Independent Living Program - Florida's Center for Child Welfare

Redesign of Services to Young Adults Formerly in Foster CarePurposeThe purpose of this document is to provide a brief summary of therecommendations proposed by the members of the workgroup convened toredesign the framework of services for young adults formerly in foster care. Theworkgroup was comprised of members of the Independent Living ServicesAdvisory Council, representatives of the Florida Coalition for Children, theDepartment of Children and Families and key stakeholders. More information isavailable at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/indliving/AdvisoryCouncil/index.shtmlAssumptions and Guiding Principles Change is needed in the current statutory framework for services to youngadults regardless of whether or not the Department opts for the federalFostering Connections Extension of Foster Care Beyond Age 18 The scope/focus of this redesign effort is on the young adults formerly infoster care program between the ages of 18 and 23 Future efforts will be geared toward the teen services framework Program design must be appealing to youth to ensure young people willparticipate and benefit from the services – the program design mustrecognize that young people exiting care are sometimes leery of continuedcontact with the child welfare agency, however, they often return to theagency asking for help within a few months of becoming adults The young adult services framework should be aligned with acceptedparenting practices to the degree possibleo Youth will make mistakes and must have the opportunity to learno Guidance (in the form of casework) for the youth is an expectationo Acceptance of support means expectations for the young person Access to education and training services should be available to anypotentially eligible young adult formerly in foster care requestingassistance The child welfare system is obligated to inform all potentially eligible youthof the available opportunities and provide access to services Young people should be able to move from one service level to another toensure maximum opportunity for success The framework for service delivery should specify obligations andaccountability for both the service providers and the youth recipients The current view that the “check” (or $1256 per month) is an entitlement isnot resulting in positive youth outcomes Youth who demonstrate the ability to handle funds responsibly must begiven increasing opportunities to manage funds on their own Youth have the option to apply for services – participation is voluntary onthe part of the youth Service delivery must be driven by quality assessment and planning –expectations and obligations for providers and youth must be clearDraft for reviewJuly 21, 2010