Sponsored by School Site Professional Development Workshop Prepared by Educational Needs of Dependent Youth

Dependency The Puzzle Comes Together

Learning Objectives Increased awareness of the foster care system Increased understanding of your role relative to youth in foster care Increased awareness of the foster care system Increased understanding of your role relative to youth in foster care

Dependency A generic term for children living in “out-of- home” care Youth living in foster homes, group homes, relative care, institutions, or with their birth families under supervision Overseen by the government; may be contracted out Youth usually have history of child abuse, neglect or abandonment Undocumented youth may also be in the dependency system A generic term for children living in “out-of- home” care Youth living in foster homes, group homes, relative care, institutions, or with their birth families under supervision Overseen by the government; may be contracted out Youth usually have history of child abuse, neglect or abandonment Undocumented youth may also be in the dependency system

Basic Facts about Foster Care Number of children 520,000 in the United States 30,000 in Florida 5000 in Miami-Dade County Average length of stay 3 years for all youth in foster care 6 years for youth who turn 18 while in care - Casey Family Programs Number of children 520,000 in the United States 30,000 in Florida 5000 in Miami-Dade County Average length of stay 3 years for all youth in foster care 6 years for youth who turn 18 while in care - Casey Family Programs

Abuse Report -> Child Taken into Custody Shelter Hearing Sounding Adjudicatory Hearing Case Planning Conference Child Returned To Parent Alternative Long- Term Placement Termination of Parental Rights Disposition Judicial Review

Endless Dreams

Primary Concern - United States Department of - United States Department of Health and Human Services Health and Human Services The educational needs of the nearly half million youth in foster care have largely gone unrecognized

Educational Challenges Enrollment in school Identification of youth Assessment of educational needs Delivery of services Monitoring of academic progress Collaboration among entities Enrollment in school Identification of youth Assessment of educational needs Delivery of services Monitoring of academic progress Collaboration among entities

Expressed Youth Needs Uncertainty of living arrangements Concerns about biological families Peer Relationships Adult Support Academic assistance Attendance issues Uncertainty of living arrangements Concerns about biological families Peer Relationships Adult Support Academic assistance Attendance issues

Negative Outcomes 50-60% do not graduate from high school. 25% of prison population were in foster youth. 25% of youth who “age out” of foster care are homeless within months. 34% end up on welfare. 20% of females give birth shortly after leaving care % do not graduate from high school. 25% of prison population were in foster youth. 25% of youth who “age out” of foster care are homeless within months. 34% end up on welfare. 20% of females give birth shortly after leaving care. - Connect for Kids

Real Lives “How would I have gotten help with school if my counselor hadn’t had seen my potential and helped me with each step of getting into college? “ -Melissa, 19, University of Florida, Foster youth “If someone wouldn’t have cared so much about me going to school, I never would have had the motivation to start.” -Jeffrey, 20, Miami Dade College, Foster Youth

Bringing the Pieces Together Circle of support Positive peer relationships Caring adult supports who respect youth’s privacy Permanency Stable home Stable school setting Youth involvement Clubs Sports Positive youth development Responsibilities Leadership building activities Self-advocacy Circle of support Positive peer relationships Caring adult supports who respect youth’s privacy Permanency Stable home Stable school setting Youth involvement Clubs Sports Positive youth development Responsibilities Leadership building activities Self-advocacy - National Foster Youth Advisory Council

Building Rapport Compassion Trust FRAGILE Availability

Where is the Time?

Who Can Help? Juvenile Court Contacts (i.e. You) Teachers Guardians or Foster Parents Group home staff Relatives Case managers Coaches Mentors Other school staff Juvenile Court Contacts (i.e. You) Teachers Guardians or Foster Parents Group home staff Relatives Case managers Coaches Mentors Other school staff

Local Resources JJSO District Court Liaisons Juvenile Court Contacts Guardians Ad Litem (< 18 years old) Take Stock in Children Transitioning Youth Project (> 18 years old) Mentoring Programs Big Brothers / Big Sisters (< 16 years old) Educate Tomorrow (> 15 years old) JJSO District Court Liaisons Juvenile Court Contacts Guardians Ad Litem (< 18 years old) Take Stock in Children Transitioning Youth Project (> 18 years old) Mentoring Programs Big Brothers / Big Sisters (< 16 years old) Educate Tomorrow (> 15 years old)

Why Are You Vital? The Story of Melissa Fan Fan

Educational Opportunities for Dependent Youth Federal and National educational funding Grants Pell Scholarships Orphan Foundation Florida Independent College Fund Federal and National educational funding Grants Pell Scholarships Orphan Foundation Florida Independent College Fund State: Road To Independence Program Tuition Waivers Monthly Stipend Transitional Independent Living Funds State: Road To Independence Program Tuition Waivers Monthly Stipend Transitional Independent Living Funds

Famous Foster Children Alonzo Mourning / NBA Cher / Singer & Actress Daunte Culpepper / NFL Eddie Murphy / Actor & Comedienne Ice-T / Singer & Actor Marilyn Monroe / Actress Tommy Davidson / Actor & Comedienne Victoria Rowell / Dancer & Model Alonzo Mourning / NBA Cher / Singer & Actress Daunte Culpepper / NFL Eddie Murphy / Actor & Comedienne Ice-T / Singer & Actor Marilyn Monroe / Actress Tommy Davidson / Actor & Comedienne Victoria Rowell / Dancer & Model