(Posted 2022 May)
In January, the Post-Permanency Unit welcomed the addition of Life Skills services for older foster youth. We are committed to ensuring that these youth receive the support and services they need to be successful adults.
One of the things that drives this work is knowing that foster youth are less likely to graduate from high school. Nationally, high school statistics show that only 55% of foster youth graduated from school in 2020.
Supporting A Youth Who is Not Reaching Her Potential
When one particular young lady, we’ll call Keisha*, came into foster care, one of the issues she struggled with was truancy, with little interest in graduating.
Our Life Skills staff knew it would be a challenge to engage her, but they were determined to help her reach her full potential.
Staff invited Keisha to attend monthly workshops on topics such as budget planning, cooking, and educational resources. After almost a year of invites, she finally attended her first workshop.
During this first workshop the presenter noted that Keisha seemed uninterested and unengaged, however, she came back for the next workshop and kept coming. Through these workshops she started developing relationships with her peers and engaging more.
Keisha became a regular participant and we enjoyed seeing her shine.
Making a Connection with a Youth Advocate Makes a Difference
We identified this young lady as someone who could benefit from a youth advocate (an alumni of foster care). Keisha was open to this possibility and readily met with her youth advocate. She participated in activities with her youth advocate and benefitted from having someone in her life who had been in foster care.
Keisha took advantage of the summer employment program, learning new skills to support her desire to get a job. She worked hard in school and graduated last summer.
Over the years we have watched Keisha transform from a youth who was skipping significant amounts of school when she came into care to a high school graduate with a bright future ahead.
Keisha Sets Her Sights on the Future
As she neared her 18th birthday, Keisha began to explore options for her future. At 18, she would be eligible to leave foster care and be fully independent.
However, with the support of her Foster Care Team, including her IL Coordinator and Youth Advocate, Keisha chose to stay in Fostering Futures and take advantage of the continued supports and services that could be offered.
Today, she continues to participate in our monthly workshops and Youth Advisory Chats. Keisha is living in her own apartment and enrolled in a training program to become a clinical medical assistant. She has been awarded additional funding to support her ongoing education.
On July 22, we will be celebrating all youth who have graduated from high school or post-secondary educational programs over the last year. We know they all have bright futures ahead of them!
*Name changed to protect confidentiality.
This article is provided by the Foster Care Post-Permanency and Life Skills Unit.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
Learn about what the Foster Care and Adoption program has planned for foster families - stay on top of trends, participate in trainings and learn about policy changes.