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Solutions for Foster Youth Educational Needs Workshop

This workshop addresses the educational challenges of dependent and delinquent youth in the foster care system. Learn about identifying needs, providing support, and positive outcomes for youth.

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Solutions for Foster Youth Educational Needs Workshop

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  1. School Site Professional Development Workshop Educational Needs of Dependent and Delinquent Youth Prepared by Sponsored by

  2. Dependency The Puzzle Comes Together

  3. Learning Objectives • Increased awareness of the foster care system • Increased understanding of your role relative to youth in foster care

  4. Dependency • A generic term for children living in “out-of-home” care • Youth living in foster homes, group homes, relative care, institutions, or with their birth families under supervision • Overseen by the government; may be contracted out • Youth usually have history of child abuse, neglect or abandonment • Undocumented youth may also be in the dependency system

  5. Basic Facts about Foster Care Number of children • 520,000 in the United States • 30,000 in Florida • 5000 in Miami-Dade County Average length of stay • 3 years for all youth in foster care • 6 years for youth who turn 18 while in care - Casey Family Programs

  6. Abuse Report -> Child Taken into Custody Shelter Hearing Sounding Adjudicatory Hearing Case Planning Conference Disposition Judicial Review Child Returned To Parent Alternative Long- Term Placement Termination of Parental Rights

  7. Endless Dreams

  8. Primary Concern The educational needs of the nearly half million youth in foster care have largely gone unrecognized - United States Department of Health and Human Services

  9. Educational Challenges • Enrollment in school • Identification of youth • Assessment of educational needs • Delivery of services • Monitoring of academic progress • Collaboration among entities

  10. Expressed Youth Needs • Uncertainty of living arrangements • Concerns about biological families • Peer Relationships • Adult Support • Academic assistance • Attendance issues

  11. Negative Outcomes • 50-60% do not graduate from high school. • 25% of prison population were in foster youth. • 25% of youth who “age out” of foster care are homeless within 12-18 months. • 34% end up on welfare. • 20% of females give birth shortly after leaving care. - Connect for Kids

  12. “How would I have gotten help with school if my counselor hadn’t had seen my potential and helped me with each step of getting into college? “ -Melissa, 19, University of Florida, Foster youth Real Lives “If someone wouldn’t have cared so much about me going to school, I never would have had the motivation to start.” -Jeffrey, 20, Miami Dade College, Foster Youth

  13. Bringing the Pieces Together • Circle of support • Positive peer relationships • Caring adult supports who respect youth’s privacy • Permanency • Stable home • Stable school setting • Youth involvement • Clubs • Sports • Positive youth development • Responsibilities • Leadership building activities • Self-advocacy - National Foster Youth Advisory Council

  14. Building Rapport FRAGILE Compassion Availability Trust

  15. Where is the Time?

  16. Who Can Help? • Juvenile Court Contacts (i.e. You) • Teachers • Guardians or Foster Parents • Group home staff • Relatives • Case managers • Coaches • Mentors • Other school staff

  17. Local Resources • JJSO District Court Liaisons • Juvenile Court Contacts • Guardians Ad Litem (< 18 years old) • Take Stock in Children • Transitioning Youth Project (> 18 years old) • Mentoring Programs • Big Brothers / Big Sisters (< 16 years old) • Educate Tomorrow (> 15 years old)

  18. Why Are You Vital?

  19. Why Are You Vital? Show Video

  20. Educational Opportunities for Dependent Youth • State: Road To Independence Program • Tuition Waivers • Monthly Stipend • Transitional Independent Living Funds • Federal and National educational funding • Grants • Pell • Scholarships • Orphan Foundation • Florida Independent College Fund

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