let’s get personal! personal perspective from a former foster youth
TRANSCRIPT
Let’s Get Personal!Personal Perspective from a Former
Foster Youth
Crystal L. WilliamsFounding Member, EmpowerMEnt
Author Youth Advocate Public Speaker
Business Owner
MY STORY Memphis to Atlanta age 9 Shelter to shelter Never attended the same school Entered foster care at 10 Disconnected from:
Extended family Support Siblings Mother School Community
MY STORY: RECONNECTED Supportive home Encouraged to participate
in activities (School, church)
Excelled in school (Graduated from HS, college)
Located areas on interest Reconnecting with
biological family: STILL IN PROGRESS!
Maintaining connection with Adoptive family
ADULT ADOPTION: ITS POSSIBLE!
Disconnected YouthThe foster care/adoption experience can make it difficult for young people to
trust and to connect after a traumatic event occurs.
Youth may experience:• Physical aggression to adults• Sexual acting out• Eating disorders• Conduct disorders• Hyperactivity• Withdrawal
FAMILY
PEERSCOMMUNI
TY
SCHOOL
SOCIAL CAPITAL“Social capital is comprised of social networks and social relationships, a bonding between similar and a bridging between diverse people.*
*Adler & Kwon, 2002; Dekker & Uslaner, 2001; Uslaner, 2001
DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SUPPORTS AND
SERVICES Graduated Independence Mentors, Communications to build social
capital Strategic investment in a young person’s
future Young people as drivers Challenging a young person to reach
goals (WTLP)
GRADUATED INDEPENDENCE
Providing youth the tools and resources to live inter-dependently
Connected by 21 (CB21) must look different
How to connect to community (bridging and bonding)
PROGRAMS ARE NOT ENOUGH!
RECOMMENDATIONS
Youth are empowered to complete college/trade/employment
New measures are put into place to ensure that ALL YOUTH have access to developmentally appropriate housing that is safe, sustainable, and stable
Youth obtain Employment and Job seeking skills that are dynamic and transferable
Educational goals are assessed on a case by case basis Emphasis on social/emotional healing to promote
network building and community connections Transitional resources for all youth regardless if they
choose to go to school or enter the workforce directly
QUESTIONS?
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