Services Young People Transitioning from Foster Care …€¦ · Young People Transitioning from Foster Care Instructions and Overview The focus of this survey is on services and

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Survey on Services and Supports for Young People Transitioning from Foster Care

Instructions and Overview

The focus of this survey is on services and supports provided by states to young people ages 18 and up who are transitioning from foster care to adulthood (who, for the purposes of the survey, we are calling “transition‐age youth”). The survey is organized into eight sections:

Section I. Background Information Section II. Post‐Secondary Education Section III. Employment and Career Development Section IV. Financial Capability Section V. Securing Safe, Stable, and Affordable Housing Section VI. Accessing and Managing Health and Mental Health Care Section VII. Establishing Permanent Relationships with Supportive Adults Section VIII. Additional Information about Supporting Young People

We understand that some states permit young people to remain in foster care past the age of 18, while other states do not. Because we are interested in learning about the types of supports provided to young people whether or not they are still in foster care, we will ask you to consider three separate groups when responding to the questions:

1: Young people aged 18 and older who are in foster care 2: Young people aged 18‐21 who are no longer in foster care (because they “aged out” of foster care or

because they “opted out” of extended foster care) 3: Young people aged 21 and older

When you respond to questions asking you to indicate whether certain types of services or supports are provided to older youth transitioning from foster care, you will then be asked which of the three groups this applies to. In each case, you should select all that apply. Questions? Please do not hesitate to contact Garet Fryar at [email protected] or 240‐223‐9258 with any questions about the survey or if you need assistance with particular items. ¦t5!¢9Υ ¸ƻǳ Ƴǳǎǘ ǎŀǾŜ ǘƘŜ t5C ǘƻ ȅƻǳǊ ŎƻƳǇǳǘŜǊ ōŜŦƻǊŜ ŦƛƭƭƛƴƎ ƛƴ ȅƻǳǊ ŀƴǎǿŜǊǎΦ hǘƘŜǊǿƛǎŜΣ ǘƘŜ ŀƴǎǿŜǊǎ ǿƛƭƭ ƴƻǘ ǎŀǾŜΦ

‐‐Thank you for your participation!‐‐

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Section I: Background Information

#1. What is the maximum age that a young person can be in, and still remain under, the care and supervision of your state’s child welfare agency under any circumstance?

18 years old 19 years old 20 years old 21 years old 22 years old or older

#2. At what age do youth who emancipate or “age out” typically exit foster care in your state? By “typically” we mean in the absence of special or exceptional circumstances (e.g., a disability, completing high school) that might allow youth to remain in care longer?

18 years old 19 years old 20 years old 21 years old 22 years old or older

Please use the space below to provide additional information about the foster care age limit in your state.

#3. What would you say is the primary area in which your state is doing well in supporting young people transitioning from foster care? In other words, what comes to mind as an area of strength in terms of the services or supports your state provides to this population?

#4. What would you say is the primary area in which your state could do better in terms of supporting young people transitioning from foster care? In other words, what comes to mind as an area in need of improvement, or an area in which your state is actively working to improve, in terms of the services or supports your state provides to this population?

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Section II: Post‐Secondary Education #5. Please complete the following table regarding services or supports that your state may be providing to transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care to promote access to and/or successful completion of post‐secondary education.

Instructions: Services and supports are listed in the left hand column. Please select the box in column #5a if the particular service or support is not provided to transition-age youth in your state. If the service or support is provided, please complete #5b and #5c.

For #5b, indicate to which group of young people this service/support is provided by checking off the appropriate column(s). Select all columns that apply.

For #5c, please indicate whether the particular service/support is available statewide or only in certain areas of the state (e.g., only in some counties or localities) by checking off the appropriate column. Select only one column.

5a. 5b. Provided to young people who are: [select all that apply]

5c. Availability in the state: [select one]

Service or support not provided to this population in my state

18 and older who are in foster care

18‐21 who are no longer in foster care (due to “aging out” or “opting out” of extended foster care)

21 and older

Statewide Only in certain areas of the state

Tuition/fee waivers at in‐state public colleges or universities

Priority for state‐funded scholarships to post‐secondary education settings

Exploration of post‐secondary educational opportunities (e.g., college immersion programs, college workshops, campus tours)

Educational advocates/liaisons assigned to young people enrolled in post‐secondary educational programs

Assistance with accessing vocational training or other alternatives to traditional post‐ secondary educational programs

#6. Is your state currently using/implementing any evidence‐based, evidence‐informed, “promising” or “emerging” programs or practices to promote access to and successful completion of post‐secondary education for transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care?

Note: Please see the graphic on the last page of this survey for definitions of each term listed above. For a more detailed description of these terms, please visit the following link: (https://www.jfs.ohio.gov/OCTF/Evidence_Based_Evidence_Informed_Promising_Practice_and_Emer.pdf)

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Yes No Don’t know

o IF YES: Can you briefly describe or provide a link to additional information?

#7. Please use the space below for any other information you would like to provide regarding services/ supports in your state related to post‐secondary education for transition‐age youth.

Section III: Employment and Career Development

#8. Please complete the following table regarding services or supports that your state may be providing to transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care to promote preparation for and access to employment and career development.



For #8c, please indicate whether the particular service/support is available statewide, or only in certain areas of the state (e.g., only in some counties or localities) by checking off the appropriate column. Select only one column.

8a. 8b. Provided to young people who are: ώǎŜƭŜŎǘ ŀƭƭ ǘƘŀǘ ŀǇǇƭȅϐ

8c. Availability in the state: ώǎŜƭŜŎǘ ƻƴŜϐ




21 and older


Information about career options and opportunities

Career counseling/coaching

Job readiness training (e.g., resume writing, filling out job applications, interviewing for jobs)

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Job placement assistance (including securing internships or apprenticeships)

Mentorship from professionals in desired field or from an organization of interest

#9. Is your state currently using/implementing any evidence‐based, evidence‐informed, “promising” or “emerging” programs or practices to promote employment and career development for transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care?

Yes No Don’t know


#10. Please use the space below for any other information you would like to provide regarding services/ supports in your state related to employment and career development for transition‐age youth.

Section IV: Financial Capability #11. Please complete the following table regarding services or supports that your state may be providing to transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care to promote financial capability.



For #11c, please indicate whether the particular service/support is available statewide, or only in certain areas of the state (e.g., only in some counties or localities) by checking off the appropriate column. Select only one column.

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21 and older Statewide Only in certain areas of the state

Money management/financial literacy training

Budget counseling

Assistance opening bank accounts

Credit reports and identity theft protection

Matched savings for asset purchases, through Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) or other means

#12. Is your state currently using/implementing any evidence‐based, evidence‐informed, “promising” or “emerging” programs or practices to promote financial capability for transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care?

Yes No Don’t know


#13. Please use the space below for any other information you would like to provide regarding services/ supports related to financial capability for transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care.

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Section V: Securing Safe, Stable, and Affordable Housing #14. Please complete the following table regarding services or supports that your state may be providing to transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care to promote access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.


For #14b, indicate to which group of young people this service/support is provided by checking off theappropriate column(s). Select all columns that apply.

For #14c, please indicate whether the particular service/support is available statewide, or only incertain areas of the state (e.g., only in some counties or localities) by checking off the appropriate column. Select only one column.







Assistance finding safe, stable, and affordable housing

Assistance with first month’s rent and/or security deposit

Ongoing rental assistance

Assistance with housing‐related “start‐up” costs (e.g., furnishing, housewares)

Priority access to rental assistance (e.g., through FUP vouchers, Housing Choice/Section 8 vouchers, public housing)

Contracts with housing developers to guarantee certain percentage of clients are young people who were or are in foster care

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Housing facilities specifically for young people transitioning from foster care

#15. Is your state currently using/implementing any evidence‐based, evidence‐informed, “promising” or “emerging” programs or practices to promote access to safe, stable, and affordable housing for transition‐ age youth who are or were in foster care?

Yes No Don’t know

o IF YES: Can you describe or provide a link to additional information?

#16. Please use the space below for any other information you would like to provide regarding services/ supports in your state related to access to safe, stable, and affordable housing for transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care.

Section VI: Accessing and Managing Health and Mental Health Care #17. Please complete the following table regarding services or supports that your state may be providing to help transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care manage their health and mental health care.

Instructions: Services and supports are listed in the left hand column. Please select the box in column #17a if the particular service or support is not provided to transition-age youth in your state. If the service or support is provided, please complete #17b and #17c. For #17b, indicate to which group of young people this service/support is provided by checking off the

appropriate column(s). Select all columns that apply. For #17c, please indicate whether the particular service/support is available statewide or only in

certain areas of the state (e.g., only in some counties or localities) by checking off the appropriate column. Select only one column.







Assistance enrolling/re‐ enrolling in Medicaid or other health insurance programs

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Educating youth about how to access and manage (physical) health care

Educating youth about how to access and manage mental health care

Information about health insurance via materials or communications from child welfare agency staff after youth leave foster care

Educating youth about their own medical histories and records

Transferring complete medical records to youth

#18. Is your state currently using/implementing any evidence‐based, evidence‐informed, “promising” or “emerging” programs or practices to promote access to and management of (physical) health care for transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care?

Yes No Don’t know

o IF YES: Can you describe or provide a link to additional information?

#19. Is your state currently using/implementing any evidence‐based, evidence‐informed, “promising” or “emerging” programs or practices to promote access to and management of mental health care for transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care?

Yes No Don’t know


#20. Please use the space below for any other information you would like to provide regarding services/ supports in your state related to health/mental health care for transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care.

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Section VII: Establishing Permanent Relationships with Supportive Adults

#21. Please complete the following table regarding services or supports that your state may be providing to help transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care establish permanent relationships with supportive adults.



For #21c, please indicate whether the particular service/support is available statewide, or only incertain areas of the state (e.g., only in some counties or localities) by checking off the appropriate column. Select only one column.






21 and older


Specific initiative or program aimed at securing legal permanency for older youth (including those 18 or older)

Specific initiative or program aimed at finding family/kin for older youth (including those 18 and older), and facilitating these connections (when appropriate)

Exploring and supporting youth’s connections to birth family, when appropriate (e.g., providing older youth with information and skills to establish safe, adult, nondependent relationships with family, or considering restoring parental rights after they have been terminated)

Court involvement or other formal oversight to ensure child (cont.)

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welfare agencies make reasonable efforts to help transition‐age youth establish permanent connections with supportive adults

Involving individuals identified by youth as important to them (e.g., mentors, relatives, coaches) in key decisions (e.g., through team decision‐making)

#22. Is your state currently using/implementing any evidence‐based, evidence‐informed, “promising” or “emerging” programs or practices to promote the establishment of permanent relationships with supportive adults for transition‐age youth who are or were in foster care?

Yes No Don’t know

IF YES: Can you briefly describe or provide a link to additional information?

#23. Please use the space below for any other information you would like to provide regarding services/ supports in your state related to permanent relationships with supportive adults for transition‐age youth o are or were in who are or were in foster care.

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...Section VIII: Additional Information about Supporting Young People YOUTH ENGAGEMENT #24. Does your state use any materials designed with youth input and/or approval to provide information to transition‐age youth about any of the topics addressed above?

Yes No Don’t know

IF YES: In which specific areas is the state using materials designed with youth input and/or approval? (Please select all that apply)

Post‐secondary education Employment and career development

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Financial capability Securing safe, stable, and affordable housing Accessing and managing health and mental health care Establishing permanent relationships with supportive adults

Could you provide any links to examples of the materials, or share materials with us via email?

#25. Are (or were) young people who are or were in foster care engaged in the development or design of any of the services/supports listed above? Examples could include participation of youth in committees or advisory boards, in legislative and/or advocacy efforts in the state, etc.

Yes No Don’t know

IF YES: In which specific areas have young people been involved in developing or designing the services/supports? (Please select all that apply)

Post‐secondary education Employment and career development Financial capability Securing safe, stable, and affordable housing Accessing and managing health and mental health care Establishing permanent relationships with supportive adults

Could you provide a brief description of how young people were engaged in this process?

SPECIAL POPULATIONS #26. Does your state provide any specific services or supports for transition‐age youth in the following special populations (i.e., the service or support is specifically designed for young people in this population)? (Please select all that apply)

Pregnant and parenting youth Youth identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning/Queer (LGBTQ) Dually‐involved/"cross‐over" youth (i.e., child welfare & juvenile justice/adult justice systems) Youth with disabilities Other (please specify):

IF YES: Could you provide a brief description of the services or supports specifically designed for the young people in the special populations you selected?

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STAFF AND OTHERS WORKING WITH TRANSITION‐AGE YOUTH #27. Do child welfare agency staff or other professionals (e.g., caseworkers, judges, attorneys) involved with transition-age youth in your state receive any specialized training on developmentally-appropriate practices for this population?

Yes No Don’t know

IF YES: Can you briefly describe the specialized trainings provided (e.g., who receives the trainings, the primary focus or goals)?

#28. Do foster parents who care for transition‐age youth in your state receive any specialized training on developmentally‐appropriate care for this population?

Yes No Don’t know

IF YES: Can you briefly describe the specialized trainings provided? (e.g., who receives the trainings, the primary focus or goals)?

TRANSITION PLANNING and POST‐TRANSITION COMMUNICATION #29: According to policies in your state, who is required to participate (or required to be invited to participate) in the development of a transition plan? (Please select all that apply)

Youth themselves Foster care caseworkers Foster care supervisors Child welfare agency’s Independent Living Coordinator A “Transition Planning Specialist” (or similarly titled individual) Other child welfare agency workers assigned to the child, such as an adoption worker Guardians Ad Litem/Attorneys CASA Workers Foster parents or group home staff/counselors Biological relatives or fictive kin Teachers or mentors Educational Advocates Health care workers/providers/therapists Any individual youth requests to be invited Other (please specify):

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#30: Which of the following topics are required to be included in typical transition plans? (Please select all that apply) Post‐secondary education Employment and career development Financial capability Securing safe, stable, and affordable housing Accessing and managing health and mental health care Establishing permanent relationships with supportive adults Other (please specify):

#31. Does someone review or evaluate the quality of transition plans? Yes No Don’t know

IF YES: Can you briefly describe who does this and how the plans are reviewed/evaluated?

#32. In your state, does communication typically take place between the child welfare agency (or a contracted entity) and former foster youth once they have exited care?

Yes No Don’t know IF YES:

o How often does communication between the child welfare agency (or a contracted agency) and young people who were previously in foster care take place? (Please select all that apply)

Once a year or less About twice a year About quarterly More than quarterly, but less than monthly About monthly Multiple times per month or more often

o Does the child welfare agency (or a contracted entity) use social media or other technology

to connect with older youth? Yes No Don’t know

IF YES: o Which of the following media does the child welfare agency use to communicate with young

people who were formerly in foster care? (Please select all that apply)Email Text messaging Social media, including FacebookTM, LinkedInTM, TwitterTM, or others Video conferencing, such as SkypeTM Other (please specify):

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#33. Does the child welfare agency routinely track or collect data from former foster youth in the state outside of the National Youth in Transition Database requirements (e.g., to assess or monitor their well‐ being, determine service needs)?

Yes No Don't know

IF YES: Can you briefly describe this process?

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References

The graphic below illustrates the definition of evidence based practice (EBP) and evidence informed practice (EIP) that we are using for this survey. The image is provided by the National Center for Community‐Based Child Abuse Prevention. More information can be found at http://friendsnrc.org/cbcap‐priority‐areas/evidence‐base‐practice‐in‐cbcap.

Documents

Services Young People Transitioning from Foster Care …€¦ · Young People Transitioning from Foster Care Instructions and Overview The focus of this survey is on services and