Demographics
Youth Transitioning out of the foster care system can be extremely overwhelmed with the thought of becoming independent, or with taking the necessary actions to become a responsible adult in the near future. The National Youth in Transition Database documented the outcomes of youth aged 17 through 21 years old. The NYTD database uses the data to compare and understand the experience of receiving care and after transitioning to a successfully independent individual (ACF, 2014). There were 6 outcomes that were considered when attempting to understand the life changes of the youth: financial self-sufficiency, connections with adults, homeless experiences, high risk outcomes, access to health insurance, and educational attainment …show more content…
So, if alerting the teachers supervisor, the group home supervisor, and the crisis center’s coordinator would not have helped reprimand the teacher for inappropriate and disrespectful behavior, then there would be an appointed contact by the state to step in and handle the complaint. The U.S. Ombudsman Association of 2003 made it possible for the appropriate party to receive and investigate complaints like this one. The state of California is extremely specific and has an office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson—Karen Grace-Kaho—who advocates specifically for children in foster care, and assures that youth who makes complaints will not experience vengeance (Oldmixon, 2007). This office educates the children and youth about their rights, and is only a call away, due to them having a telephone line geared to take complaints and help make referrals if necessary. Tennessee has a Youth Advisory Council that advocates for its foster youth (Oldmixon, 2007). Unfortunately, New Jersey—where this client resides—doesn’t have a specific Ombudsperson or program that is geared to advocate for state fostered youth: instead they are suggested to call the NJ Department of Children and Families 1800 hotline number. When making complaints the youth are supposed to be advocated for and treated justly. However, I had a different client who reported that calling the hotline is a hassle, because it takes to long for someone to take the report, which is problematic when residing in the group home setting. The youth usually avoids calling unless there are extreme cases. On a good note, NJ has grouped with the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency in order to provide the funding for transitional housing: that offers youth support while transitioning into adulthood. The referrals for the transitional housing is made through the state, and unfortunately, with the behavior like my clients, a referral will
Youth Transitioning out of the foster care system can be extremely overwhelmed with the thought of becoming independent, or with taking the necessary actions to become a responsible adult in the near future. The National Youth in Transition Database documented the outcomes of youth aged 17 through 21 years old. The NYTD database uses the data to compare and understand the experience of receiving care and after transitioning to a successfully independent individual (ACF, 2014). There were 6 outcomes that were considered when attempting to understand the life changes of the youth: financial self-sufficiency, connections with adults, homeless experiences, high risk outcomes, access to health insurance, and educational attainment …show more content…
So, if alerting the teachers supervisor, the group home supervisor, and the crisis center’s coordinator would not have helped reprimand the teacher for inappropriate and disrespectful behavior, then there would be an appointed contact by the state to step in and handle the complaint. The U.S. Ombudsman Association of 2003 made it possible for the appropriate party to receive and investigate complaints like this one. The state of California is extremely specific and has an office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson—Karen Grace-Kaho—who advocates specifically for children in foster care, and assures that youth who makes complaints will not experience vengeance (Oldmixon, 2007). This office educates the children and youth about their rights, and is only a call away, due to them having a telephone line geared to take complaints and help make referrals if necessary. Tennessee has a Youth Advisory Council that advocates for its foster youth (Oldmixon, 2007). Unfortunately, New Jersey—where this client resides—doesn’t have a specific Ombudsperson or program that is geared to advocate for state fostered youth: instead they are suggested to call the NJ Department of Children and Families 1800 hotline number. When making complaints the youth are supposed to be advocated for and treated justly. However, I had a different client who reported that calling the hotline is a hassle, because it takes to long for someone to take the report, which is problematic when residing in the group home setting. The youth usually avoids calling unless there are extreme cases. On a good note, NJ has grouped with the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency in order to provide the funding for transitional housing: that offers youth support while transitioning into adulthood. The referrals for the transitional housing is made through the state, and unfortunately, with the behavior like my clients, a referral will