Let’s Get Personal!Personal Perspective from a Former

Foster Youth

Crystal L. WilliamsFounding Member, EmpowerMEnt

Author Youth Advocate Public Speaker

Business Owner

MY STORY Memphis to Atlanta age 9 Shelter to shelter Never attended the same school Entered foster care at 10 Disconnected from:

Extended family Support Siblings Mother School Community

MY STORY: RECONNECTED Supportive home Encouraged to participate

in activities (School, church)

Excelled in school (Graduated from HS, college)

Located areas on interest Reconnecting with

biological family: STILL IN PROGRESS!

Maintaining connection with Adoptive family

ADULT ADOPTION: ITS POSSIBLE!

Disconnected YouthThe foster care/adoption experience can make it difficult for young people to

trust and to connect after a traumatic event occurs.

Youth may experience:• Physical aggression to adults• Sexual acting out• Eating disorders• Conduct disorders• Hyperactivity• Withdrawal

FAMILY

PEERSCOMMUNITY

SCHOOL

SOCIAL CAPITAL“Social capital is comprised of social networks and social relationships, a bonding between similar and a bridging between diverse people.*

*Adler & Kwon, 2002; Dekker & Uslaner, 2001; Uslaner, 2001

DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SUPPORTS AND

SERVICES Graduated Independence Mentors, Communications to build social

capital Strategic investment in a young person’s

future Young people as drivers Challenging a young person to reach

goals (WTLP)

GRADUATED INDEPENDENCE Providing youth the tools and resources to

live inter-dependently Connected by 21 (CB21) must look

different How to connect to community (bridging

and bonding) PROGRAMS ARE NOT ENOUGH!

RECOMMENDATIONS

Youth are empowered to complete college/trade/employment

New measures are put into place to ensure that ALL YOUTH have access to developmentally appropriate housing that is safe, sustainable, and stable

Youth obtain Employment and Job seeking skills that are dynamic and transferable

Educational goals are assessed on a case by case basis Emphasis on social/emotional healing to promote

network building and community connections Transitional resources for all youth regardless if they

choose to go to school or enter the workforce directly

QUESTIONS?

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