• Name, county, number of years spent in foster care, and did you age out?

• What it was like when you “aged out” of foster care, and how would HB 50 have helped you?

Normalcy:

• More freedom and flexibility • Less dependency on system• Growing level of responsibility • Opportunities to earn privileges• Give and take situation vs. power struggle

Preparation for Adulthood:

• “Please prepare me for my options and help me get ready”• “Make sure I have a plan, and know the steps to take”• Youth and alumni voice on future statewide Independent Living Curriculum

• Field trips work better than lectures • Individualized approach• Don’t want to just delay negative outcomes until age 21

What will this look like?

• “How many times am I allowed to mess up before you give up on me?”

• “Let us make mistakes. This helps us to learn on our own. We didn’t get that opportunity in foster care.”

• Opportunities to learn from mistakes• Please spell out our options and responsibilities • Don’t expect us to know your hidden rules

Checkpoints to touch base

• Someone to check in with youth on a regular basis (30, 60, 90 days)

• “ Make sure I know my resources and have a strong support system”

• “Help me identify people who can help me during this transition”

• Networking and connections, vs. being on my own• Near and present support, relevant to the needs at hand

Walk me through it

• “Baby steps during the transition”• “One-on-one support”• “Meet with me in person”• Laquita’s program: “Go with the youth to the bank or hospital – don’t just send them there”

Peer Support• “Get a group of youth together who have the same goals”

• “Invite older youth to share their lessons learned with me”

• Network of alumni mentors: “Mentor those who are coming behind you”

• “Help me learn about relational boundaries, so that I don’t get taken advantage of by friends or bio family”

Why focus groups should include emancipated youth as

well as youth currently in care.

Why youth might want to leave foster care at age 18, and then

come back again.

Why it’s important to effectively partner with housing experts.

Questions and Answers