working with crossover youth changing the dialogue to help youth thrive
TRANSCRIPT
Working with Crossover Youth
Changing the dialogue to help youth thrive
Currently there are many efforts to support youth who have been systems involved
Examples Include: • Opportunity Youth Fund• Intervention for
Youth/Young Adults with Child Welfare Involvement At-Risk of Homelessness
• Crossover Youth Practice Model
• System of Care
The services from which young adults typically “age out” case management; supervised, supported, or group home settings; educational support; specialized vocational support, preparation, and counseling; preparation for
independent living; and social skills training.
Often youth who have been in foster care are forced to give up continuity of services, often having to change the staff they see or the programs they use, which can further exacerbate issues of depression and mistrust, and cause a lapse in services.
During this time, challenges include:
Becoming an adult developmentally and legally; Transitioning from child services to adult services in
the mental health systems; Replacing caseworkers, parents / guardian in
making decisions; Completing high school; Moving from the juvenile justice and delinquency Achieving financial self-sufficiency; Switching to adult service systems for employment
and education; and Understanding eligibility criteria for adult public
assistance programs such as Supplemental Security Income, food assistance, housing assistance, and medical assistance.
What is the real story for Young Adults
HousingRelationshipsHealth CareEducationFinances Transportation Parenting Employment
“I am strong, distrustful, angry, smart, creative, and said what I thought I needed to say to survive. I was worthy of more than what I got, and the adults in my life should have taken the time to tell me that”
− Foster youth comment from “Things People Never Told Me”
For young adults that have been involved in systems of care they have an increased reliance/dependence on social supports and interventions. Additionally reduced access to education and employment options
Nearly 22 million people in the U.S. (ages 18-31) are living with their parents.” (Pew Center Study)
Take A Minute To Reflect On All Of The Changes You Went Through From 16 – 26 Years.What would by your
personal map of your systems involvement?
What was your experience?
Starting a new dialogue on crossover youth
• Think how your map changes when you look at it from the vantage point seeing your transition age as a whole – It is a web of relationships rather than any
particular piece. – Experiences are explored in the larger
context of themes that are unfolding over time
– It is understanding life is a web of interconnections that creates emerging patterns
Understanding Transition
CHANGETHE CIRCUMSTANCES OUTSIDE OF US
TRANSITIONSTHE REORIENTATIN PROCESS INSIDE OF US
RESONANCETHE PRIVATE MEANING THAT ECHOES
FROM THE PAST
ResistancePeople are said to resist change. But more often it is the transition that is resisted.
What’s the difference?
As a Problem Solver
Felt need Identification of problem
Analysis of Causes
Analysis of possible solutions
Action planning
Basic Assumption: A challenge is a problem to be solved
As a Resource
Appreciating and valuing the best of what is
Envisioning what might be
Dialoging on what should be
Basic Assumption: A challenge is a mystery to
be embraced
“My emotions sometimes control me, but it doesn’t mean
I’m unable to learn or listen! When I am depressed or not
feeling it, it is hard to get anything done. People don’t understand I need inspiration
sometimes to get things done. When I feel good I get
everything done. Sometimes it is all or nothing.”
Making sure each young person has the support they need to grow and thrive
Psychosocial Development for Transition Aged Youth
Developmental changes during this transitional time include:
Cognitive Social Moral Social-sexual
Identity formation
“Young adults who are on their own often have difficulty negotiating the system without support and, consequently, may go without needed services and supports”
Key Features of Emerging Approaches for working with Transition Aged Youth with SMI or SED
Engage youth in their own
futures planning process
Provide individualized,
developmentally-appropriate and
culturally responsive services
and supports
Involve youth with their families
and other key supports
Self-determination
Individualized school-to-career
planning
Strengths-based approach
Unconditional care
Building family and community
support
Wraparound
Systemic support and
consultation
Tips for Partnering with Youth and Young
Adults
View youth and young adults as strong and
capable
Engage young people as partners in
planning, using and giving
feedback on services
Assist young people in making
thoughtful choice and
follow through
Assist young people in
taking responsibility, taking positive
risk
Be optimistic, show empathy
and build trusting
relationships
Tips for Service
Providers
Promote transformation
Support empowerme
nt and effective self
advocacy
Build partnerships
and collaborate to bridge
service gaps
Provide individualized, developmentally appropriate
services
Meet needs in key areas - Learning, Working, Leading
Connecting, Thriving
