(Posted 2024 January)
The work of the new Fostering Futures Unit in Foster Care and Adoption is all about helping youth in care to establish lifelong permanent connections and preparing older youth to transition to adulthood. The Unit Supervisor Monique White answers a few questions about her background and the unit.
Foster Family News: What is your professional background?
Monique White, Fostering Futures Unit Supervisor: I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia with a double major in Anthropology and Psychology and worked with seriously mentally ill (SMI) clients in Charlottesville and Centreville, Va. I graduated from George Mason University with my Master of Social Work in 2013, while working at UMFS as their Northern Virginia Region’s Intake Coordinator and a treatment foster care worker. I was a Fairfax County Foster Care worker in the South County region of Fairfax for nine years, and I just became the Fostering Futures Unit supervisor in August 2023. Altogether, I have worked in the field of social work for about 15 years.
FFN: What is your philosophy of social work?
MW: I believe in change - that individuals, families, organizations, and systems can change, and that the change requires support and purposeful, intentional work towards common goals. I believe that it is imperative to recognize the strengths, diversity and worth of families and individuals in the child welfare system, as we provide them with services and support. I believe that collaboration, self- determination, and creative thinking are critical for children and families to move forward as they travel the path to healing. But most of all I believe that every child deserves a family, a safe and loving home, and the support that we all needed as we transitioned to adulthood.
FFN: What does your unit do, and what is the main goal of your unit?
MW: Fostering Futures is one of five units within the Foster Care & Adoption Resource and Support Program. Fostering Futures provides two services. Permanency specialists help youth in foster care achieve legal permanency (reunification, placement with relatives, or adoption), when possible and assist in developing lifelong connections prior to exiting foster care.
Independent Living specialists assess, develop, and strengthen the independent living skills of youth over 14 and under 21 years old receiving foster care services. We offer monthly workshops as well as individual case management support to teach children skills such as budgeting, cooking, healthy relationships, college preparation, and employment skills.
Our goal is for all our youth to exit foster care with permanent families or lifelong connections and prepared for their transition into adulthood. My favorite things about the work we do are reunification and seeing our youth transition into successful adults!
FFN: Do you provide other supports to youth in care?
MW: We provide two paid summer employment programs for youth, age 16 and up. Youth participate for 4-8 weeks and learn professional skills while having an opportunity to shadow or intern at a work site.
Our unit is also responsible for the management of state funding (Chafee Program IL Funding and Education and Training Vouchers). Youth over the age of 14 may be eligible for certain funding to support their independent living needs (high school expenses, college expenses, first apartment expenses). Some of these funds are available to our youth up until the age of 26.
FFN: What is one thing you want people to know about your unit?
MW: Every youth in care has the right to legal permanency and lifelong connections, as well as to be prepared to transition to adulthood. Our workers are here to support these efforts. We have a wealth of knowledge and resources in our unit so foster parents and older youth shouldn’t hesitate to talk with your worker about these services including financial assistance, college preparation, and guidance related to Independent Living.
FFN: What is the structure of the Fostering Futures Unit?
MW: Once fully staffed, we’ll have six permanent members. Two staff will be dedicated to Independent Living, one being Charisma Canty. Two will be dedicated to supporting permanency. The unit also includes our administrative assistant, Annah Daniels-Elbert and myself, Monique White, the unit supervisor. Currently, we are also lucky to have our Master of Social Work intern, Aleta Carter.
FFN: How can youth reach the unit?
MW: All youth over the age of 14 have an IL specialist assigned to them and may be eligible for funding and services. If they are not aware of these supports, I would encourage them to talk with their worker for more information and to get the contact information for their IL specialist. The earlier the better regarding funding or college preparation.
Permanency cases are referred by the worker since we are only able to carry a certain number at a time.
We have a general email box at DFSIndependentLiving@fairfaxcounty.gov if you have a question or a concern and you don’t know who to ask.
If you have any questions, concerns, or great ideas for me, you can reach me at Monique.White@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Provided by Monique White, supervisor Fostering Futures 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.
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