Think about a 17 year old… …you have worked with, or …family member or friend, or

“Families are the foundation of our community, and their well-being is inextricably linked to the health and prosperity of the community, state, and nation. EPIC works to

strengthen ‘ohana and enhance the welfare of children and youth through transformative processes that are respectful, collaborative, and solution-oriented.”

EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc. - Revised: 12/05/12

Think about a 17 year old……you have worked with, or…family member or friend, or…yourself when you were that age.

What were they doing?

What were they planning for?

Who was there to support the 17 year old?

How involved were they in helping that young person plan for the future?

“Families are the foundation of our community, and their well-being is inextricably linked to the health and prosperity of the community, state, and nation. EPIC works to

strengthen ‘ohana and enhance the welfare of children and youth through transformative processes that are respectful, collaborative, and solution-oriented.”

EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc. - Revised: 12/05/12

‘Ohana Conferencing (1996)

E Makua Ana Youth Circle (2004)

Family Finding (2007)

‘Ohana Connections (2007)

Project First Care (2009)

Hawai‘i Youth Opportunities Initiative (2009)

Family Connections Grant CWS/EPIC (2009-2012)

WRAP Services (2012)

Men’s Circles (2013)

EPIC’s Programs

EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc. - Revised: 12/05/12

EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc. - Revised: 12/05/12

Who Is Eligible?Youth ages 14-17 currently in foster care, legal guardianship or adoption

A young adult up through age 26 who turned 18 in foster care, legal guardianship or adoption• Eligible for DHS Higher Education board

payments

EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc. - Revised: 12/05/12

Youth Driven Means

Youth decides if they want a Youth Circle

Youth decides who attends

Youth decides how to open the circle

Youth decides what are their goals

Youth decides what they eat at the circle

Youth decides their planEPIC ‘Ohana, Inc. - Revised: 12/05/12

First Visit

Revised12/17/10

Meet the youth face to face

Get to know the youth

Discuss the details and what to expect

Revised12/17/10

Gernani’s Youth Circle Supporters10/30/06Laura – Social WorkerTerrance – GALElaine – Ed. AdvocateElizabeth – ProviderJon – ProviderAlyssa – DOELorie – Group HomeJuliana – Group HomeMyrna – Mom

05/03/07Laura – Social WorkerTerrance – GALElaine – Ed. AdvocateJon – ProviderJohn – ProviderLorie – Group HomeBenita – Foster MomMyrna – Mom

08/12/08Kathy – Foster Mom

07/20/09Kathy – Foster Mom

08/27/10Kathy – Foster MomTeresa – Provider

05/21/12Kathy – Foster MomMalia – FriendDelia – SupporterGerald – BrotherGernani, Sr. – FatherAdrian – FriendIdea – FriendNoy - Friend

03/22/13Kathy – Foster MomMalia – FriendDelia – SupporterGerald – BrotherGernani, Sr. – FatherGio - FriendAdrian – FriendNoy – FriendJudith - Supporter

05/24/13Kathy – Foster MomMalia – FriendDelia – SupporterGerald – BrotherNoy - FriendJudith - Supporter

First Visit

Meet youth face to face

Explain Youth Circles

Gather information

Begin planning

Coordination

Case information gathered Calls are made to SW Calls to participants

YC scheduled

Referral

Anyone can refer

Auto-referrals

Follow up with youth

See how youth is doing

Determine if a Re-Circle is needed or check again in the future

Youth Circle

EPIC & CWS Youth Circle Process

Transition Plan

Outlines youth’s plans

Identifies supporters

Provides list of resources

Sent to all participants

Foster Care in Hawai‘i

Population: 1.392 million (2012)Over 1,000 young people in foster careOver 200 are between ages 14 - 17Less than 100 age out every yearOver 4,000 in Adoption / Legal Guardianship

275-300 Youth Circles per year

Challenges

Every youth is different

Special circumstances

Working with youth

Working with adults

Resources

Efforts Outreach

Goal Setting Youth Circles

Imua Kākou

Beyond foster care

• WRAP services

• Ho‘opono Mamo

Questions?

Website: epicohana.org

Phone: 808-838-7752

Toll free: 1-866-636-1644

Fax: 808-838-1653

Email: EPIC@epicohana.org

Mail: 1130 N. Nimitz HwySuite C-210

Honolulu, Hawai`i 96817

EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc. - Revised: 12/05/12