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What do we know and what we want to know on care leavers

What do we know and what we want to know on care leavers. Rami Benbenishty Bar Ilan University Anat Zeira Hebrew University. This Presentation. Sources for the presentation. Literature review Studies: Follow up of a cohort of care leavers – CBS Evaluation of intervention programs

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What do we know and what we want to know on care leavers

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  1. What do we know and what we want to know on care leavers Rami Benbenishty Bar Ilan University Anat Zeira Hebrew University

  2. This Presentation

  3. Sources for the presentation • Literature review • Studies: • Follow up of a cohort of care leavers – CBS • Evaluation of intervention programs • National need assessment • Follow up of alumni • Longitudinal follow up • Young person centers • Youth in Civic-National Service • Adolescents in school

  4. Scientific Background

  5. Emerging Adulthood • Adolescence starts early and continues for a longer period • Young persons get married later and explore longer • Emerging adulthood for care leavers is tougher: shorter and steeper • Findings on outcomes of alumni are distressing

  6. External Resources and Stressors • Family • Peers • Staff • Over time- colleagues, bosses

  7. Family Status

  8. Father Education

  9. Parents with Criminal Records% of

  10. Towards Leaving Care

  11. Main issues • Readiness • Needs • Future Perceptions • Resources for the future- Education

  12. Readiness Readiness to leave care pertains to the adolescent’s • ability to provide independently for basic needs, • feel comfortable with her/himself • have satisfying relationships with significant others in the family, community and the society at large (Maluccio, Krieger & Pine, 1990). Tangible Intangible

  13. Areas of Readiness • Education • Military Civic/National Service • Employment • Dwellings • Household maintenance • Health promotion • Interpersonal relationships • Normative behavior

  14. On the Verge of Leaving Care

  15. Education • Low achievements early on • Higher chances to be in a: • Vocational school • Special education • Drop out • In treatment

  16. Main needs identified by residential workers on the verge of leaving care • Financial aid for continuing education • Financial aid for housing and independent living • Vocational training • Employment skills • Job search skills • Help in military status as a ‘lone soldier’ • Helping residential care to provide housing

  17. After Leaving Care

  18. Care Leavers’ LivesWorld Findings • Education • Employment • Criminal involvement • Substance use • Mental health, suicide attempts • Physical health • Early parenting • Welfare dependent

  19. Care Leavers’ LivesFindings in Israel • We are in the first stages • What we know now: • Retrospective assessments are positive • Their current situation does not seem as bad as in other reports in the world • We are unable to reach a small group; probably in bad situation- especially Ethiopian origin • Difficulties in the military service • Economic difficulties

  20. Legislation, Policy and Programs

  21. Examples of legislation • USA • 1986 – Aging out of Care • 1999 - Chafee Foster Care Independent Act • UK • The Children Act • Israel • ?????

  22. Elements of programs in the US and UK • Preparation while in care • Housing • Health insurance • Education • Life skills enhancement • Personal mentoring / support / follow up • Advocacy, complaints • Empowerment and representation • Resource centers

  23. Barriers to the design of programs in Israel • Difficulties surrounding transitions between: • Ages • Agencies / departments • Ministries (welfare, education, housing, defense, immigrant absorption) • Local authorities • Government – third sector

  24. Main lessons from the world(Glimps) • Build the infrastructure while in care • Support during transition • Support after leaving care • Redesign and provide additional resources to current service system • Include young persons / care leavers in the design of policy and programs

  25. Some Israeli Points • Changing scene in education – Yes, We Can • Use the military as a leverage • Civic-National Service – An emerging opportunity

  26. And finally, an infomercial • The challenges • Science • Use knowledge as the basis for policy and programs • Monitor the status of youth in care and after leaving care • Evaluate policy and programs • International collaboration • Share • Adopt critically • Evaluate • Modify • Share

  27. Toda Shalom & LhitraoutRami Benbenishty ramibenben@gmail.comAnat Zeira, msanatz@huji.ac.il

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