Statewide Quality Assurance Report

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Florida Department of Children and FamiliesCase Management Services - 2009-2010 Quality Assurance Report4. Youth acknowledged that many of them have mental health issues. They felt foster parentsneeded to be better prepared to handle their behavior. Furthermore, youth did not understandtheir diagnosis, their behaviors, or treatment with medication. Although generally told theirdiagnosis, no one explained it to them in age appropriate terms. Youth believe that when fosterparents don’t understand the diagnosis, there is a risk of placement failure when the youth actsout.5. Youth expressed concern that case workers frequently change, forcing them to rebuild trust andrelationships. They felt this impacted their case plan and goals for a permanent home.6. Youth want mentors in the community who can be a permanent connection when theytransition from foster care. Although they may have an independent living caseworker or GAL,they felt they needed someone outside of government that they could turn to in times of need.7. Youth could not always participate in after school activities such as drama club, dance, football,and so forth due to lack of transportation. Youth were also concerned that they are unable toget a driver’s license when they turn 16. Case workers and foster parents don’t feel comfortablesigning for underage youth.8. Youth praised the Department’s Independent Living (IL) Programs. They felt well supported bytheir IL workers. They expressed concern about possible reductions in their Road toIndependence payments. Some of the youth in group home shared instances where rulesprohibit driving, cooking, and sleepovers due to liability issues.In summary, these youth offer many insights into the child welfare system of care. Theirthoughts and observations must be valued and used to improve practice in local systems of care.Their perspective and their voice are critical to improving practice as they are our primaryconsumer. They know there are challenges but they want all future children entering fostercare to always feel they are loved as part of a family.The information below was written by youth and provides their perspective of the childwelfare system.Office of Family Safety | Page 37
Florida Department of Children and FamiliesCase Management Services - 2009-2010 Quality Assurance ReportHillsborough Youth Perspective RoundtableYouth Perspective Roundtable ReportSeptember 2010Introduction. The voice of the youth in Hillsborough County matters! We appreciate theopportunities that we have had to share our concerns, thoughts and opinions through ourinvolvement in the Youth Empowerment Board. As programming improvements are madelocally and statewide, it is important for policy makers to realize that an opportunity for growthstill exists. Listening and accepting the youth voice will allow future partnership between youthand adults striving to make system change.Methodology. The youth in Hillsborough County that participated in the “Youth PerspectiveRoundtable” came together through an invitation from Independent Living staff and an openinvitation during our monthly Youth Empowerment Board meeting. Our ages ranged from age14 to age 18 and our foster care experience included residing in foster homes, group homes andliving independently. Although, the majority of the youth present were currently residing in agroup home. Youth present hoped to provide ideas as to what was working and suggestions onwhat areas within foster care could be improved.Analysis and Discussion. Listed below are some areas discussed during the roundtablediscussion.Placement- Areas of further improvement included wanting more freedom/normalcy,wanting increased allowance and the concern regarding the lack of or minimal communicationregarding placement changes which leads to unstable placements. What we found that isworking is the homes that we live in care about us and accept us for who we are and where wehave been. We are supported in our sibling visits and relationships.Education- Areas of further improvement included wanting to be informed early onregarding college options especially for those that are behind or have fallen behind in the pastand also ways to prevent and advocate for no school switches when placement changes occur.What we found that is working is that we are taught to advocate for ourselves so that we stay inOffice of Family Safety | Page 38
Page 1 and 2: Department ofChildren and FamiliesF
Page 3 and 4: Florida Department of Children and
Page 14: Florida Department of Children and

Statewide Quality Assurance Report

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?