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School Site Professional Development Workshop. Educational Needs of Dependent Youth. Prepared by. Sponsored by. Dependency The Puzzle Comes Together. Learning Objectives. Increased awareness of the foster care system

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

  2. Dependency The Puzzle Comes Together

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

  4. 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

  5. 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

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

  7. Endless Dreams

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

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

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

  11. 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 12-18 months. • 34% end up on welfare. • 20% of females give birth shortly after leaving care. - Connect for Kids

  12. “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 Real Lives “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

  13. 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 - National Foster Youth Advisory Council

  14. Building Rapport FRAGILE Compassion Availability Trust

  15. Where is the Time?

  16. 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

  17. 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)

  18. Why Are You Vital? The Story of Melissa Fan Fan

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

  20. 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

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