Transcript Employment Resources for Foster Youth with Disabilities

Employment Resources
for Foster Youth With
Disabilities
Paul DiLorenzo, Strategic Consultant
Eric Steiner, Advisor
Casey Family Programs Systems Improvement
April 25, 2013
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Who are We?
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Casey Family Programs: An Introduction
Casey Family Programs 2020 Strategy
In Pursuit of our 2020 Goals
Five Goals that Shape Our Work
Resources from Today’s Webinar
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
3
Casey Family Programs 2020 Strategy
• Safe Reduction
• Reinvestment
• Well-being and Self-Sufficiency
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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In Pursuit of Our 2020 Goals
• Direct service
• Strategic consulting
• Public policy, research and strategic
communications
• Partnerships
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Five Goals Shape Our Work
• Permanent families and connections
• Successful transitions to adulthood
• Prevention, early intervention and strengthening
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families
Eliminating racial disproportionality and
disparities
Improving Indian child welfare
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Indian Child Welfare Program
• Our Indian Child Welfare Act Program, based in Denver,
is committed to developing a shared community vision
for improving child welfare systems serving American
Indian and Alaska Native children and their families. The
unit engages leaders from the tribal, state, federal and
private sectors and seeks guidance from community
leadership.
• We value traditional beliefs and customs about child
rearing and protection by supporting traditional American
Indian and Alaska Native child welfare practices with
shared responsibility for children, community values, and
other cultural practices enforced by extended families.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Youth With Disabilities Are…
• Three times as likely to drop out of high school.
• Half as likely to attend or finish college (Those who do
finish are more likely to have taken a less rigorous
course load).
• More likely to be unemployed or underemployed.
• Three times as likely to live in poverty as adults.
• Four times as likely to be adjudicated.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Foster Youth in Special Education
• Have lower grade point averages (than youth in general
education).
• Change schools more frequently (than youth in general
education and special education only)
• Earn fewer credits toward graduation (than youth in
general education).
• Have lower scores on state testing (than youth in general
education and foster care only).
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Foster Youth in Special Education
• Are more likely to be exempted from state testing (than
youth in general education and foster care only).
• Are more likely to be in segregated special education
classes (than youth in special education only).
• Have more instability in foster care placement (than
youth in foster care only).
Fostering Futures Project: Are We Ignoring Foster Youth
With Disabilities?
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
10
About that “Transition Cliff”
• Youth need:
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connection to family, peers and caring adults;
completion of age appropriate educational levels;
a safe and stable and stable place to live;
opportunities for career exploration and employment;
an understanding of how to manage financial assets;
and opportunities for social and civic engagement.
• For foster youth with disabilities, they can be doublydisadvantaged, but we can work together to help them
avoid “The Transition Cliff.”
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Transition and The Work Force
• Youth who drop out of school are:
 72% more likely to be unemployed.
 Earn 27% less than high school graduates (U.S.
Department of Labor, 2003).
• Youth without a high school diploma, are three times
more likely to live in poverty (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
2001).
• Every student dropout costs the government over
$200,000 in public spending (Gonzales et al., 2002).
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Foster Youth With Disabilities Need
• To be engaged in creating, modifying and integrating
their Individualized Education Program, Transition Plan
and/or Independent Living Plan,
• To be aware that they can bring a non-parental adult,
friend, or guardian at litem to their IEP meetings,
• To understand the relationships between benefits
planning and career choices, and
• To learn to communicate their disability-related work
support and accommodation needs.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
13
Foster Youth With Disabilities Need
• to learn to find, formally request and secure appropriate
supports and reasonable accommodations in education,
training and employment settings,
• mentors and role models including persons with and
without disabilities, and
• an understanding of disability history, culture, and
disability public policy issues and their rights and
responsibilities.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Foster youth with disabilities need
Parents, families and other caring adults who
have:
• an understanding of their youth’s disability and how it
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affects his or her education, employment and/or daily
living options,
knowledge of rights and responsibilities under various
disability-related legislation,
knowledge of and access to programs, services,
supports and accommodations available for young
people with disabilities; and
an understanding of how individualized planning tools
can assist youth in achieving transition goals and
objectives.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Despite These Challenges…
We can work together to:
• recognize the resiliency and potential of foster youth with
disabilities,
• better align our systems to improve the employment and
well-being outcomes of foster youth with disabilities,
• provide opportunities for our youth to have a sense of
purpose, pride and accomplishment,
• help our youth contribute to the community and
contribute to their own self-determination, and
• connect foster youth with disabilities to supportive adults
that can lead to lifelong connections.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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We Know…
• People with disabilities form a diverse minority group that
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crosses ethnicity, gender, race, sexual orientation and
socioeconomic status.
People with disabilities are the largest minority group, and it is
the only group any one of us can become a member of at any
time.
That workers with a disability will perform well on the job if
accommodated appropriately.
Of the 69.6 million families in the United States, more than 20
million have at least one family member with a disability.
That evidence-based strategies like Customized Employment
can be effective for foster youth with disabilities.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
17
Questions and Answers
Questions and Answers for Paul DiLorenzo,
Strategic Consultant for Casey Family Programs
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Three Effective Programs
• Marriott Bridges… From School to Work
• Treehouse
• Texas Department of Family and Protective
Services Preparation for Adult Living (PAL)
Program
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
Marriott Bridges...
From School to Work
Locations: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles,
Philadelphia, San Francisco , Washington, D.C.
Key Features:
• Meeting each worker at their level
• A Team Approach: School, Employer, Counselor, Bridges
Staff
• In-depth Assessment: involving youth and parents.
• Customized Employment: One Job at a Time
• Supportive and Nurturing Job Coaching
• An Orientation Toward Competitive Employment (Long
Term)
website: http://www.bridgestowork.org/
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Marriott Bridges...
Objectives and Results
After 18 -24 months in the program, participants will advance if
they have met three of five criteria (exceptions apply for
individuals with severe or profound disabilities).
The five areas are:
• increase in hourly wage;
• increase in hours worked per week;
• quantifiable increase in job responsibilities or transfer to a
position with such an increase;
• pursuit of postsecondary education or training; and
• continuous employment for twelve months.
Note: The criteria are presented as a method to measure
progress, and individuals are not penalized if they do not meet
the criteria.
Short video (5:35):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD4HouSv1JY
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Treehouse (www.treehouseforkids.org)
Location: Seattle (Replicated Throughout Washington State)
Key Features:
• Exclusively Serves Youth in Foster Care
• Treehouse’s Educational Advocacy Program (Team
Approach)
• Partners: Children’s Administration, Casey Family Programs,
the Mockingbird Society and Seattle University
• Foster Care to College Mentorship Program
• Eligible for Independent Living Services (ages 14 to 21)
• Interested in pursuing post-secondary education or training
• “A Safe Place to Dream” – motto
• Tutoring and Enrichment Activities (e.g., Summer Camp)
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
22
Treehouse Objectives and Results
• In 2010, 90% of the seniors served by Treehouse graduated
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from high school. Of those youth, 79% enrolled in a postsecondary program.
During the 2009-2010 school year, approximately half of
Treehouse’s school-based tutoring students gained more than
one grade-level of skill during a single academic year.
Treehouse’s Educational Advocacy Program links foster
families, schools, social workers and foster youth to preserve
students’ rights to intervention, testing and accommodation,
boosting their chances of academic success.
Workshops for foster, adoptive, kinship and birth parents
identify and address barriers to a youth’s educational success.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Texas PAL Program
Location: Texas (Statewide)
Key Features:
• Priority for Services (Texas Workforce Commission Policy)
• Memoranda Between Child Welfare and Workforce Agency
• Comprehensive Menu of Services
• Nine Outreach Centers (diverse funding sources)
• Partnerships with Education, Mental Health and Employers
• Coordination with Education (Tuition Waiver Up to Age 25)
• Transitional Living Allowances (Up to $3,000)
• A Team Approach (including DFPS Disability Specialists)
• Career-Oriented Mentorship
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
Texas PAL Program
Objectives and Results
• Participants gained full-time employment earlier and
were more likely to complete high school or a GED at a
younger age than nonparticipants.
• In 2010, 7,701 youth ages 16 through 20 participated in
the Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program compared
to 7,735 youth participants in 2009.
• In 2010, PAL staff successfully contacted 933 out of
1,429 former foster care youth ages 18+ 60 to 120 days
after they exited the foster care system, and 316 youth
(34%) were employed full or part-time as compared with
304 (36%) youth in FY 2009.
Short Video (2:15) www.haycenter.org/vid_edu.htm
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Two Key Reports
• Youth with Disabilities in the Foster Care System:
Barriers to Success and Proposed Policy Solutions
http://www.ncd.gov/publications/2008/02262008
• People With Disabilities on Tribal Lands: Education,
Health Care, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Independent
Living
http://www.ncd.gov/publications/2003/Aug2003
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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What Can States Do?
How States Can Support Youth in Foster Care.
This National Governors’ Association report highlights effective
state strategies and promising approaches aimed at
improving outcomes for foster youth in the following five
areas:
• Education - promote educational attainment;
• Employment - connect youth with employment and career
training;
• Housing - enhance access to safe and affordable housing;
• Health care - help you gain access to and manage health
care; and
• Relationships - help youth build stable and lifelong
relationships.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
27
Additional Resources
• National Dissemination Center for Children with
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Disabilities: Employment Connections
National Research Center on Learning Disabilities
Social Security Administration Ticket to Work
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability –
Youth
Disability.gov
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
28
Questions and Answers
Questions for Eric Steiner, Advisor, Casey Family
Programs
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
29
The last word: from Jim Casey
“Casey will not only provide direct service, but
change community attitudes toward foster
parenthood, work with other agencies for
mutual improvement, provide expert methods
of foster care and child development, and
cooperate in community efforts to improve
serves to children”
-JIM CASEY, Founder, Casey Family Programs
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
30
Casey Family Programs Contacts
Paul DiLorenzo, Strategic Consultant
[email protected]
Eric Steiner, Advisor
[email protected]
Casey Family Programs
2001 Eighth Avenue, Suite 2700
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 282-7300
www.casey.org
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
31
Thank You
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
32
Education Credits
CRCC Credit - (2.0 - pending)
Pending approval by Commission on
Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)
• By May 9th participants must score 80% or
better on a online Post Test and submit an
online CRCC Request Form via the MyTACE
Portal.
My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
33
Southeast TACE Region IV
Toll-free: (866) 518-7750 [voice/tty]
Fax: (404) 541-9002
Web: TACEsoutheast.org
MyTACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal
Email: [email protected]
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
34
Disclaimer
This presentation was developed by the
TACE Center: Region IV ©2013
with funds from the U.S. Department of Education,
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the priority
of Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Projects
(TACE) – Grant #H264A080021. However, the contents of this
presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of the
RSA and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal
Government [34 CFR 75.620 (b)].
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013