Since it's founding in 1997, the CYC-Net discussion group has been asked thousands of questions. These questions often generate many replies from people in all spheres of the Child and Youth Care profession and contain personal experiences, viewpoints, as well as recommended resources.
Below are some of the threads of discussions on varying Child and Youth Care related topics.
Questions and Responses have been reproduced verbatim.
Listen to thisHello all,
I am wondering if folks have any thoughts about the process of youth in care transitioning out of the child welfare system; specifically, I am looking to hear ideas / perspectives on what might be missing in terms of this process and what has been working successfully. Any responses would be greatly appreciated!
Karrie-Noelle Plohman
California
...
Hi Karrie-Noelle
This is something that many child and youth agencies struggle with. My
suggestion is that when a child is admitted a disengagement plan is
developed, much as an IPD and care plan. One of the important aspects of
transition should be the involvement of family and or community.
Building support structures around the child is also important.
Regards
Alfred Harris
...
Hi: I highly recommend a recent article by Gillian Schofield and Mary
Beek entitled "Growing up in foster care: providing a secure base
through adolescence"; published in the Child and Family Social Work
Journal (August 2009). Provides a useful theoretical model
for understanding the needs of children (in care and otherwise) as they
transition from adolescence to adult life. Abstract is below.
Joel Kanter
Washington DC
ABSTRACT
As the UK Government White Paper, Care Matters: Time for Change,
suggested, foster children need the care system to provide them with
good quality foster family care that will help them through childhood to
success and fulfillment of their potential in adult life. This paper
draws on the third phase of Growing Up in Foster Care, a longitudinal
study of 52 children in planned, long-term foster care (1997–2006). It
aims to increase our understanding of the transformational power of
foster family relationships over time and particularly in adolescence.
It shows how a secure base parenting model, using concepts from
attachment and resilience, can be applied to foster care of adolescents.
The paper uses case material to demonstrate each dimension of this
secure base model and to emphasise how, even when adolescents have had
stable and effective placements, they are likely to need support through
into adulthood.
...
After my experience I've noticed that on a practical level, we provide
access to coaching services for the corporate sector when people are
starting out with their own business or are experiencing problematic
times in their business. I see no reason why professional coaching
programs are not readily available for these transitioning young people.
Coaching is not care but assisting in moving forward with very specific
goal oriented programming with real time results. When the young person
sees results life just has a way of providing positive reinforcement.
Just my opinion.
Manjit Virk
...
Hey Kerrie
As further resources:
The National Youth in Care Network
www.youthincare.ca is a resource for youth and former youth in care
as a way to connect and keep connected as these are often the only
"family" that a young person may be left with. There is an alumni
in this organization.
Provincially, there is a great resource for youth up until 25 who are
looking to keep connected, in Ontario at
www.ontarioyouthcan.org
I have done some advocacy and research re: youth transitioning out of
care and would love to share some resources of the impacts of extended
care (past 18 and past 21) as well as some resources for youth.
If you are not from Canada, these provide great advocacy and research
templates...no need to reinvent the wheel!
The types of resources and supports are ready available in each
province/region and when you hone down the specific area :)
Good luck :)
Amanda Rose
