discussion-board-8-group-project

Discussion Board 8 1. Provide a detailed, but brief description of the population and the related need in relation to your groups chosen specific population. - The population that we are examining are adolescents in Foster Care aged 16 and older who are eligible to receive Independent Living Services. Youth in foster care are eligible for services to aid them in establishing housing, financial stability, higher education and a community based support network. These services are voluntary, but not mandated, and therefore older youth may be resistant to receiving these services. Social workers must advocate for IL services that are incentivizing, focused on the child’s wishes for their future, and ultimately set the children who are aging out of foster care up for success. 2. Complete an assessment of your groups' issue with either the Logic Model or Leavitt’s Diamond. Input: Resources and Raw Materials - Caseworkers - Foster children - Independent living workers - Community Based providers - Case Files - College Applications - Housing voucher applications - Job applications Process: Using Inputs to carry out an intervention - Caseworkers work with foster children to establish plans for exiting care. - Foster children will apply for college, housing, and employment - Caseworkers will refer children to Independent living services. - Caseworkers will refer children to community based service providers Outputs: Completing an intervention and documenting completion - Students begin to apply for colleges in their late junior-senior year of high school. - Students begin to attend college tours to get ideas about colleges and where they would like to do - Social Workers begin the process of helping students prepare FAFSA applications in October of senior year. - Begin applying for scholarships to help with college or filling out applications for job and housing. - Exit plans for children are developed with community based providers assigned. Outcomes: Identifying and documenting early and late quality of life benefits to recipients of the services of intervention - Foster children have clear plans for transitioning into adulthood - Foster children are aware of the services available to them including policies for financial assistance. - Support systems are developed

- Foster children gain autonomy and are empowered to make healthy decisions Impact: Measuring changes achieved in community or organization as a result of this intervention - Foster children aging out of foster care enter adulthood with a plan - Rates of homeless youth decrease. - Foster children utilize financial services for higher education - Foster children are comfortable with interviewing, managing their finances, and maintaining employment - Foster children are empowered to make decisions for their lives. Justina 3. Brainstorming a list of possible solutions to the problem that could be the focus of the advocacy campaign, and selecting the final solution as the focus of the advocacy strategy campaign. ➢ Aging out of the Foster Care system can be a difficult transition to those who have not sufficiently prepared for independent living. While in care and nearing emancipation it is important that youth have worked on developing their self-esteem and self- efficacy skills. These skill sets will assist with building relationships in their work life balance, educational settings, and relationships that they build with their families. Solutions to a successful transition are establishing housing goals by seeking vouchers, grants, or placement in subsidized housing. Formulating and engaging the individual in financial literacy seminars. Ex. How to open a bank account, how to pay bills, additionally how to budget for expenses. Laying the groundwork for applying to higher education institutions or trade schools to further their career goals and aspirations. Surround the individual with a support group which is a community-based support network in conjunction with family support to continue to fill their toolbox of services. During this transition it’s important to have several in-house training programs to foster empowerment. Nevertheless, as a final movement for empowering these youth aging out of foster care, maintaining dignity, and fostering diversity is imperative in making a self-centered plan for a thriving environment and eliminating negative outcomes. Resources to Consider: