What strategies would you use to serve the needs of Foster Youth?

Question

What strategies would you use to serve the needs of Foster Youth

Answer 1

It depends on the youth. All kids are different and unique and thus what would be helpful to them would be different.

The best advice that is universal is to listen to them and let them make decisions relevant to their case once they are mature enough to do so. Also, it is good to prepare youth for the future by talking to them about college and vocational training, teaching them lifeskills and helping them get a job once they are old enough to work. Generally, it is also a bad idea to insult members of their birth family, even if they were abusive or neglectful.

Kids with siblings usually want to be placed with or have visits with their brothers and sisters. In other cases, it is necessary to protect them from eachother, so it is important to get to know the kids and learn how they want that relationship treated.

Some kids need help after they turn 18 and this might include getting health insurance, buying a car, getting a copy of their birth certificate and social security card, finding housing or a whole host of other things.

Answer 2

* Keep a backup copy of all records, tests, and homework for at least 12 months, so that if/when the child moves to a new foster home, the information is available to the new foster parent and caseworker.

* Keep in semi-regular contact with the foster parent, and ask for permission to contact the child's caseworker.

* The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act (Public Law 96-272) requires that child welfare agencies review the appropriateness and necessity for the foster plan every 6 months. This is generally expanded to require them to prepare a plan for the child's permanency needs, and update the plan every 6 months. If you feel that the child has educational needs that need to be addressed, and you have contacted the caseworker (see above), you may be able to influence that plan or request that you be included in Case Conferences.