Region VII ILP FTM Pilot: Resource Network Utilizing Family Team Meetings to Create Written Transitional Living Plans S

1. Region VII ILP FTM Pilot:Resource NetworkUtilizing Family Team Meetings to Create Written Transitional Living PlansSpring 2008

2. Discussion Points • ILP Snapshot • Community Partnerships/Support • Roles of "Resource Support Network“ • ILP FTM Structure & Considerations for Effective Youth Engagement • Q & A

4. Who is Eligible? • To be eligible you have to meet one of these conditions: • Age 14 to 21 in the foster care system regardless of their permanency plan • Under 21 and was eligible for IL services when DFCS placement authority ended • Between the ages 21 and 25 and enrolled in college, technical school or a training program.

5. Eligible Youth Over the Past 6 Years in Georgia 20 ILCs:7000 ILP Youth Ratio

6. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) Six Purposes • Help youth to make a transition to self – sufficiency • Help youth receive the education training and services necessary to obtain employment • Help youth prepare for and enter post secondary training andeducational institutions • Provide personal and emotional support to youth through mentors and the promotion of interactions with dedicated adults • Provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education, and other appropriate support and services to former foster care recipients between 18 and 21 years of age • Make available financial assistance for education and training, including post – secondary training and education to youth who have aged out of foster care

9. 5 ILP Outcome Areas • Education: Youth acquire sufficient education, training, and opportunities that provide them with choices to pursue post-secondary education. • Employment: Youth generate a sufficient income to support themselves by obtaining and retaining steady age-appropriate employment leading to a viable career path. • Housing: Youth have access to safe, stable, appropriate, affordable housing in the community that is near public transportation, work or school. • Health: Youth have sufficient and affordable health insurance for mental, physical and dental needs. • Supportive Relationships: Youth have in place supportive relationships that are able to assist them with accessing services in the community to help achieve their personal goals and support their efforts to contribute to civic life.

11. PartnerAgency“Buy-In” Goal #1: Increase Partner Agency Participation in Youth WTLP FTMs Goal #2: Get Partner Agencies to actually Facilitate Youth WTLP FTMs

12. FTM = Resource NetworkThis is a way to bring a youth’s entire Resource Network to the table, and is more than just DFCS staff

13. Promoting Partnership 1. At-risk teens served by any agency will be better served from developing a plan through the FTM process; This concept reaches far beyond the DFCS case load. (Goal 1 & 2) • Partner agencies must see how they directly benefit from this process (Goal 1 & 2) • Partner agencies need to know how they directly impact the youth (they need to have a role in serving the youth) (goal 1 & 2) • The benefits of conducting a FTM to create a WTLP reach beyond just developing a plan for DFCS; it’s a networking opportunity and a chance for everyone to make discoveries and connections (Goal 1 & 2) • It’s a chance for everyone to see exactly how they fit into the teen’s plan (goal 1 & 2) • Approach agencies with structure conducive to FTMs (Goal 2) • From the top: Educate planning boards about this process (ask to implement this into their agency’s service strategy/policy), educate judges about this process (Goal 2)

17. ILC: Independent Living Coordinator • Critical part of Resource Network for the teen • May assist in gathering more Resource Network options for participating in developing the WTLP • WTLP referral needs to go through ILC before reaching the FTM Coordinator

18. Graduation Coaches • Middle School & High Schools typically have Graduation Coaches • The Graduation Coach is a VITAL connection for any youth in school • Holding the Resource Network Meeting at the school may help promote the Graduation Coach’s involvement

19. Service Providers • If a referral has already been made to a service provider, they need to be invited • If another agency has a treatment plan or other planning requirement for this teen, creating the WTLP will help them strengthen their plan…they need to be invited • Consider a referral to WIA

20. Connected Adults • Adoption Coordinator is a partner in seeking connected adults: may devise strategy to dig through old records to locate possible relatives • Ask the teen: He/She already knows their connected adults (communicate this info with CM) • Very important to talk with the connected adults ahead of time to discuss options of signing a Permanency Pact…no surprises!

25. Considerations: ILP FTMs • What is the permanency goal of the child: Reunification w/ parents, Guardianship, Adoption, Live with fit & willing relative, Emancipation, Other Planned Permanent Living Arrangement? Are they aging out of foster care? • FTMs are especially vital for older youth and those who are transitioning out of foster care. • If reunification, permanent placement with relatives or guardianship is the primary or concurrent goal, the applicable caretakers identified in the goal must be invited to the FTM • Signatures on authorizations: Guardians, adoptive parents, participating birth parents

26. Considerations Continued • Will the child likely remain in foster care until adulthood or emancipation? If so, a “permanency pact” with a committed adult (as appropriate) should be considered • Recognize importance of the teen’s need for feeling like they have direct input and a sense of control in developing the plan • This is a chance to support the TEEN in a way he/she has never been supported before by DFCS. Many teens say they “hate” DFCS, and this is a real chance to help them see our agency in a different light • Timing of FTM affects participation and student performance: Plan around the TEEN’s schedule to avoid missing school; and schedule when school reps are available

28. Facilitator’s Pocket Guide(pilot variations) FTM Outcomes: • For WTLP: Creating a Written Transitional Living Plan for ILP Youth Confidentiality Note: • Youth should sign the authorization for release of information; If in attendance, birth parents should sign the authorization since some of the safety and risk factors might need to be discussed; Guardians or adoptive parents must sign release of information (for youth under 18 in after care or transitioning out of foster care)

29. Facilitator’s Pocket Guide(pilot variations) Family Story: • Do not ask: “How you got here today . . .” • Do ask: “Tell us a little bit about yourself and what your hopes are for the future…” Identification of Needs/Growth Areas: • Have the CM clarify for the group what the permanency plan is for the youth • Safety and Risk factors need to be addressed when reunification is the goal

30. Remember These Outcomes • Education: Youth acquire sufficient education, training, and opportunities that provide them with choices to pursue post-secondary education. • Employment: Youth generate a sufficient income to support themselves by obtaining and retaining steady age-appropriate employment leading to a viable career path. • Housing: Youth have access to safe, stable, appropriate, affordable housing in the community that is near public transportation, work or school. • Health: Youth have sufficient and affordable health insurance for mental, physical and dental needs. • Supportive Relationships: Youth have in place supportive relationships that are able to assist them with accessing services in the community to help achieve their personal goals and support their efforts to contribute to civic life.

31. 3 Critical Transition Components • Legal Information and Documents: Youth have the skills, information and assistance to access essential legal documents pertaining to their personal, family, medical, and educational histories. • Personal and Cultural Identity: Youth can demonstrate a healthy sense of ethnic or cultural identity, personal identity (including sexual orientation and gender identity) and spiritual identity. • Life Skills: Youth can demonstrate mastery of basic study skills, work skills, money management, social development, self care, and practical daily living skills.

32. Independent Living Program (ILP)Challenge Areas • Youth diagnosed with Severe Emotional & Behavioral Disorders • Parenting Youth • Medical coverage for youth over the age of 19

33. REMEMBER: • We do not have to wait for a final decision from the courts to start engaging the teen or doing the work to ensure that children will have a permanent home.