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 The Fostering Connections Act: Building Supportive Pathways for Older Youth
The Fostering Connections Act includes several provisions that provide opportunities for states to build supportive pathways for older youth in and transitioning out of care. This webcast highlighted two states, Connecticut and Massachusetts, that have developed a strategic approach to implementing the Fostering Connections Act to support youth.
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Overview Numerous state systems-mental health, special education, child welfare, health care, juvenile courts-provide support and assistance to millions of vulnerable adolescents. Though many youth are involved in multiple systems, the services they receive are often fragmented and uncoordinated. Furthermore, as adolescents enter adulthood, their involvement in these systems either phases out or abruptly ends, leaving many youth without critical supports. To ensure that youth have the opportunities that will enable them to become healthy, productive adults, states are implementing policies and programs to better prepare youth for independence, and developing better transitions between and out of systems. Focus of Center Activities Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care
State child welfare agencies and the courts are responsible for the safety and well-being of over a half million children in foster care. While many eventually return to their biological families or find another permanent home through adoption or guardianship, there are almost 20,000 foster youth who are emancipated from the child welfare system every year. Youth who age out of foster care are more likely than other youth to fall behind in their education, experience homelessness, suffer from post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues, become a teenage parent, and end up in the criminal justice system. Because this population is relatively small and easily identifiable, states can make a difference through concentrated, yet cost-effective measures. NGA has a number of efforts underway to help states identify and implement policies to improve the opportunities, supports and outcomes for youth transitioning out of foster care. Policy Academy on Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care
Since early 2006, NGA has been working with teams from six states (California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and South Carolina) to improve outcomes for youth transitioning out of foster care. Institute on Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care
On October 27-28, 2005, the Center hosted an Institute on Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care. The Institute focused on how multiple systems-child welfare, health and mental health, education, workforce development, higher education, welfare-can commit to and engage in the development of a comprehensive, coordinated, strategic effort to ensure the safe passage of foster youth into adulthood.
Institute Information NGA Experts Roundtable
On May 20, 2005, the Center convened researchers, state policymakers, practitioners and other experts to discuss how states can better address the needs of youth leaving foster care. Experts at the daylong meeting identified key elements and strategies in a comprehensive state system that assists older foster youth in successfully transitioning to adulthood.
Experts Roundtable Meeting Summary Policy Academy on Young Adults with Disabilities
Research and experience have shown that youth with disabilities can become contributing, productive, healthy members of society if given the opportunity and supports. Despite large state investments in special education, vocational rehabilitation, accessible transportation and other services, young adults with disabilities attain less education than their peers without disabilities and experience higher rates of unemployment, homelessness, poverty, and institutionalization, including incarceration. Many state governments are looking for comprehensive approaches to address these problems. To support Governors in these efforts, the Center is currently working with teams from six states (Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Montana, and Washington) to improve outcomes for young adults with disabilities, aged 14 to 30.
Policy Academy Information Positive Youth Development
The NGA Center for Best Practices is working with the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Forum for Youth Investment to provide state policy makers the tools and supports necessary to strengthen youth policies and programs in their state. In September of 2005, NGA co-hosted a three-day conference for 13 states represented by state legislators, and state legislative and executive staff through a competitive selection process around strengthening youth policy. The state teams received technical assistance from youth experts and had the opportunity to learn and share with other state teams. NGA and our partners held a second Institute for six states (California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire) in June 23-24, 2006.
Positive Youth Development Information Related Links Related Documents: Related Sites: Foster Care Youth: Youth with Disabilities: Youth Development: Other: |
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