What well cover - Introductions - Mine Field Activity - The MYTH - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

What we’ll cover

• Introductions
• Mine Field Activity
• The MYTH of Independent Living
• Permanence: What is it?
• Role of Supportive Adults
• The Permanency Pact
• All-Star Stories

About FosterClub

The national network of young people in foster care Built for youth, powered by youth, changing life in foster care.

Activity: Mine Field

• The ‘Walker’ is blindfolded
• The ‘Supporter’ will give verbal

instructions to the Walker about how to get through the mine field.

• If the Walker steps on a mine, they must

start over.

• Supporter must stay in the entry area of

the mine field.

Activity: Mine Field

DEBRIEF:

• Walkers — what part of the mine field

was easier to get through - the beginning or the end? WHY?

• Supporters — what made your job

difficult?

• Did the group that had the FOLLOW

ALONG rule have an advantage?

The MYTH of Independent Living

The Government’s definition

• It’s your legal case plan – determined by the

foster care agency and approved by the Courts

• Could include reunification, adoption, kinship

(relative) care, legal guardianship, or APPLA

• Do you know yours? You have the RIGHT to

know what it is! Ask!

Defining permanence

The YOUTH definition

• It’s about connections to Supportive

Adults

• People you trust to lead you through the

mine fields in life

• Having someone you can turn to for

advice and support — not just for now, but for a lifetime

Defining permanence

So… what IS the role of supportive adults?

What is a Permanency Pact?

A promise between a supportive adult and a young person about the kind of support the young person can turn to the adult for.

• Home for the holidays
• A place to do laundry
• Emergency place to stay
• Food/occasional meals
• Care package at college
• Employment opportunity
• Job search assistance
• Recreational activities
• Mentor
• Mental health support
• Relationship/ marriage advice
• Transportation
• Assistance with medical

appointments

• Storage
• Motivation
• Spiritual support
• Legal troubles
• Cultural experience
• More...

45 suggested supports

Provides you with a safety net you can count on. Having a defined and verbalized commitment ensures there won’t be misunderstanding - everyone is on the same page. Helps to educate supportive adults about why their role is so important to a youth transitioning from foster care.

Why get a Permanency Pact?

• The young person identifies the

supportive adult(s)

• Somebody they already know
• The adult must be willing to commit

to a long-term (or lifetime) role in the young person’s life

• The adult must be able to provide the

young person with specific, positive supports

Ground rules for a Permanency Pact

Who can help you?

Youth Supportive adult

facilitator

Right People = Right Roles

• You can have as many Permanency

Pacts as you would like!

• Could include biological relatives
• Remember YOUR ROLE in the

relationship?

All-Star stories

For more information, contact FosterClub: www.fosterclub.com 503-717-1552

Thank you