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Creating Lasting Family Connections

Today's Agenda . IntroductionsDigital Story Overview of Family Search

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Creating Lasting Family Connections

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    1. Creating Lasting Family Connections Childrens Network Conference September 2010 Armando Ontiveros, M.A. Regional Executive Director Joel Martinez, B.A., Family Finding Specialist Linda Librizzi, LCSW Hollygrove Family Finding Program EMQ Families First

    2. Todays Agenda Introductions Digital Story Overview of Family Search & Engagement Connectedness exercise individual exercise Interactive group exercise Share findings; Q & A

    3. Digital Story Former foster youth Who is important in his life What opportunities were missed? Who might he want to re-connect with today? Cultural issues to be considered? Unanswered questions? Grief and loss issues

    4. What is Permanency? Permanency is an enduring family relationship that: Is safe and lasts a lifetime Offers the legal rights and social status of full family membership Provides for physical and emotional well-being Assures lifelong connections to extended family, siblings, other significant adults, family history and traditions, race and ethnic heritage, culture, religion and language

    5. Aging Out Without Permanency 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year: One in five will be homeless 40 percent of homeless ages 18 to 20 were in the foster care system as youth One in three wont have high school diploma or GED One in three will struggle with mental health or substance abuse issues One in four will be incarcerated Fewer than half will find a job Young women in foster care are six times more likely to give birth before age 21 than the general population Sources: Home at Last, an advocacy partnership between the Childrens Law Center of Los Angeles and Occidental College; Margot Kushel, M.D., University of California, San Francisco.

    6. What does permanency mean to foster youth ? Types of Permanency Relationship Permanency True emotional connection - most important type identified by foster youth Physical permanency safe, stable, living environment cannot be removed Legal permanency combination of the first two (adoption & legal guardianship)

    7. Who Can Benefit? Long-waiting youth Older adolescents without a viable permanency plan Unstable youth Youth at risk of aging out without connections

    8. Family Search & Engagement: Goals Identify family members who can offer: Lifelong connection for youth Ongoing, meaningful presence in the youths life May offer a permanent place to live Identify fictive kin, i.e. non-related extended family, godparents, play relatives, teachers, staff

    9. Information medical, cultural, family stories, skills, talents, photos, etc. Connections emotional, spiritual, legal/financial, physical (phone calls, visits) Placement relative placement or possibility to exit system Natural supports team members become part of CFT Safety -- throughout search & engagement process & transition from formal to informal services & supports Family Search & Engagement Can Provide

    10. Pieces of the Puzzle Identity Formation

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