Youth with Disabilities in Foster Care Transitioning to Adulthood Joan Neuville March 26, 2013

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © How do children enter foster care? Who are the children in foster care? Who are the key players and what are their roles? What are the special circumstances/challenges of youth in foster care? What are strategies and available resources may be utilized to assist youth in transitioning from foster care. Overview

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © The child welfare system consists of a variety of services (foster care, adoption, child protective services) that are designed to promote the safety and well being of children. Federal government primary role is to provide funding for services. Each state is responsible for service provision and the services are administered by counties providers. Child Welfare System

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © CHILD SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT Professional/community member reports suspected abuse to CPS Insufficient evidence of abuse/neglect unfounded Report is screened in CPS investigates No or low risk of future abuse found Court petition may be filed Child has been seriously harmed or serious risk of future abuse found Risk minimized case closed Child stays with family services provided to child and family Case closed Referred for voluntary services Report is screened out may be referred elsewhere Evidence of abuse or neglect founded Reunification with family Custody to relativeTPR and adoption or permanent legal guardianship Emancipation (child turns 18 or 21 while in foster care) Child removed from home(foster care) services provided to child and family Process

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Who are the children in foster care? From AFCARS report JULY ,540 children in foster care 52% male,48% female 92,000 are 14 to 20 years old and of those 31,000 are 17 years old 47% live in a non relative foster home, 27% live in a relative foster home, 6% in a group home and 9% are in an institution In ,000 youth aged out of the foster care system with little or no family or economic support Estimated 30%-40% have disabilities (no centralized record keeping)

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Common reasons for children entering foster care Child neglect, abuse, sexual abuse Child abandonment Criminal domestic violence Parent incarceration Volunteer relinquishment of parental rights

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Foster Care Placements Standard foster care Therapeutic or specialized foster care Kinship care Respite care Group homes/congregate living

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Key people and their roles Child Welfare (Case workers in Child Protective Services, Foster Care and Adoptions) Family Court (judge, Attorneys and Guardian Ad Litem) School Personnel Caseworkers from disability service agencies (ARC, UCPA, ILS, VR, State Developmental Disability services) Medical Personnel

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Key people and their roles (cont.) Mental Health Foster Care Placement (Relative or Non relative foster family, group home staff, institution staff) Relatives Juvenile justice Volunteers

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Special circumstances/challenges Lack of reporting or under reporting of disability No centralized reporting data base of disability Implementation of services and funding differ from state to state Little coordination among service providers, schools, medical and mental health Loss of personal history and information due to multiple moves Behind in school due to multiple moves

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Special circumstances/ challenges (cont.) Victims of crime including child abuse and sexual abuse High incidence of emotional and mental health issues such as PTSD, Attachment and Conduct Disorder. No long term healthy adult relationships or support or traditional family support Difficulty bonding with adults Continued contact with birth parents/birth family after TPR High incidence of pregnancy

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Special circumstances/ challenges for youth who age out of foster care Only 54% of earn a high school diploma Approx. 20% attend college 2% earn Bachelors or higher. 25% struggle with homelessness 30% lack health insurance 51% unemployed 33% deal with drug and alcohol and mental health issue High incidence of involvement with juvenile and criminal justice

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Strategies/Resources Foster Care Independent Living Act 1999 (aka CFCIP) Assistance to help current & former foster youth achieve self sufficiency including programs designed to assist with education, employment, budgeting, emotional support. Most programs serve youth ages Educational Training Voucher Financial assistance up $5000/year to help pay for post secondary education and training

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Strategies/Resources (cont.) Public law (Fostering Connections) became law in Oct days prior to turning 18 the state elect a caseworker, 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; and include 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. (fosteringconnections.org)

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Strategies Utilize all the same strategies and best practices with this group of youth as you would with other populations Independent living, transition plans, IEP’s and employment plans should all be: Individually driven youth should be actively involved in the planning and should advocates such as adult friends, extended family, current and previous foster family members and or guardian ad litem involvement. Should include clear, concise goals

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Strategies (cont.) Independent living, transition plans, IEP’s and employment plans should all be: Should include exposure to a variety of environments that are of interest to the youth including job training, volunteer or hands on experiences. Exposure to post high school way of life and lifestyles including college campus visits, on campus living, etc. Most of all understand that foster care services encompass the whole person and you are the employment expert on the team. Be a willing advocate and train on best practices in employment. Help the team to understand the importance of utilizing current employment practices.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Strategies: be the link The most important difference between youth with disabilities aging out of foster care and other youth with disabilities is the lack of a stable home environment and loving nurturing adult/familial connections.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Strategies: Foster the connections Where to help foster these connections or reconnections: Older youth or adults who were in foster care and are now self sufficient. (contact Foster Club or foster care services for a list of mentors in your area) Extended family members and their friends. Family members or staff from previous foster placements School personnel (favorite teachers, guidance counselors, administrators) Places of worship Clubs, hobbies, special interest classes Remember every connection is also a possible job resource

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Strategies: Services and Key Players In addition to the current services available to youth with disabilities, those in foster care often are involved with a multitude of other resources. Often these resources have little or no connection or knowledge about the other.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Strategies: Services and Key Players Become familiar with the services and key players in the following areas in your community: Department of Social Services foster care programs particularly independent living and transition programs Mental health services (including substance abuse) Resources for teen pregnancy Juvenile justice system Public School System Crime victim resources Volunteer/mentor programs Make a “friend” in each of these area…someone you can got to with questions/concerns

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Transitional Plans to include: Strategies from fostering connections.org

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Resources National Crime Victims Center (PTSD), sexual abuse Mental Health Centers Medical Universities or Medical Centers Adoption And Safe Families Act of reauthorization of the IDEA Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 John H Chafee Foster Care Independence Program FosteringConnections.org

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Comments & Questions

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Contact Information Joan Neuville at:

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © THANK YOU! 25

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Education Credits CRCC Credit - (2.0 - pending) Pending approval by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) By April 10, 2013, participants must score 80% or better on a online Post Test and submit an online CRCC Request Form via the MyTACE Portal. My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Southeast TACE Region IV Toll-free: (866) [voice/tty] Fax: (404) Web: TACEsoutheast.org My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Disclaimer This presentation was developed by the Southeast TACE Center: Region IV ©2013 with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Projects (TACE) – Grant #H264A However, the contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of the RSA and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government [34 CFR (b)].