatage18orhigh school policy continuestodischarge youth a lowpriorityforsocialworkers. County permanency forolderadolescents isoften post-secondary school.Further, job andsavemoneyforindependenceor 360 o

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fi nding man ag ing onabudget, progressingin fi ETVs haveassisted them. Youth report about howChafeefundedservices and to speakwithover100youth eachyear DHS staff membershavetheopportunity from care. care aged16andolderpriorto discharge of independentlivingplansforyouthin amended in2008torequirecourtreviews Statute 260C.212,subd.7whichwas Other stateefforts includeMinnesota Chafee funds. richly complementefforts madewith for youthleavingcare. These resources youth incareandtopreventhomelessness allocated toprovidehealthytransitionsfor homeless youth.Fouryearsagofundswere outreach, andtransitionalhousingfor allocating fundingforshelters,street older adolescentsinrecentyearsby The MinnesotaLegislaturehassupported youth inout-of-homecare. Members includecurrentandformer three Minnesotacommunitiesin2008. organized Youth LeadershipCouncilsin advisory andplanningcommittees,DHS addition togivingyouthavoiceon is criticaltotheworkofstate.In Youth leadershipand involvement adolescents intransitiontoadulthood. and fosterparentsonhowtoworkwith youth workers,countysocialworkers is providedtotribes,communityagency in care. Training andtechnicalassistance they maybene the availabilityofChafeefundsandhow Welfare Advisory Committeetodiscuss annually withMinnesota’s IndianChild and programissues.DHSalsomeets plans, legislativeinitiatives,andpolicy and examinestheChafeebudget,training agencies. The committeemeetsquarterly from countyandcommunitysocialservice and formerfostercareyouthmembers Advisory Committeethatincludescurrent DHS staff hasconvenedaChafeeProgram In ordertoaddresssomeoftheseissues, live. connection toacaringadult,orplace nding jobs,maintaininghousing, fi t Native American youth contacted [email protected]. Department ofHumanServices. Shecanbe Permanency Divisionwithinthe Minnesota Consult Claire HillisaSocialServices Program ant intheChildSafetyand eligible youth.Examplesinclude: or madeappropriationstoassistChafee other statesthathavepassedlegislation Minnesota canlooktotheexampleof for theirneeds. of youthagingoutcareandadvocate and supportproviders,listentothevoices Chafee-funded servicesstatewide,train its efforts tomaximizeandcoordinate and community. DHSwillcontinue connection withpositiveadults,friends postsecondary school,anddevelopinga • • • • • • • • • become their transition,establishcredit,and allow youthtoaccrueassetssupport Individual developmentaccountsto Mentor programs. drive. increase allowingyouthincareto Funds forfosterparents’ carinsurance to returncare,uptheageof21. Allowance foryouthwholeavecare costs, uptoage21. Funds forout-of-homeplacement of care. Tuition waiversforyouthagingout care, uptoage21. Assistance foryouthagingoutof Automatic enrollmentinMedical of care. options statewideforyouthagingout Funds toexpandtransitionalhousing funds. Funds tomatchChafeeandETV fi scally literate. Collaborations & Perspectives

dentiality. spring 2009 2009 spring ﬁ o intergenerational intergenerational 360 CW

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents eld is the founder and fi 33 camp, we meet in small council camp, we meet in feel free to groups where youth and honestly openly, talk deeply, each other on providing support for to them. issues that are important At age 17, Sam* found his adoptive dad within a year of beginning our program. He became like a brother nalized in January, 2009. nalized in January, fi Diane J. Dela Inc. of Under One Sky, Executive Director She can be contacted at (828) 251-9793 or [email protected]. *Names have been changed for con Building trust and forming meaningful and forming meaningful Building trust a huge challenge relationships can be share When youth who for these youth. come together a common experience they naturally begin to consistently, At for each other. mentor and advocate to Dwight*, age 16, while in the same council group at camp. Once secure in Sam asked his father if he his new family, began in Visits would also adopt Dwight. words, “Now spring 2008 and, in Sam’s The adoption dad is my dad.” Dwight’s was During the past four years, we have built a solid community of youth, social workers, adoptive/foster parents, mentors, have found We and board members. staff, permanency for 24 teens who have grown, matured, and accomplished some of their dreams. Even so, several youth are about to leave foster care without a permanent All the youth in our program, family. even those who have been adopted, by want the continued support offered a community of caring adults on their are committed We passage to adulthood. to taking this critical next step with these youth by developing programming to meet their unique needs. These extraordinary young people inspire vision as we plan us to be faithful to a larger our future — to build an multicultural village that will provide for adult- permanency and preparation hood for youth in foster care. program is based on the program Passages times a year (seasonally) at a residential camp where they participate in activities such as life and work skills workshops leadership, that promote self-discovery, and overall positive youth development. in the workshops of their participate Youth choice, thereby encouraging independent tion of decision making and explora of a variety offer We individual interests. experiential workshops taught by skilled adults who serve as instructor-mentors during camp and often provide ongoing mentoring between camp sessions. Each youth with a plan of adoption develops his or her own personal recruitment video and mini-magazine featuring hopes, dreams, and interests. Whether the goal is adoption or another form of permanency (kinship, guardianship, life-long mentor), all youth in our program have a voice in planning their are encouraged to develop Youth futures. healthy self-knowledge, responsibility, relationships, and independent living skills; all of which are the foundation of permanency and preparation for successful transition to adulthood. have learned invaluable lessons about We adoption recruitment from the youth we serve. First and foremost, they have taught us that they want to take a leadership role in As Daniel* said to their recruitment efforts. an audience of child welfare professionals at a national conference, “I know myself better than anyone else, so it should be worth the risk of me talking about me. It’s even if it means putting yourself ‘out there’ disappointment in the end if no one calls.” The for the capacity offundamental respect authors of their ownyouth to act as the programs engagelives. Our asset-based adoption recruitmentyouth in their own four and bring the youth together efforts nd fi Youth are encouraged to develop self- develop to encouraged are Youth tion- healthy rela responsibility, knowledge, skills; all of dent living ships, and indepen of permanency the foundation which are to transition successful for and preparation adulthood. rst program fi in 2004 as a , I never imagined Passages , a camp-based program in eld Passages My name is Jamie* and I am 17 years 17 years is Jamie* and I am My name When we began natural outgrowth of our Campaigns for Kids the impact this program would have on and our board youth, social workers, staff, What began as a camp-based of directors. adoption recruitment program evolved the youth call which into a community, “family.” permanency for youth awaiting adoption asset-based programs through year-round, encour- that prepare youth for permanency, age their emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth, and provide them with a ive community of peers, mentors, support and caring adults. Asheville, North Carolina serving youth in foster care ages 12-18 who are legally cleared for adoption. Our mission is to Jamie is part of an Under One Sky program called “ of the At age six, I came into custody old. Services because Department of Social At age 14 abusive. were my parents placements, I had a and after about 40 I lived family. chance for an adoptive not did with them, but I really family was understand what a witnessed because I had only my many bits and pieces over immature, moves. I was very was a joke, thought everything I and thought that the trouble But the was causing was funny. I needed family saw differently. a wake up call, but it did not come in everything fell apart.” time before Permanency for Teens through Youth Directed Recruitment Directed Youth through Teens for Permanency Diane J. Delafi Collaborations & Perspectives Adolescents inFoster Care CW Will theolderyouth for theolderyouthwithdisabilities. consideration whenseekingpermanency key componentsthatmustbetakeninto adop tive family’s communityareother Cultural awarenessandthepotential the family’s long-termsuccess. STAR familytoincreasethechances of services areoffered toeveryProject service curriculum.Post-permanency segment onadoptingteensinthepre- recruiting newfamiliesandincludesa these keypiecesofinformationwhen Project STAR emphasizes the adoptionis available tothemevenafter know thatsupportsare family, andwhenthey having foundapermanent after leavingcarewithout outcomes fortheirlives families andthenegative number ofteenswaitingfor understand thesheer to adoptteenswhenthey Families aremotivated older youthaswellforthefamily. services isessentialforthesakeof learns quicklythataccesstopost-adoption a familyisdif experiences ofolderyouth,thebondingin some instances,duetothenegativepast disabilities intotheirhomes.However, in expectation ofbringingchildrenthathave family withProjectSTAR, comewiththe parents, whowishtobecomeanadoptive with disabilities.Consequently, resource expanded ourservicestoincludeteens fragile children.Overtime,wehave focus was Children’s Instituteopeneditsdoors,our In 1985,whenProjectSTAR at The Ph.D. By Patricia Saunders-Madison, Finding Permanency for theOlderYouth withDisabilities will af involve theolder youthinactivitiesthat prepared, child’s ethnichistory?Ifnot,is thefamily tion? Doesthefamilysharesome ofthe important tothefamilyunder con sidera- to attendafaith-basedinstitution? Isthat in educationallaw?Doesthe child wish special educationdepartmentwell-versed tured forspecialeducationclasses?Isthe himself andothers?Istheschoolstruc- her disabilitiescreateisolationbetween 360 o fi

rm hisor heridentity? spring 2009 fi nancially and emotionally, to fi nding homesformedically fi cult. The adoptivefamily fi nalized. fi | t inorwillhis 34

certi older child.” Annual re- successfully placing“the is anothercriticalfactorin and fosterresourcefami lies Supporting ouradop tive youth with adoptive resources. “Multiple, youth withadoptive resources.“Multiple, primary responsibilities aretomatcholder one ormorechild focusedrecruiterswhose for olderyouth.Eachagencyhas identi involved inatwoyearmatching initiative Children and Youth agencies,areactively along withseveralPennsylvania County Adoption andFosterCare Bethanna, STAR at The Children’s Institute, Diakon Lutheran Adoption andFosterCare.Project through ourpartnershipwithDiakon older youthswithdisabilitiesandfamilies Project STAR demonstratescommitmentto youth. role inthesuccessfulplacementofanolder health facilitiesalsoplaysanimportant and coordinationwithmedicalmental with disabilities.Increasedcooperation other adoptivefamilieswitholderyouth questions andpromotenetworkingwith specialist oftencanbeenoughtoanswer Support fromtheirformerpermanency with resourcesandlistentotheirconcerns. the staff ofProjectSTAR istoassistthem Families quickly the HolidayGiftDrive,supportgroups include ourFallFestivalandHayride, our FamilyEnrichmentactivities. These to stayintouchwiththeagencythrough another child.Fam i lies areencouraged chooses tobegintheprocessagainwith is nolongermandatedunlessthefamily fi families. However, upon all fosteringandadoptive nalization oradoption,thisrequirement fi cation isrequiredfor disabilities. their olderyouth’s on howtomanage sometimes bewildered begin tofeelaloneand with ouragency, they once thetieisbroken tion oftendiscoverthat STAR upon ment withProject con tinue theirinvolve- fam ilies whodonot and respitecare. Those fi nd outhow receptive the olderyouth withdisabilities. sideration whenseekingpermanencyfor components thatmust betaken into con- adop tive family’s community are otherkey Cultural awareness andthepotential fi nali za- fi ed ed for these youth and families. for theseyouthandfamilies. increase thechancesoflong-termsuccess post-adoption supportandprogramswill the workworthwhile. We alsoknowthat faces oftheyouthandtheirfamiliesmake adoption is with disabilities.However, ontheday to matchingafamilywiththeolderyouth There isalotofplanningthatoccursprior a morepersonalway. waiting children,tellingthechild’s storyin conduct PowerPointpresentationson “Matching Moments”whenproviders adopt. A majorelementofthiseventis to-face contactwithfamilieswaitingto are invitedtoparticipateandmakeface- on theolderyouth.Otheragencyproviders awareness eventeveryMarch,withafocus Families through Adoption” matchingand Project STAR hostsourannual“Growing Initiative forOlder Youth, 2008). Lutheran SocialMinistriesMatching at www.amazingkids.org. Project STAR, visit theChildren’s Institute [email protected]. To learn more about Patricia canbereached through emailat Institute inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Director ofProject STAR atThe Children’s Patricia Saunders-Madison,Ph.D. isthe Making Matrix Maureen Heffernan’s Placement/Decision- Network (SWAN) selectiontooland Statewide Adoption andPermanency matching processusingthePennsylvania use ofgroupdecision-makingduringthe of congrega tions, countychildrenandyouth initiatives, existingrelationshipswithlocal events, targeted recruitmentandmarketing identi for formerkin,pastresourcesofchildren Adoption Exchange(PAE), diligentsearch collaboration withthePennsylvania child focusedrecruitment,intensive used toachievethisgoal,including: innovative matchingstrategieswillbe fi ces, fosterparentassociationsandthe fi ed fortheprogram,awareness fi nalized, thesmileson ” (Lewis, 2000; Diakon (Lewis, 2000;Diakon Collaborations & Perspectives culty fi spring 2009 2009 spring

v i e o

n y w g e elat ar 360 relatively alone. r Even if they didn’t Even if they didn’t Eve now achieve perma- achie ith p arin nency, youth would nency, nenc know they had k c caring rela tion ships c hose with people beyond with people beyond w CW those who were paid those who were paid t

to care for them. In to care for them. In to |

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents Adolescents 35 cacy of independent living skills ﬁ dditi b tt t iti programs. Yet almost to a person, these Yet programs. had dif young adults were lonely, trusting, felt an emptiness impacting their trusting, felt an emptiness impacting their daily living, and often lacked the skills to make and sustain successful relationships. exit care without permanency that Youth can no longer be termed “success stories” by these programs or their evaluators, even if they become “stars.” has done much to change While CPYP local child welfare practice, attitudes, measures are other procedure and policy, required to sustain permanency work. State leadership must support its practice through creating standards and providing Alloca- training and technical assistance. tion of state and federal funds must shift to provide necessary resources to youth these Without in need of permanency. and other key supports in place, youth will remain tenuous permanency efforts and episodic, and thousands of California foster youth will join the tens of thousands from of former foster youth who suffer loneliness and are confounded regularly by the ordeals that most young people face with the guidance of their enduring connections. addition, better opportunities would have addition, better opportunities through grief and existed for youth to work loss and to develop lifelong relationships while still in the child welfare system rather than after they emancipated. challenges the basis on which EYCP young people aging out of the foster care system are viewed as “success stories.” Many young adults were seen as shining star success stories that validated the ef Bob Friend MSW, LCSW is the Director LCSW is the Director Bob Friend MSW, of the California Permanency for Youth at Friend can be reached Mr. Project. (510) 268-8783 or [email protected]. rst time. ﬁ t: le in his

s t o c nding family fi cation, adoption, guardianship) cation, The majority of these youth had experienced multiple placements, remained for an extended time in the system, and were not on track to form permanent connections. for 56 youth (57%). Many of these sibling connections were situations in which the project youth met his or her siblings for the fi An adult consistently states An adult consistently that and demonstrates an she or he has entered unconditional, lifelong parent-like relationship with the youth. The youth agrees that role in his the adult will play this or her life. • • rather than exiting care at age eighteen In 2006, CPYP created the Emancipated In 2006, CPYP Project (EYCP) to Connections Youth assist twenty young adults who left the tained foster care system without sus This relationships to a caring adult. eighteen-month project was tremen- dously successfully in or other caring adults to be lifelong connections. Data available for 19 of the 20 participants showed that: 139 new per ma nent connections were biological family members and 42 new made with permanent connections were made with non-biological family members. These results demonstrate that permanency can be attained for older youth in foster care and for young adults who have left the child welfare system without permanency. Had these 181 new connections been formed while the participants were still in care, some would have left the system to legally permanent outcomes (reuni CPYP has provided training and technical has provided training CPYP assistance to twenty county child welfare sites in California and to their legal, In and congregate care partners. foster, 2008, evaluation of this work within ten counties determined that for youth who were provided with the recommended services, 91 out of 120 (76%) had formed a permanent connection to a caring adult. Sibling connections were also strengthened nding a cation and fi nes a permanent connection as cation, legal adoption, or fi fi guardianship, where possible, and in which the youth has the opportunity to maintain contacts with important persons including brothers and sisters. A safe, stable, and secure parenting A relationship. Love. Unconditional commitment. Lifelong support in the context of reuni nding a permanent connection with at fi • • • • CPYP views permanency as both a CPYP views permanency as both that includes and a result process as a of the youth involvement in fi participant or leader permanent connection with at least with at least permanent connection adult. one committed rst four national permanency conferences one in which: adoption are two important options among many that may be appropriate. de CPYP A broad array of individualized perma- A nency options exist; reuni least one committed adult who provides: CPYP views permanency as both a pro- CPYP cess and a result that includes involvement of the youth as a participant or leader in from 2002 to 2006; in all there have been from 2002 to 2006; in all there have been six permanency conferences, which bring best practices across the nation together so interested people can learn and share. Our vision is to achieve permanency for older children and youth in the California child welfare system so that no youth leaves without a lifelong connection to a caring adult. Bob Friend, MSW, LCSW Bob Friend, Youth for The California Permanency created to address Project (CPYP) was welfare to establish the failure of child Founding Director permanency for youth. in established CPYP Pat Reynolds-Harris Stuart Foundation. 2003 from grants by the support from The project has also received S.H. Cowell, and S. Johnson, Walter the and from Zellerbach Family Foundations, hosted its CPYP Casey Family Programs. fi California Permanency for Youth Project: Youth for Permanency California An Overview Collaborations & Perspectives Adolescents inFoster Care CW As the has servedmorethan3,500fosteryouth. organization’s housing, andemployment.Inthe foster youthintheareasofeducation, address thefundamentalneedsofformer a comprehensivenetworkofservicesthat mission bydevelopingandimplementing First Placehasaggressivelypursuedthis each year. Sinceitsinceptionin1998, out” oremancipatefromfostercare looked, populationofyouthwho“age among thegrowing,yetlargely over - the povertyandhomelessnessthatexists based organization foundedtoprevent First Placefor Youth isaBay Area- Claudia Miller First Place for Youth healthy, productiveandhonorableadults: the skillsandresourcesneeded tobecome foster youthbyensuringthattheyhave to improvethelifechancesofformer three inter-connected programsdesigned First Placeachievesitsmissionbyoffering three timeslesslikelytobearrested. give birthbeforetheageof21;andnearly be employed;threetimeslesslikelyto homelessness; nearlytwiceaslikelyto fi to graduatefromhighschool;almost college; approximatelytwiceaslikely six timesmorelikelytobeenrolledin care system,FirstPlaceparticipantsare: 18 monthsafterdischarge fromthefoster general populationoffosteryouth12to advancement. When comparedtothe increasing opportunitiesforeducational poverty andadulthomelessness has amajorimpactthroughreducing these measuresindicatethatFirstPlace impact onthetarget population.Ultimately, measures regardingprogramef The organization hasestablishedbaseline consistently achievedexcellentoutcomes. model. Ouryouthparticipantshave Place hasbecomeanationallyrecognized and resourcesforformerfosteryouth,First addressing thelackofaffordable housing California dedicatedexclusivelyto ve timeslesslikelytoexperience 360 • Participants receive arangeofsup- to achievelong-term self-suf sive transitional servicesnecessary manent housingcoupledwith inten- foster youthwithaccesstosafe, per- My FirstPlace o

spring 2009 ﬁ rst organization inNorthern ﬁ rst tenyears,FirstPlace providesemancipated | 36

fi cacy and cacy fi ciency. the THP-Plus Implementation Project. considered the“recommended model” by Program-Plus, or THP-Plus) andis funding source(Transitional Housing development ofasustainable public participant intheStateofCalifornia’s foster youth. The organization wasakey homeless orimminentlyformer with approximately200housingslotsfor housing providerinthestateofCalifornia Currently, First Placeisthelargest • • youth lastyear. and academiccounselingtonearly70 weekly therapeuticcasemanagement transition. FirstFoundationprovided and mentallypreparedfortheir intervention soyouthareemotionally outcome andprovidesamentalhealth that youthachieveaneducational discharge. FirstFoundationensures provide themwithcriticalsupportafter for emancipationfromfostercareand risk group-homeyouth(ages16-19) program designedtopreparehigh- First Foundation more than640youthlastyear. tion. The FirstStepscenterserved fi that addresshealth,relationships, foster youthastheyaccessworkshops ing currentandformer a pivotalroleinsupport- events. FirstStepsplays and communitybuilding and utilityassistance, support, emergency food cation andemploy ment emancipation planningtraining,edu- and grouphous ing searchassistance, of resourcesincludingindividual center whichprovidesawiderange First Steps Francisco, ContraCosta,andSolano. San counties: Alameda, Bay Area 239 youthand109childreninfour My FirstPlaceprovidedhousingto and communitysupport.Lastyear, case management,lifeskillstraining, and vocationalcounseling,individual economic literacyclasses,education roommate mediation,foodstipends, sidy, move-inassistanceandsupplies, port, includingagraduatedrentalsub- nancial planning,andcommunica- isayouthcommunity isapreventive practice programs inthenation. Foundation program asoneof20best and HumanServices selected theFirst In 2003,theU.S.DepartmentofHealth fi orcmiller@ contacted at(510)272-0979 in Oakland,California.Shecanbe Manager forFirstPlaceYouth Claudia MilleristheRegionalDevelopment 10 yearstodemonstratetheef been collectedinternallyoverthelast it hasproveneffectiveness. Datahas invest resourcesintoamodelunless model believingthereisnoreasonto incorporated evaluationintoitsprogram From itsinception,FirstPlacehas Program Evaluation replication andoutcomes. model andhasdemonstratedsuccessful the programaswelltohelpre evolution thathasacodi is theonlyorganization atastageinits our programsuccessrates.FirstPlace evaluation toprovideanoutsidelookat our topprioritiesincludesathird-party evaluation andaccountability. Oneof that continuestoemphasizerigorous now hasadecentralizedevaluationtool meet standardsofexcellence.FirstPlace program toensurethatitcontinues study of housing modelwasincludedinanational Additionally, FirstPlace’s scatteredsite national signi has ledFirstPlacetofurtherre foster youth. The successofthisprogram organization currentlyserves45former alone centerinSolanoCounty, wherethe First Placeimplementedits practice programsinthenation.In2007, Foundation programasoneof20best and HumanServicesselectedtheFirst In 2003,theU.S.DepartmentofHealth conditions forfosteryouthintransition. into otherregionsofCalifornia. program modelandplanforexpansion rstplaceforyouth.org. fi ve programsofpotential fi cance workingtoimprove fi e program ed fi rt stand- rst fi cc of cacy fi fi ne the ne n its ne Collaborations & Perspectives

Our spring 2009 2009 spring o c instruction on c instruction ﬁ 360 right and necessary CW

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 37 cer at Ampersand Families. Ampersand cer at rmly accountable for age- rmly accountable fi fi As long as Ampersand is in As long as to do. nalizing their adoption. appropriate decisions and behaviors. They appropriate decisions and behaviors. to driver’s are coloring one hour and off an amazingly education the next. It’s contradictory journey of breathtaking love and agonizing heartache. Ampersand Families we believe that At families committed to social justice will continue to respond to the call on behalf of the teens. Because it’s thing com mitted family makes those chal lenges mitted family makes those chal com more manageable, but our youth (and thus long their families) will likely face life challenges in navigating the world. Ampersand Families asks parents to make an unconditional commitment to youth. In return, we as an agency make an unconditional commitment to our families: to help your existence, we will be here regardless adopted child and your family, been or whether public of how long it’s money exists to pay for our time. non-time limited commitment to families has been comforting to families who fear by the system after being ‘abandoned’ fi Adopting a teen means entering a world of contradiction and complexity where a 6-foot tall, bearded seventeen year old is as likely to need playtime with blocks and toy trucks as he is speci Tender, decision-making regarding sex. nurturing experiences with parents are as essential for our teens as their need to be held Michelle Chalmers, MSW, is the Co- Michelle Chalmers, MSW, Executive Of She can be contacted at (612) 605-1902 or at [email protected]. fteen fi cer and teacher. cer and teacher. cant emotional, fi fi low employment rates, and low educational attain- trate ment all illus social an urgent At justice issue. Ampersand Fami- lies, we believe uences the type of families that come fl behavioral, mental and/or physical health The stability of a permanently needs. to us for pre-adoption training, home study and placement services. Adopting a teen from foster care is emotionally draining work that mixes the skills roommate, therapist, of parent, mentor, police of social worker, Most of our youth are in contact with birth family and other kin. Successful adoptive families support these contacts and build the skills to help their child successfully navigate those relationships. Most of our youth also have signi will emancipate out of foster care will emancipate out of without permanency (Minnesota Department of Human Services, Child for 2005, 2006). Report Welfare There is well documented research on the long-term outcomes for youth who emancipate from foster care (Courtney, 2007). Increased rates of court involve- in- ment (both as victims and offenders), creased rates of pregnancy before age 20, that it is simply wrong for our community to allow wave after wave of young people to begin adulthood without the safe, committed family relationships essential for a meaningful life. social justice framework Ampersand’s leads us to focus our work in a unique way that engages young people in decision- making about their own lives. It also in helped reduce the number of the number of helped reduce years younger children spending achieving in foster care without as However, permanency. there is a children grow older odds of dramatic drop in their family. joining a permanent of The Minnesota Department that Human Services estimates are under 94% of youth who age state guardianship at the right and necessary the right and necessary to recruit and support permanent to recruit cant numbers without changes to cant numbers without fi , opened its doors in October 2008. Individual professionals’ mistaken beliefs that mistaken Individual professionals’ and that no families don’t need families teens the barrier to constant a near are want teens to required and creativity open-mindedness teens. permanency for achieve The existing child welfare system can work Tighter for younger children. effectively timelines and innovative practices have Thus, Ampersand Families with its Thus, mission families for older youth and to champion practices in adoption and permanency belonging, dignity and that restore hope mission directs us to Ampersand Families’ provide exceptional direct services while also applying constant pressure to repair systemic issues that sabotage permanency. In the day to day work with each individual youth, institutional procedures, practices, statutes and rules that do not serve youths’ best interests become apparent. Individual mistaken beliefs that teens professionals’ need families and that no families don’t want teens are a near constant barrier to the open-mindedness and creativity required to achieve permanency for teens. will not achieve permanency in Teens signi how the system operates. Why would any professional in her right any professional in Why would agency in a mind open a new adoption more than 30 state that already boasts Jen Braun licensed adoption agencies? Ampersand Families simply and I founded because it was The Homecoming Over its 5-year run, to view an opportunity Project gave staff of the existing with fresh eyes the capacity of meet the needs system to effectively The older youth awaiting adoptive families. federally-funded Minnesota Department of Human Services project worked with 100 youth referred from 30 counties and every private adoption agency that had a Minnesota waiting-child program. It waiting became obvious that Minnesota’s teens desperately needed an organization focused exclusively on permanency behalf. on their efforts Ampersand Families: Restoring Belonging, Dignity and Hope Dignity and Belonging, Restoring Families: Ampersand MSW Chalmers, Michelle thing to do. Practice Adolescents inFoster Care CW monroecounty.gov. Her contactinformationismszilagyi@ and teensinfostercare inRochesterNY. Pediatrics, themedicalhomeforchildren Rochester andMedicalDirector ofStarlight Professor ofPediatricsattheUniversity Moira SzilagyiMD,Ph.D.isan Associate Massinga, 2005;Scannapieco,1995). 2005; Kessler, 2008;Lindsey, 1999; (Courtney, 2006;English,GAO, care coordinationbeyondfoster independent livingservices,andhealth for Medicaiduptoage23years,improved emancipating youth,universaleligibility follow-up ofarandomsample Recommendations includelongitudinal and howtoimprovetheiroutcomes. our knowledgeaboutemancipatingyouth have maderecommendationstoimprove Given theabovedata,multipleexperts Library ofCongress.* the Congressional Research Serviceorthe the authorandare notpresented asthoseof *The viewsexpressed herein are thoseof for yearstocome. other questionswilllikelybeaddressed depending ontheirprogress? These and restrictive independentlivingsettings space? Canyouthmovetomoreorless of aleaseordamagedhisherliving 360 Szilagyi, continuedfrom page14 o

spring 2009 | 38

Fernandes, continuedfrom page13

hotmail.com. reached byemailatadrienne_fernandes@ the LibraryofCongress. Shecanbestbe Service, alegislativebranchagencywithin policy fortheCongressional Research Adrienne Fernandesisananalystinsocial 256-5186 [email protected]. of Chicago.Shecanbecontacted at(773) Fellow atChapinHallthe University Cheryl Smithgall,Ph.D.isa Research need tomovesuccessfullyintoadulthood. of coordinatedsupportthatfosterchildren systems isessentialtoprovidingthekind efforts. Bringingtogetherstaff ofthesetwo connectedness oftheirresponsibilitiesand and schoolpersonnelneedtorecognizethe Most important,caseworkers,fosterparents, not, befocusedsolelyonthechild. Interventions neednot,andperhapsshould needs forasenseofsafetyandsecurity. of children’s behaviorproblemsandtheir school staff tobetterunderstandthenature training offosterparents,caseworkers,and incidents withshort-terminterventionsand be diminishedbyrespondingquicklyto The misbehaviorofsomechildrenmay behavioral problemsofchildrenincare. preventive andnuancedresponsetothe systems shouldimplementamore Both thechildwelfareandeducation in juveniledetentionorhospitalization. placement optionsandsometimesresult are associatedwithincreasinglyrestrictive system, behaviorproblemsattheEDlevel schools. Forchildreninthechildwelfare classi many, whosebehaviorsresultinanED For non-childwelfare-involvedchildren, child welfaresystem. with norecordofinvolvementthe higher forthesechildrenthan Smithgall ﬁ cation, areeducatedinalternative , continuedfrom page16 challiance.org. reached at(617)488-6684 or jhyde@ at Harvard MedicalSchool. She canbe at theInstituteforCommunity Health Justeen Hyde,Ph.D.isaSeniorScientist 636-5090 [email protected]. Children. Hercontactinformationis(617) Tufts MedicalCenter, FloatingHospitalfor Professor ofMedicineandPediatricsat Laurel K.Leslie,MD,MPHisan Associate 4. 3. 2. for themselves. some insightintowhatmaybebest as activeandcompetentagentswith a periodof“stressandstorm”but troubled, mentallyill,orde which viewsadolescentsnotjustas This marksagreatculturalshift—one be onestrategyforsuchoversight. services’ strengthsandchallengescan placement servicesaboutthose are theconsumersofout-of-home back fromtheyoungpeoplewho addition, regularlyobtainingfeed- providers shouldbepromoted.In provided. Stabilityofmentalhealth to befocusedonthequalityofcare strongly argue moreattentionneeds ence ofmentalhealthservices,we peo ple experienceintheirexperi- To reducetheinstabilitiesyoung process bedeveloped. sense ofyouthinvolvementinthe and provisionsfortransitiona that thelogicofmovesbeexplained with noclearrationale.Itisimportant by youthasforced,unplannedmoves Placement movesareofteninterpreted youth. and modelappropriatebehaviorfor underlying rootsofthebehaviors in waysthatbothacknowledgethe how tomanagethedif and othercaregiverssotheycanlearn to beinplaceforfosterguardians Strong supportsandguidanceneed compassionate andcommittedcare. capacity ofanycaregivertoprovide issues, andneedsthatwouldstressthe systems withcomplexhistories, people comeintochildwelfare There isnoquestionthatmanyyoung continued from page20 LeslieandHyde,

ﬁ cult behaviors ﬁ nd by ned Practice

spring 2009 2009 spring o rming care for rming ﬁ 360 ourish in an LGBT an LGBT ourish in ﬂ CW

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents ed in her family of origin fi 39 teens even as they begin to age out of teens even as they begin the system. household, these families can offer offer these families can household, safe, loving and af Although it isn’t a given that an a given it isn’t Although child will LGBT Metzger, continued from page 27 continued from Metzger, McHaelen, continued from page 26 continued from McHaelen, will make inroads in helping her parents will make inroads in helping her parents move further along the continuum from rejection to acceptance of their child. S*, by the way, whom we introduced S*, by the way, living as a foster earlier? She has been women who became child with the two ago. She has been her mentors two years — her longest and there just under a year since she came into most stable placement hope that an ally we And we have care. have just identi Conclusion Implementation of the reforms outlined above will help to accomplish the dual aim of preventing the creation of legal orphans while reducing the alarmingly high number of children without legal There is no excuse for permanence. children to be trapped in legal orphan status in this country. of policy at J.D., is director A. Metzger, Sania Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family the by Services. Ms. Metzger can be reached email at [email protected]. Robin P. McHaelen, MSW, is the Executive McHaelen, MSW, Robin P. Colors, Inc. Robin can be of True Director by phone at (860) 649-7386 or by reached email at [email protected]. ve- fi culty in fi continued from page 24 from continued cant decrease in adoption workers’ in adoption workers’ cant decrease received by cant media coverage Skrypek and Decker Gerrard, Skrypek and fi fi Opsahl, continued from page 25 Opsahl, continued from adoptive homes for teens. It is also nding children can help them understand and exercise their options with the objective of easing the transition out of foster care. M. Opsahl, J.D., is a supervising Irene Aid Society of attorney at the Legal She may be Law Project. Minneapolis Youth contacted at (612) 746-3623 or imopsahl@ midmnlegal.org. Maggie Skrypek, MSW, MPP is a Research is a Research MPP Maggie Skrypek, MSW, a division of Research, Associate at Wilder Foundation in St. H. Wilder Amherst the Paul, Minnesota. She can be contacted at (651)280-2694 or [email protected]. M.Ed., is a Michelle Decker Gerrard, a Research, Scientist at Wilder Research Foundation Amherst H. Wilder division of the in St. Paul, Minnesota. She can be contacted at (651)280-2695 or [email protected]. year project. However, in the end, the year project. However, promote and secure project was able to youth and to change permanency for 51 perceptions of adoption workers and This project other key stakeholders. demonstrated that an environment of richer engagement and communication, where youth and a recruitment specialist are an active part of the planning team, may be able to help youth who previously These had little potential for adoption. youth were encouraged to establish a of their own future and vision different to believe in their inherent right to a permanent family. signi of the degree of dif perceptions the project. faced multiple The Homecoming Project of the barriers over the course fi multiple requests for apparent through the engagements, and information, speaking signi

c barriers c fi friendly, ed as LGBT fi Marksamer, Marksamer, continued from page 23 from continued cation and permanency will help fi ensure that transgender foster youth enter adulthood with at least one supportive and committed adult they can call family. Training In order to ensure that workers have the necessary skills to address speci child welfare agencies to permanency, must provide training on working with This training should transgender youth. address common misconceptions including that transgender youth are “acting out” when they express their gender or that they Training have sexual behavior problems. must also teach workers how to support families of transgender youth and how to ive help transgender youth identify support adults in their lives and overcome fears or doubts about long-term relationships with workers on promoting Training adults. reuni Decrease reliance on group care care on group reliance Decrease that families are Because of an assumption a transgender not interested in fostering of families that youth and a shortage agencies have identi of transgender a disproportionate number homes (Wilber youth are placed in group are in group homes Youth et al., 2006). run away or age much more likely to out of care without permanent family connections than youth placed with foster American Council on families (North Accordingly, Adoptable Children, 2005). agencies should not rely on group care for transgender youth and should instead invest resources in identifying, training, and supporting foster families and relative placements that nurture and support transgender youth. existing relationship with a known adult with a known existing relationship to develop requiring the youth instead of stranger. a relationship with a Jody Marksamer, J.D. is a staff attorney and Jody Marksamer, at the National Director Project the Youth Center for Lesbian Rights. He can be or contacted at [email protected] information visit: (415) 392-6257. For more www.nclrights.org. Resources & References Adolescents inFoster Care CW M. (2003,Fall).Lightingthe D., Roberts, T., Rose,J.MD&Stone-Smith, Campbell, K.,Castro,S.,Houston,N.,Koenig, Work, 14, of non-fostercareyouth. sample offostercareyouthandamatchedgroup kids: Educationalexperiencesofarandom Blome, W.W. (1997). What happenstofoster substitute care. The risksassociatedwithgoingmissingfrom Biehal, N.,& Wade, J.(1999). Taking achance? abs/10.1086/588417. from http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/ vulnerable. scoring tounderstandwhatmakesfosteryouth transition toadulthood:Usingpropensity Berzin, S.C.(2008).Dif Adolesc SocWork, 7, experiences ofyouthafterfostercare. Barth, R.P. (1990).Ontheirown: The ethnic_groups.pdf. jeffreyarnett.com/articles/ARNETT_conceptions_ Retrieved November21,2008fromhttp:// Adolescent Development,100 ethnic groups. to adulthoodamongemerging adultsin American Arnett, J.J.(2003).Conceptionsofthetransition cgi/content/full/121/2/e246. e252. Retrievedfromhttp://www.pediatrics.org/ improved adultoutcomes. care withadultmentorsduringadolescencehave Fan, M.,&Lozano,P. (2008). Youth infoster Ahrens, K.R.,DuBois,D.L.,Richardson,L.P., Services Matters. Administrative andJudicialReviewofHuman law/pl105_89/pl105_89.htm. gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/cblaws/public_ Law/ 105-89. Available athttp://www.acf.hhs. Adoption andSafeFamilies Act of1997.Public Administration forChildrenandFamilies. Casey FamilyServices. Convening onYouth Permanence. From Inspirationto Action: The2008National Services &CaseyFamilyPrograms.(2008). Annie E.CaseyFoundation/CaseyFamily care. Supporting permanenceforchildren infoster COUNT Annie E.CaseyFoundation(2007).2007KIDS Foundation. opportunity. Data Book:Movingyouthfrom riskto (2007). Adalist-Estrin, A. Integrated Bibliography New Haven,CT. Greater Permanence:ProgramEvaluation Update. Casey FamilyServices.(2008). The Moveto Behavior andFirstPregnancy. Care andKinshipwith Adolescent Sexual & Steiner, J.F. (2001). The Association ofFoster Carpenter, S.C.,Clyman,R.B.,Davidson, A.J., College SchoolofSocial Work, p.15. Foster CareandPermanencyPlanning,Hunter New York, NY: National ResourceCenterfor welfare system. Families lostandfoundin America’s child 360 Baltimore, MD: Annie E.CaseyFoundation. o

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Child and Practice spring 2009 2009 spring o 360 CW

Adolescents in Foster Care in Foster Adolescents 43 For more information about the America or Alumni of Foster Care the Postcard Project, please visit http://www.fostercarealumni.org/. Ampersand Family Project ( Ampersand Casey Family Services (http://www.caseyfamilyservices.org/index.php) America ( Alumni of Foster Care Under One Sky ( GrandFamilies ( ( Association Minnesota Kinship Caregivers ( Institute at the Children’s Project STAR Colors ( True Research ( Wilder • www.ampersandfamilies.org) • • www.FosterCareAlumni.org) • • http://under1sky.org) • www.grandfamiliesofamerica.org) www.mkca.org) • www.amazingkids.org) • • http://ourtruecolors.org) • www.wilderresearch.org) Notable Organizations Notable from the basis of a shared and are part of their Postcard by former foster care alumni. The purpose of the project is to culturethe culture of foster care.” represent “our shared experiences These postcards were provided by Project. The postcard art is created The postcard Project. the Foster Care Alumni of America Alumni of the Foster Care Safe Harbor Project (S HP) ( Safe Harbor view.asp?a=3670&Q=431680). ( Association American Psychological Outcomes for (2009) Information Gateway. Welfare Child from www.childwelfare.gov/ emancipated youth. Retrieved outofhome/independent/outcomes.cfm. M. (2008). Finding adoptive Chalmers, M. & Skrypek, from http://www.wilder.org/ families for teens. Retrieved download.0.html?report=2107. to call A J. (2005). L.L., Greenblatt, S.B. & Brown, Frey, youth permanency and An integrated approach to action: Retrieved from http://www. preparation for adulthood. caseyfamilyservices.org/pdfs/casey_permanency_0505.pdf. best CWLA J. (2006). & Marksamer, C. Ryan, Wilber,S., youth in out-of-home practice guidelines: Serving LGBT America. League of Welfare D.C.: Child Washington care. • http://www.ct.gov/shp/cwp/ • www.apa.org). • • • • • Resource List Resource and Resources Programs In This Issue . . . CW3600 Feature Issue: Permanency or Aging Out: Adolescents in the Child Welfare System • Best practices for working with older youth in foster care Spring 2009

Executive Editor: Traci LaLiberte • The 2008 Fostering Connections to Success and Managing Editor: Elizabeth Snyder Increasing Adoptions Act (P.L. 110-351), and its impact Associate Editor: Mira Swanson Design: Heidi Wagner on adolescents aging out of foster care and fi nding Layout: Lisa Beller permanency Acknowledgements: The following people have been instrumental to the creation of • Alternatives to foster care: Kinship care as a this publication: Nancy Johnston, Scotty Daniels, Tracy Crudo, Katy Armendariz, permanency strategy Colleen Martinson, Danielle Meehan, and Laurie McGinley. • Outcomes for youth who age out of foster care: CW360° is published annually by the Center for Education, health, income, and housing. Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW), School of Social Work, College of Education and Human Development, University of • Aging out and fi nding permanency with special Minnesota. This issue was supported, in part, by populations: Specifi c challenges for LGBTQ adolescents grant #439481, 000000013744 from Minnesota Department of Human Services, Children and Family Services Division. • Personal stories and strategies from former foster youth The opinions expressed are those of the authors and those who work with them and do not necessarily refl ect the views of the Center, School, College, University or their • Research and resources from organizations around the funding source. country

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