Supporting Young People in their Transition to Adulthood

The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, the most significant child welfare reform legislation in more than a decade, has made significant improvements aimed at improving outcomes for children and youth who have spent time in foster care or at risk of child welfare involvement. A number of the Fostering Connections’ provisions are designed to promote the well-being of older youth in foster care. One of these provisions includes mandating the development of a transition plan no later than 90 days prior to the youth’s 18th birthday, or older if the state chooses to extend care beyond 18.  Do you feel prepared to develop these mandated transition plans in partnership with the young people you work with? If so, can you share some ideas on your approach?

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Posted in children, practice, social work |

3 Responses to “Supporting Young People in their Transition to Adulthood”

  1. Marianne Murphy Says:
    July 6th, 2010 at 10:38 pm

    I’ve been a Transition Coordinator in NYS for 15 years. My area of expertise is Transition Planning for students with disabilities. My first thought is that 90 days prior to 18 is woefully to late.

    Simply put there are 3 questions I explore with the young adults: Where are you now? (strengths and needs); Where do you want to go? (Goals for Career, Education, Residence); What needs to happen to get there? (Linkages, service’s, applications).

    It’s very productive to conduct a comprehensive assessment and review it with the young adult. The assessment as described in the NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings, Standard #6. Assessment, is an outstanding guideline. Reviewing the assessment with the young adult is a teaching moment.

  2. lisa Says:
    July 16th, 2010 at 4:53 pm

    I was in a girls home and there was very little preperation for adulthood bcak in the 80″s

  3. mary k Says:
    August 7th, 2010 at 8:55 am

    My 20 year old son, who struggled through school and dropped out at 16 (we encouraged it as he was being bullied daily)… is heading off to college next week. We haven’t seen any of his old behaviors in years…he’s a good kid and excited about heading to school… until yesterday when he had a total melt down. We all know it is his anxiety that is the underlining cause. I wish there was something I could do to help him. Ativan would probably work well in this situation, but it is doubtful that he could get it. ..just to get him through the next month. I am a mental health social worker… out of ideas

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