1. Insert names of Presenter(s)

2. Overview of this workshop Today we’ll cover:  The Fostering Connections Law and new Federal requirements for transition planning  The different categories youth need to plan for BEFORE they leave foster care  How to create a transition plan  The role Supportive Adults play  How the secret to locating resources

3. The Fostering Connections law  Most significant federal reforms in more than a decade  Bipartisan Congressional champions and broad stakeholder support  Youth voice / engagement

4. New Fostering Connections Requirements ‘‘during the 90-day period immediately prior to the date on which the child will attain 18 years of age, or such greater age as the State may elect … a caseworker on the staff of the State agency, and, as appropriate, other representatives of the child provide the child with assistance and support in developing a transition plan that is personalized at the direction of the child…

5. New Fostering Connections Requirements … includes specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, and work force supports and employment services, and is as detailed as the child may elect.”

6. Why Transition Planning? When compared with their peers, research shows young people aging out of care are, on average, are:  less likely to have a high school diploma  less likely to pursue higher education  more likely to have experienced economic hardships  less likely to be earning a living wage  more likely to have had a child without being married  more likely to become involved with the criminal justice system

7. What’s in your wallet? You are attending a trade school which offers dorm- style living, reserved only for it’s full-time students. You begin to suffer severe panic attacks. The attacks keep you up most of the night and you are having problems getting up for classes in the morning.

8. Additional Fact #1: You have received a letter from the school that informs you that, because of the number of classes you have missed, you may be expelled. If you are expelled, you will lose your spot in the dorms.

9. Additional Fact #2: The school does not have a Student Health Center, so a friend has suggested you try the Public Health department located five miles away in the downtown area (the friend said that they’ll only serve you if you can show ID).

10. Additional Fact #3: You’ve left foster care without any health insurance. You spoke with the nearby Medical Center, they will require an up-front payment of $85 to cover your initial office visit. He said to expect the medication for Panic Disorder to run about $120 per month.

11. Additional Fact #4: After giving it six months, you have decided that you don’t really like attending the school. You are thinking that perhaps school is not for you, after all.

12. Additional Fact #5: You have found out that the school will allow a medical leave of absence for up to three months. Unfortunately, you have no reliable bio-family that can help support you as you get better.

13. Additional Fact #6: Because you had not received your high school diploma, the trade school had you registered on a track that would allow you to work on earning your GED and trade school certificate at the same time. You are still one test short of obtaining your GED certificate.

14. Resources for youth in transition: Would it have been helpful to be able to choose more than two business cards for this youth?

18. Planning Worksheets Use these templates to create a comprehensive transition plan

19. Ideas to help prepare

20. Personal GPS: A Transition Team

21. QUICK-FIRE TRIVIA At what age do youth age-out or emancipate from foster care in our state?

22. QUICK-FIRE TRIVIA Is there any way to stay in foster care after this age?

23. QUICK-FIRE TRIVIA Suppose you leave foster care, but then run into challenges. Can you get back into foster care? How?

24. QUICK-FIRE TRIVIA How do you apply for money for higher education?

25. QUICK-FIRE TRIVIA Is there monetary assistance available for foster youth to get into their own apartment?

26. QUICK-FIRE TRIVIA How often are their court hearings where your foster care case is being discussed?

27. QUICK-FIRE TRIVIA Do youth have the right to attend these court hearings?

28. QUICK-FIRE TRIVIA Are youth aging out of foster care entitled to any sort of health insurance? For how long? How do you get it?

29. QUICK-FIRE TRIVIA What if a young person wants help with mental health, including PTSD or anxiety attacks? Is it covered?

30. A Community of Support