Using the Youth Thrive Frame to Support Georgia’s Youth with Foster Care Experience

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Agenda

• Overview: GradNation, Georgia, and Youth Thrive• Testimonials: The Role of Youth Thrive In Our Work and Lives• Activity: Resource Roundup• Panel: Improving Outcomes for Youth with Foster Care Experience

Using the Youth Thrive Frame• Closing

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GradNation – America’s Promise Alliance

Systems-level partnership and collaboration

Skills and competencies that build autonomy

Supportive relationships with and between adults and peers

Our goal: Increase the nation’s on-time high school graduation rate to 90 percent.

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Experiences with Youth Thrive

Brittany Myers Social Activist

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Why Youth Thrive at DFCS

Carmen Callaway Interim Section Director

Division of Family and Children's ServicesWell-Being Services Section

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Georgia Division of Family and Children ServicesOffice of Program and Practice Guidance

DFCS Well-Being Services Section

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The Well-Being Services Section - through its coordinated collaborations and partnerships - supports thestrategic alignment of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Service’s mission, values and bestpractices through its engagement with children, families, and communities.

Our state’s child welfare services within the Well-Being Section supports programs and services thatinterface with local communities to address child, older youth and family well-being issues centering around:

1. Self-Sufficiency Readiness2. Educational Stability3. Positive Youth Development4. Youth Job Preparation and Career Exploration5. Physical Behavioral Health Services 6. Community-based Programs 7. Child Welfare Support Services8. Independent Living Support and Ttransitional Services

DFCS Well-Being Services Section

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Afterschool Care Program

Chafee Independent Living Program Director

Comprehensive Data and Systems Support

Early Childhood Collaboration

Education Programming, Assessmentt and Consultation (EPAC)

Georgia Creating the Rising Experienced Worker (CREW)

In-Home and Support Services

Wellness Programming, Assessment and Consultation (EPAC)

DFCS Well-Being Services Section Programs

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Our main goal within the Well-Being Services Section is to continue to move the needle in ensuring children, young adults and transitioning young adults

have what they need to be successful adults who THRIVE.

Well-Being services, programs, and initiatives are centered around:

Program staff having what they need to perform successfully. Case Managers having what they need to support fully. Youth, families and young adults having what they need to thrive completely.

DFCS Well-Being Services Section

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Well-Being Outcome 1: Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children’s needs

Well-Being Outcome 2: Children receive appropriate services to meet their educational needs

Well-Being Outcome 3: Children receive adequate services to meet their physical and mental health needs.

DFCS Well-Being Services Section

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Resource Roundup

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Resource Roundup Debrief

Observers:• What were some observations?• Whose voice was loudest?• Who did the young person seem to listen to the most?• Did this trigger any feelings for you as an observant?

Participants:• How did you feel?• What did the young person seem to hear?

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Authentic Youth Engagement and Youth Voice

Things to keep in mind when authentically engaging youth:• Voice at the table not just in the room• Shared power - and compensation• Humility• Preparation and debriefing are crucial

• Prep and Debrief Guide will be shared following this session

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Improving Outcomes for Youth with Foster Care Experience Using the Youth Thrive Frame

• Heather Rowles • Executive Director, Multi-Agency Alliance for Children

• Carmen Callaway • Interim Section Director, Division of Family and Children Services

• Emelie Jamison • Young Youth Leader, Elevated Minds

• Brittany Myers• Social Activist, Georgia EmpowerMEnt

• Monika Kincheloe (Moderator)• Senior Director – Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, America's Promise Alliance

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INCREASE PROTECTIVE & PROMOTIVE FACTORS

•Youth resilience

•Social connections

•Knowledge of adolescent development

•Concrete support in times of need

•Cognitive and social-emotional competence

REDUCE RISK FACTORS•Psychological stressors

•Inadequate or negative relationships with family members, adults outside youth’s family and peers

•Insufficient or inadequate opportunities for positive growth and development

•Unsafe, unstable, inequitable environments

DYNAMIC OUTCOMESHEALTHY DEVELOPMENT & WELL-BEING FOR YOUTH

•Physically and emotionally healthy

•Hopeful, optimistic, compassionate, curious

•Ability to form and sustain caring, committed relationships

•Success in school and workplace

• Service to community or society

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Improving Outcomes for Youth with Foster Care Experience Using the Youth Thrive Frame

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The education system is good at creating structures for academic achievement.

Discipline practices

Work-based learning

Behavioral health services

Mentorship programs

Schedules that promote relationship building

The question for systems leaders, now, is: to what extent do our structures for academic achievement reflect what we know about well-being? Deeper learning

Project-based learning

Competency-based learning

Differentiated instruction

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Discussion

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Thank you!

• Multi-Agency Alliance for Children:http://www.maac4kids.org/

• Georgia Division of family and Children Services: https://dfcs.georgia.gov/

• GradNationhttp://gradnation.americaspromise.org/

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EmpowerMEnt Youth Preparation Stages Adapted from Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative

Commitment &

Expectations

Final & End Results

Approval & Tasks

STEP 1: Time & Date Approval from

work or school Key players,

roles & expectations

Technology implications

Event contact

STEP 2: Overall Time

Commitment Materials

needed for “ask” Location Attire Communication

Expectations

Step 3: Compensation (Stipend/Volunteer) Co-presenters/facilitators (Young People/Adults) End Results

EmpowerMEnt Youth Preparation Stages Adapted from Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative

End result, final product,

objectives Lead time

Key players and their role (both Initiative and meeting/event

participants

Technology implications (they have to consider things like cell phone

planes, internet access-webinars

Local site contact

Time commitment

Materials for

projectLocation

Attire

Preparation (call, f2f, other

materials/training, self care)

Expected mailings or emails

Stipends/Volunteer

Other Young Fellows and adults

Approval from work or school

EmpowerMEnt Youth Debrief Stages Adapted from Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative

Implications & Location

Debrief & Follow-Up

Assessment

Step 1 Immediate

check-in for any triggers, high points & plan of support

Debrief schedule preference

Step 3 Debrief event or activity Review Expectations – successes & challenges Debrief personal –professional develop. pts. What’s Next? Stipends, Other

Step 2 Time

Commitment Materials Location

EmpowerMEnt Youth Debrief Stages Adapted from Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative

End result, final product,

objectives Check-in Triggers?/

plan of support

What’s Next: Stipends in what form & by when

Assess time and preferences for immediate debrief compared with f/u

Technology implications (they have to consider things like cell phone

planes, internet access-webinars

Time commitment

Materials Location

Debrief –Event/Activity

Debrief – Personal “what’s in it for me”, self

care & Professional

Expected mailings or emails