Get documents about "YIT 2009 Summit Report _2_
Document Sample
2009
+
Youth in Transition Summit Report
Facilitated and Report by
Amanda Metivier
November 2009
Event Sponsored by, The Alaska Mental Health Trust
Authority, Alaska Mental Health Board Advisory Board on
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Family Voice, and Hosted by Facing
Foster Care in Alaska
Table of Contents
Location……………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Purpose………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Attendance…………………………………………………………………………. 3-4
November 6th, 2009 (Friday)………………………………………………………….5
Weekend Overview and Introductions………………………………………..5
Rules and opening activities…………………………………………………...6
Dreaming Session………………………………………………………………7
November 7th, 2009 (Saturday)
Identifying Issues (Transition Domains)…………………………………..9-13
Global Charter Document: Core Values and Guiding Principles……13- 15
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………….16
______________________________________________________2
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
Location: Holy Spirit Retreat Center 10980 Hillside Dr. Anchorage, AK
Sponsored by: The Alaska Mental Health trust Authority, Alaska Mental Health
Board
Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse/Family Voice, Facing Foster Care
in Alaska
Purpose: The Youth in Transition Summit was organized with the purpose of
gathering feedback from Transition Aged Youth and young adults (TAY) about a
framework for services that would be ideal for young people to access as they
transition from various systems such as; Mental Health, Foster Care, Residential,
Substance Abuse, Juvenile Justice, and Homelessness.
14 youth and young adults with experience in these systems attended a day and
a half Youth Summit on November 6th-7th, 2009 to share their expertise.
Overall Experience with Region Age Referrals
Youth
Attendance
Britney Foster Care Anchorage 20 Referred by AYPF,
Pickens AYFN, FFCA
Shawn ? Anchorage 18 Referred by AYPF
Rittiminer (Fri.
only)
Brittany Treatment Foster Originally 18 Referred by FFCA,
Buzzard Care (ACS/OCS) from ACS
Residential Northern,
but lives in
Anchorage
Amber Foster Care Craig 16 Referred by OCS
Woodard (OCS) DJJ, Alaska
Residential
Bobby OCS, DJJ, Out- Anchorage 18 Referred by FFCA,
Wassillie of-state Covenant House, OCS
Residential, Out-
patient substance
abuse and mental
health,
homelessness
Courtney Treatment Foster Anchorage 21 FFCA Intern/member
Morrison Care (OCS/ACS)
Residential
______________________________________________________3
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
Saul Henning Treatment Foster Anchorage 18 Referred by ACS
(Sat. Only) Care (OCS/ACS),
Out-of-State
Residential, Out-
patient mental
health
Steve Smith Treatment Foster Eagle River 16 Referred by ACS
(Fri. only) Care?
Amber Treatment Foster Anchorage 18 Referred by AYFN,
Denton Care (OCS/ACS), ACS, FFCA
DJJ, Out-of-State
Residential, Out-
patient mental
health,
Malachi “Kai” Foster Care, DJJ Palmer 17 Referred by AYFN
Ballard (Youth Court
Volunteer), Out-
patient Mental
Health/Substance
Abuse
Alexandria Foster Care, DJJ Palmer 15 Referred by AYFN
Romano (Youth Court
Volunteer)
Christina ? Anchorage ? Referred by AYFN
Rasmussen
Creek Foster Care, Out- Palmer 15 Referred by FFCA,
Theodore of-State AYFN, OCS
Residential
Rebecca Foster Care, in- Anchorage 18 Referred by FFCA
Shier (Sat. State Residential,
Only Homelessness
Adult Supporter Agency Region
Amanda Metivier FFCA Anchorage
(Facilitator)
Rebecca Busch State Juneau
Fran Purdy AYFN Anchorage
Will Fomai AYFN Anchorage
Forrest Anderson Foster Parent Craig
Jennifer O’neal ACS Anchorage
Jake ACS Anchorage
Paul Cornils AYFN Anchorage
______________________________________________________4
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
November 6th, 2009 (Friday)
Attendees: Courtney, Fherron, Amber W., Amber D., Christina, Steve, Bobby,
Kai, Alex, Shawn, Creek, Brittany B., & Britney P.
Adult Supporters: Amanda, Rebecca, Jennifer, Will, & Fran
* Due to an evening group, not all attendees were present for the entire Friday
evening.
Weekend Overview and Introductions
As youth participants arrived they were greeted and invited to join an activity to
get to know one another. To Kick-Off the Summit youth were able to help
determine the rules and review the agenda. The Agenda is below.
Objectives
Friday Through interactive activities and
1:00 Arrive at Site structured free time, participants will
2:00 Welcome and Intros strengthen relationships and learn
2:30 Retreat Center Rules & Expectations methods of working together
3:00 Agenda Overview and Purpose
3:30 Icebreakers Youth will gain a collective
4:00 Recognizing our Expertise understanding of the importance of
5:00 Dreaming Session their voice and feedback based on
6:00 Dinner personal experience
7:00 Wrap-up & Free Time
As a group, participants will share
Saturday personal experiences and issues
8:30 Breakfast faced by Youth in Transition
9:30 Morning Welcome and Energizer
9:45 Charter Doc. Overview Youth will reflect on issues identified
10:00 addressing issues of youth in transition and brainstorm solutions to developing
12:00 Photo-shoot (Cancelled) a framework for services
12:45 Lunch
2:00 Identifying Solutions Youth will provide structured feedback
3:00 Guiding Principles/Framework for Services that will be compiled and implemented
4:00 Wrap-Up & Goodbyes into the TAY Charter Document
3:15 Core Principles and Guiding Values-Input
4:00 Wrap-up and Goodbyes
As an introductory Activity participants were asked to go around
and say their name, age, where they were from, and what their
dream job would be.
______________________________________________________5
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
After Introductions Participants went over the rules and allowed for youth to add
change rules as they wished. All participants were asked to sign the flipchart
outlining the rules in addition to signing a contract prior to attending the Summit
to ensure appropriate behavior throughout the event. The outlined Summit Rules
are below.
RULES
Respect each other and retreat
center
No drugs, alcohol, sex, going into
buildings of the opposite sex, going
into the woods, electronics during
session
Grab from the suggestion box if
cell phones go off during session
Be on time
Participate
Have Fun!
Participants decided that if someone’s phone rang during meeting time that
person had to grab from the suggestion box. The suggestion box contained
actions that had to be played out like singing, or acting. Participants later agreed
to add this same rule if someone used foul language.
The first two hours of the evening were dedicated to Icebreaker activities that
allowed participants to get to know one another and covered the Summit rules.
Some of the activities included; The Dice Game, Personal Dominoes, and a
group culture activity.
______________________________________________________6
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
Dreaming Session
Friday evening participants were engaged in a Dreaming Session to identify what
they need/needed to successfully transition to adulthood from various systems of
care. Participants broke into small groups and answered the question, “What is
the ideal system-Transportation, Housing, Substance Abuse Treatment,
Counseling, Ect.?”
The following are feedback from the breakout sessions and goals of the activity.
Goals
Participants will begin to
think about issues faced by
Feedback transition aged youth
From Participants will begin to
reflect on their personal
Youth experiences
Participants will begin to
feel comfortable working in
small groups
Money Job Life Skills
Help with Kids Knowing how to
schoolwork Big House make an
Compassion Big Truck appointment
Marriage/Relatio Support Planning for the
nship Help filling out day
Time the right Cleaning Skills
Management paperwork Good Guidance
Skills Good work ethic License and Car
Support Group Degree Money
Higher Goals Support/Love
Education State ID, SS College
Believe in Card, Birth Grants and
Yourself Certificate Scholarships
Knowing Appropriate
resources Clothes
Having a back- Communication
up plan Skills
______________________________________________________7
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
Below is the feedback from the group of Adult supporters
Finances, and
show me how
to use credit
cards
Life Skills
Basic Manners
Laundry Drivers’
License
Cooking
Mentor
Resumes (someone to
check in
College with)
Applications
How to be a Slush Fund
Job successful YIT
Applications Guidance
Planning
Highs and
School Support lows of life Safe Place
Communication to party
Figure out
Group how to get out Having
of the funk places to
Internet Q &A’s
about life go
Knowing what
will happen Fall back
Interactive if…
Tools
Birth
Tech Support certificate
for life
Paperwork
______________________________________________________8
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
November 7th, 2009 (Saturday)
The last day was started with Breakfast, morning welcome, and an energizer.
The focus of the last day was gathering input for the charter document.
Identifying Issues
Participants broke out into small groups and identified barriers and issues to
transitioning out of different systems to independence. Participants were give
topics from the Transition Domains in the Transition Age Youth Draft Charter
Document. Below are the responses from participants.
Transition Domain: Employment and Career
Not enough experience Being able to try certain jobs
Lack of support Realistic schedules
Stigma of at-risk youth Thought to be too young
Child care Not high enough pay
Education Negative work history
Transportation Criminal record
Stability/shelter Buying appropriate clothes
No opportunities No money for medication
Guardian doesn’t want to you to have a job Social security limits/choices
Quitting school to support family Finding career vs. dead end job
Obtaining work permit Establishing career path-knowing what you want
Getting laid off to do
Not learning work ethic Realizing your past limits your choices
Not learning the right manners Help to fill out paperwork (resume, job apps, ect.)
Job exploration Lack of supported employment
Knowing what certain jobs are Cost of living
How to look for a job Employee rights
Knowing how to present yourself to an employer
Transition Domain: Educational Opportunities
Technology gap/familiarity
Not getting good grades, but with technology
being smart enough, Clear thinking after substance
accommodations abuse
Living money while in college Change of placement
Realizing you have a higher meaning change of school
education Time out of school for
Self confidence meetings
Lack of education on our own
______________________________________________________9
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
Negativity of staff in More flexible with
everything correspondence
Meds-side effects Tutoring night & weekend
Stereotypes-always classes
Educate the staff Documents-meds, trans, legal
College benefit for the youth Resources/support
in care Being expelled from school
Can not take away my Not committed to completing
education school-getting even more
More education=more money behind
Educate everyone Boring
Youth tutoring youth Paying for college
Transportation Being targeted at school
Student loans Knowing the steps to apply for
Picking up your grades college
Permission slips Stigma that you will drop out
Credit count Choosing the wrong classes
Out of treatment( behind Competiveness of
credits) scholarships and grants
Guardian not agreeing with Support: someone has
alternatives interest in you going to
school.
Transition Domain: Living Situation
Structure-no structure Moochers and depending on
Moving from structured daily others
to our own schedule Time management-obligations
Adjust to new “family” rules, vs. free time
values, beliefs knowing resources to pay
Not enough money- deposits, bills, lack of credit history
rent, furniture, washer/dryer,
cooking supplies
______________________________________________________10
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
Knowledge of lease Who to call when there is
agreement, safety /legal something wrong w/where
issues you live-Ex: Leaks
Insurance- car, health Not having support where you
Cleanliness/hygiene live
Upkeep, repairs Budgeting, priorities, being
Support able to feel safe
Employment Knowing your resources and
Food everything
Roommates, homelessness Peer services
Planning where to live after Support and being supported
exiting the system Knowing and having a back
No back up plan up planned
Rental references or bad Knowing who your friends are
references Being responsible and
Basic supplies, dishes, bed, respectful
furniture, towels, chairs Knowing credit and banking
Abusive living situation stats
Neglected-not getting along Just knowing
with roommates
Living at high risk places-only
option
Transition Domain: Personal Effectiveness and Well-Being
Case Worker change Missing life experiences
Disconnection with family Disjointed family relations
Making new friends Feeling like you fit in
New location Realize what you are looking
Long distance relationships for in healthy relationships
Getting to know knew people Finding yourself
Losing friends is upsetting
______________________________________________________11
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
Figuring out your support Knowing when to regroup
group Knowing to problem solve
Figuring out your spirituality & Age-out-no support no mentor
religion No caseworker
Peer support Lack of peer provided
Knowing who is good for you services
Knowing unhealthy Identify permanent personal
relationships relationships
Being healthy-mentally and Relationships dictated by
physically guardianship
Knowing when to be alone History, pictures ,memories
and how to be alone Connecting with personal
Respect /family & cultural history
Stereotypes Learning who/how to trust
Knowing how to put yourself Relationships are more than
first sex-process of figuring it out &
Knowing how to care for teen pregnancy
others second
Knowing how to handle
relationships
Having boundaries-knowing
when to stop
Transition Domain: Community Life Functioning
Education (Not learning skills Housing
to find jobs) Transportation
Treatment centers Support (losing the services)
Fatty food Being alone
Not involved-IEP Not having a job
______________________________________________________12
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
Opp. While in programs Career options/learning what
Social skills jobs are out there for you
Cooking/shopping Losing real
Parenting classes connections/friendships
Finances School/graduation
No freedom to try practicing requirements
life skills Dealing with roommates
No into to lifestyle Taking the time to show your
How to lease and rent life skills
apartment Filling out paperwork
Healthy activities Having own legal documents
Budgeting Making medical
Limited resources appointments/when/how
Not knowing your culture Leaving voicemail
Sex education Time management
Hygiene Time and Money
No guidance Worrying about making the
Not being able to have the wrong choice and getting
right time and people to talk to ripped off
Having a localized resource Categorization due to
Getting health insurance diagnosis assumptions
Being awake when needed Being to old for programs
Being/learning independence
Core Values and Guiding Principles
All participants had the opportunity to provide input into the 7 Core Values and
Guiding Principles of the Global Charter Document of the Framework for
Services for Transition Age Youth. The input from participants is from below.
I. Kids belong in their homes
______________________________________________________13
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
A. Maintain/develop natural, community-based supports as much as
possible.
B. Offer training and educational opportunities in the least restrictive
environment.
Where do youth belong?
A safe place
In decisions
In home/a home
Family or home of choice
w/people who care
school
offer family, education training support to be able to stay in home
Residential Treatment based on needs, goals, desires
Training should be offered when a youth wants to stay with the family
Different for each youth
Youth should be willing to participate in Treatment
II. Strengthen Families First
Keeping Families Strong
Family roles/responsibilities are clear
Respect for the young person
Allowing families and youth community and peer support
Communication skills
Financial support
Siblings together (contact)
Families together
Food/shelter
Respect everyone’s wishes
Flexibility-close friends/family
Relationships-teacher, tutor, involving community, peers
Youths choice of support
Respect youths wishes
Make sure youth feels comfortable with plan
Youth present their own plan with support
Youth Chooses options presented
Informing youth about rights and legal restrictions
Peer support
III. Families and Youth are Equal Partners
Family and Youth are equal partners
Ensure/prepare
Realistic timelines temporary plans
Participation in planning and decision making
______________________________________________________14
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
Youth and family values, strengths, culture& interest drive activities
Focus on strengths and unique needs for each youth
Include members of household or who youth identifies as family
IIII. Respect Individual, Family and Community Values
Respect
Culture, ethnic, spiritual, and religious values, needs, sexual orientation in
service planning and delivery.
Support exploration of all of the above without denial/impose
Respect youth morals
Respect the youth (Ex: Hair Grease)
Respect who the youth wants/doesn’t want as a support system
Respect and follow through with all of the above for youth
V. Normalize the situation
Support and build healthy relationships
Consistency with supports and relationships
Vi. Help is accessible
Help is available when the youth needs it
An array of appropriate appealing services and supports are available
Working together in support of youths plan/common goal
Create affective systems to communicate
Keep communication open to reduce redundancy
VII. Consumers are Satisfied and collaborative meaningful outcomes are
achieved
Youth and Families are satisfied and collaborative meaningful outcomes
are achieved
Placements are stable through ongoing evaluation
Ensure youth and families satisfaction-self sufficient
Promote a youth and family informed system
Developing a baseline-informed by youth success
Promote youth advisory boards.
Conclusion
Overall, the Youth in Transition Summit was a Success. Youth participants had
an opportunity to bond in a safe environment and reflect on personal
experiences. It was apparent that youth felt comfortable as they supported one
another, and respected each others opinions and differences. The atmosphere
______________________________________________________15
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
was driven by youth as they listened to music, showed their personal style and
creativity, and had fun!
Next Steps
A revised version of the Transition Age Youth Charter Document will be sent to
participants for final review. 2-3 youth who participated in the Summit will travel
to Juneau to present this information to policymakers and visit individually with
state legislators.
______________________________________________________16
2009 Youth in Transition Summit
Facilitated and reported by Amanda Metivier
