Iowa Youth Dream Team Planning Process

1. Iowa Youth Dream Team Planning Process THE NEED National studies show that four years after leaving care: • 25% of youth have been homeless • Only 46% have graduated from H.S. • 42 % have become parents • Fewer than 20% are self-supporting

2. CPPC 4 Strategies • Shared Decision-making • Individual Course of Action • Neighborhood Networking • Policy and Practice Change

3. Elevate • Elevate is a youth-driven program that inspires change, compassion and connection for foster and adoptive youth in Iowa. • Elevate:  Trains and empowers youth Provides leadership opportunities Encourages youth to develop their voice

4. Elevate Educates legislators, Foster Parents, the public, professionals & juvenile court about foster care from youth’s perspective      Develop partnerships that create opportunities Encourage others to open their homes to teens in foster care. Supports, encourages, and facilitates Iowa Youth Dream Teams

5. www.elevate2inspire.com Check out the website to find out more about elevate and how to become involved!

6. Iowa Youth Dream Teams Vision Statement: •  Youth and young adults who are “aging out” of the foster care system should have healthy and meaningful lifelong connections within their own community. It is through these connections that they will be better able to gain the knowledge, skills, and resources to support themselves and realize their goals for their lives

7. Principles Guiding IYDT • Having an Iowa Youth Dream Team is voluntary for the youth or young adult. • The Iowa Youth Dream Team gatherings are youth-focused and youth-driven. 3. Youth and young adults are respected. They should feel supported and empowered as a result of these gatherings.

8. 4. Everyone at the gathering is there with permission of the youth or young adult. 5. The gatherings are a time for honesty, peer and adult support, and a free exchange of ideas. No one should ever feel “ganged up” on or badgered by any one during this process. 6. The Iowa Youth Dream Team gatherings are confidential.

9. Five KEY Roles • Dreamer – the youth or young adult that as requested their own Iowa Youth Dream Team. • Peer Advocate – a youth or young adult who has experienced foster care and perhaps has aged out who has been trained in the IYDT process. • Facilitator – currently a person trained as an approved FTM facilitator AND IYDT facilitator. • Team –Members that the Dreamer invites. • Coach – A team member that coordinates the team’s efforts after the formal facilitation is finished.

10. 3 Main Components of the Process • Preparation Interview – the Dreamer, Peer Advocate, and Facilitator get together to learn more about each other, gathering information about the dreamer for the “All About Me” presentation, identify team members, and set up the first gathering.

11. First Gathering – the team comes together to spend time getting to know each other by answering the following questions: • Name and where you’re from geographically • What motivated you to come today? • What gifts and talents do you bring? • What do you like to do for fun?

12. Then the Dreamer presents the “All About Me” information in a format that emphasizes the dreamer’s skills, talents, preferences. • Paper Booklet • PowerPoint • Poem • Art work • Music, etc…

13. Next the team looks at What Makes Sense and Doesn’t Make Sense in the Dreamer’s life • What critical issues need to be addressed right now? • A place to live • Graduation • School or work • Relationships • Health Issues, etc…

14. The Team comes together around these critical issues and develops ACTION PLANS to support the dreamer in getting these needs met. • Specific action steps • Team members “assigned” to each step • Timelines are identified – completed by when? • How will we know when it’s done or we’re successful?

15. Finally, the first gathering ends with a review of the action plan and steps; identification of others that may need to be enrolled; recognition of the team and appreciation for everyone’s effort; plans for second gathering.

16. Second Gathering & Beyond…. • Welcome • Highs and Lows or New and Good • Review of action plan – success and continued need. • Begin the Dream PATH

17. Dream PATH • The Dreamer vocalizes his or her dream. • Sense the goal – where does the Dreamer want to start? • Look at the NOW and where the Dreamer wants to be in a year’s time. • Enroll – Who’s on board? Who else to invite? • Build on dreamer/Team strengths • Identify three to six month goals • First Steps

18. PATH is…. "Path is a way for diverse people, who share a common problem or situation to align...their purposes...their understanding of their situation and its possibilities for hopeful action...their action for change, mutual support, personal and team development and learning." Jack Pearpoint, John O`Brien and Marsha Forest

19. To find out more or ask for a training • Contact: Becky McCalley Child & Family Services Hoover State Office Building – 5th Floor Des Moines, IA 50319 515-281-5246 515-491-2909 – cell rmccall@dhs.state.ia.us