YOUTH VOICES: WHY FAMILY MATTERS
Older youth wait longer to be adopted than younger children, but having a family is just as important for them. Older youth in foster care deserve permanency. Feeling connected and having a sense of belonging are fundamental human needs. Additionally, being part of a stable and committed family can help the healing process for young people who have experienced separation and loss. While older youth might initially be resistant to the idea of permanence, it is vital that professionals continue to talk to them about what family means and how positive relationships will benefit them even into adulthood. Youth have ideas about what they want and need for their life and likely have questions and concerns they must discuss in order to move forward.
Use the resources below to engage youth in their own case planning as a means of preparing them for permanency.
Belonging Matters - Helping Youth Explore Permanence
Strategies for Authentic Integration of Family and Youth Voice in Child Welfare
Remember to complete your continuing education credit report for each training you complete. This will help to ensure that you are receiving credit for any training hours completed and that those hours are applied to your required 12 hours per year of in-service training.
Explore more articles on working with older youth here.
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