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Connecting the Dots From Foster Care to Employment and Independent Living Alice Worrell Connecting the Dots Conference August 3, 2012

Connecting the Dots Initiative

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Page 1: Connecting the Dots Initiative

Connecting the DotsFrom Foster Care to Employment and Independent Living

Alice WorrellConnecting the Dots Conference

August 3, 2012

Page 2: Connecting the Dots Initiative

Program HistoryOriginated Summer, 2011

OH Youth Advisory Board (OYAB) conference with Director Michael B. Colbert

Youth Voice: local waiting lists (WIA), youth ill-prepared for independent living; inconsistent services across county lines

Call to Action: “Connecting the Dots”

Foster Care/Office of Families and Children and Workforce Investment Act (WIA)/Office of Workforce Development to collaborate to address concerns as raised by OYAB

Page 3: Connecting the Dots Initiative

Every year in Ohio, 1,000 – 1,300 youth age out of our foster care system

Significance of Connecting the Dots in Ohio

Page 4: Connecting the Dots Initiative

National StatisticsEmployment Less than 50% are employed full time

Education 25% do not have HS degree or GED by age 23

Poverty 33% in households below poverty level (3X national rate)

Housing 22% experience homelessness

Mental Health 54% report at least one mental health problem 25% experience post-traumatic stress syndrome

Criminal Activity 33% of males incarcerated by age 19

Health Care less than 33% have healthcare coverage

Teen Pregnancy 48% of females are pregnant by19

Page 5: Connecting the Dots Initiative

Old View

Foster Youth and Young

Adults

US Health and Human Services Chafee Funds

88 PCSA IL Programs

US Dept of Labor WIA Youth

Program 20 Ohio WIBs

Services and Programs Available…

…but Disconnected

Page 6: Connecting the Dots Initiative

Connecting the Dots

The Vision

To dramatically improve the education and employment outcomes of youth emancipating from foster care, better supporting their transition to adulthood.

Page 7: Connecting the Dots Initiative

Four-tiered Initiative1.State-wide

training to build common

knowledge

(COMPLETED)

Cross-program training for independent living and One-Stop WIA youth program staff

Training for One-Stop youth staff, service providers, and foster youth, parents and case managers on web-based tools for career exploration, educational requirements, jobs available, and job search

2. Pilot programs at local level

Cuyahoga; Hamilton; Lake; Summit; and a collaboration of Montgomery, Greene, Preble, & Clinton counties

3. Website for youth Access to transition information (OYAB Ask)

4. Statewide best practice model

Phased in approach

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Page 9: Connecting the Dots Initiative

Pilots: What were we looking for?Signs of program coordination/integration:• Integrated system design• Blended funding streams• Synchronized policies• Strategic case practice• Meaningful youth involvement (voice)• Collaborative planning

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Pilots Will Provide Effective Program Elements

Youth Voice and Engagement (Youth in Transition)

Vocational Mentoring Educational Supports (e.g., targeted tutoring)

Work Experience (before graduation)

Coordinated Delivery of WIA Youth Coordinators and PCSA IL Coordinators

Page 11: Connecting the Dots Initiative

Older Youth Additional Partners Supporters

Age: 14 – 21(17 – 19 for DOL grant)

Local Agencies(e.g., Big Brothers Big Sisters,

WIA youth service providers)

Adult Supporters(e.g., foster parents and

young adults)

All Demographics(meet readiness criteria)

Corporations and Local Companies

(work experience and opportunities)

University Partners (for expertise, resources &

evaluation purposes)

Across Ohio(pilots sites; in various

placement types)

School Districts Policy makers(e.g., County

Commissioners)

CTD - Contributors

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New View

No more silos! Integrated system design Blended funding streams Synchronized policies Strategic case practice Meaningful consumer involvement (youth and

young adults) Collaborative planning

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Changes Already Evident

New workforce & employment component to IL services curriculum

New job opportunities specifically for youth to promote self-sufficiency

Foster youth/parent on Youth Council Priority for foster youth in WIA summer youth program Common service providers Passion for serving foster youth evident in WIA youth

program service providers

Page 14: Connecting the Dots Initiative

Youth who exit Ohio’s foster care system: receive adequate services to meet their

needs are educated and employed are connected to available resources demonstrate the ability to weather

living/life’s terrains beyond emancipation

Change Champions have successfully linked CTD to other commitments

(e.g., clothing and shelter, mental health)

Program Outcomes

Page 15: Connecting the Dots Initiative

Connecting the Dots…Moving Forward

What do you think would help improve educational and employment outcomes for our youth?

Page 16: Connecting the Dots Initiative

Contact Information

Alice WorrellProject Manager ODJFS Office of Workforce DevelopmentP.O. Box 1618Columbus, OH [email protected]

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QUESTIONS?