78

Subgroups of Youth Transitioning to Adulthood from Foster Care

• Based on longitudinal study in three states in the Midwest led by Mark Courtney

• Suggested four subgroups with distinctive characteristics

• Youth can and do move among the subgroups

79

Accelerated Adults• 36% of total group• 2/3 of group is female• Most likely to live on

own in stable situation• Almost all have high

school diploma• Most likely to be

employed• Over half have

attended some college

Accelerated Adults

• Low rate of criminal conviction

• Nearly ½ have resident children

• Most likely to have completed key transitions

• “Grow up” faster & “take on adult responsibilities”

80

Struggling Parents• 25% of total group• Nearly ¾ female• More likely to be African

American• Most have resident

children• Most likely to be married

or cohabiting• Equally likely to live on

own, or with relatives, friends or others

81

Struggling Parents• Least likely to have finished

high school or attend college

• Least likely to be currently enrolled

• 25% unemployed• Lowest rate of employment• Low rate of criminal

conviction• Low level of social support

82

Emerging Adults• 20% of total group• Slightly over 50% male• All living with friends,

relatives or in settings not their own

• Majority have finished high school

• Second highest rate of having some college

• Second highest rate of current employment

83

Emerging Adults

• Least likely to have children• Those that have children, 2/3

are nonresident• Least likely to have been

married• Least likely to have been

homeless or couch surfed• Some delayed adult markers

but have avoided hardship

84

Troubled and Troubling

• 20% of total group• Vast majority are male• Most likely to be

currently incarcerated, otherwise institutionalized, homeless and/or experienced high residential mobility

85

Troubled and Troubling

• 2/5 have not finished high school

• 1/10 have some college• Least likely to be

employed• Nearly half have children

but do not live with them• Over 4/5 have a criminal

conviction since age 18

86

Troubled and Troubling

• Least likely to be prepared to be on their own at exit from care

• Most likely to report mental health and/or substance abuse problems

• Most likely to have been homeless or couch surfed

• Lowest level of social support

87

Building New Relationships

• Identify youth’s perspective on need for new relationships

• With adults

• With peers

88

Rebuilding Old Relationships

• Youth has decision making

• Safety issues• Balanced

perceptions• Assistance with

contacts• Debrief experiences

89

For All Relationships

• Issues of trust• Issues of

accountability• Issues of

dependability• Positive contribution

–To youth’s life–Youth to lives of

others90

Meeting the Needs of Non-Minor Dependents

• Exploring the practice implications for working with non minor dependents

• Three opportunities for deep conversations

• Spend 20 minutes talking, doodling, writing down phrases, ideas, thoughts, inspirations

91

Harvesting Wisdom• Each table needs a

volunteer host• Briefly recap prior

conversations for next group

• Summarize ideas for presentation to larger group

• All participants should chime in

92

93

Placement Considerations• NMD youth are adults• Placements should be

least restrictive• Encourage independence• Developmental needs and

readiness for independence

• Decisions are made in conversation with the youth

94

Living Options

• Relative or NREFM placement

• Foster care including foster family agency placement and intensive therapeutic foster care

• Continued group care if indicated by medical necessity (includes mental health needs)

• Small Family Home• Whole Family Foster

Home

95

Living Options

• THPP• THP + FC• SILP (Supervised

Independent Living Placement)– College dorm– Rented room– Shared apartment or

living arrangement

96

Assessment for SILP

• Readiness assessment must be completed–State approved

assessment already in use for TILP may be used (Ansell Casey Life Skills or Daniel Memorial)

• Assess knowledge of financial skills/developmentally ready for daily living

97

Assessment for SILP• Assess readiness

generously• Denial of SILP can be

made for reasons such as– Rent and utilities

exceeds income– Unstable income– No knowledge of money– Unable to care for self

98

Shared Living Agreements

• In any shared living arrangement (foster care, NREFM, SILP that includes shared living arrangement)

• Spells out concrete details

• In the event of disagreements

99

Maltreatment of Non-minor Dependents

• Maltreatment of a NMD by a licensed caregiver is reportable by a placement agency

• Responsibility for intake and evaluation of risk is extended to NMD

• Requirement for cross reporting is extended to NMD

100

At Transitional Planning• If youth is listed as victim on

Child Abuse Central Index report

• At age 18, youth may request removal of information from Child Abuse Central Index

• Make written request to Department of Justice

• Must be notarized and include name, address, SSN and DOB

101

Case Plans

• Case plans shall have a goal of Permanent Placement with Planned Permanent Living Arrangement

• Routinely updated per current regulations

• Be youth driven, team-based

102

Case Plans for Group Home Placement

• Must address:– Group home as best placement

to meet needs– Transition to independent living– Treatment strategies that lead

to less restrictive setting– Target date for discharge from

group home– Periodic review

103

Case Plans for SILP

• Placement in a SILP must be specified in case plan

• Appropriate for developmental needs

104

Benefits of Youth Leadership• Engagement increases

when there is a feeling of choice

• People who choose what they do are more excited, interested, & confident

• When youth choose activities, they have more positive mood, higher well-being, & perform better

• Contributes to growing self-efficacy

• Greater optimism, hope & persistence

• Better mental health, coping and less depression

• Adopt healthy habits and maintain behavior change

105