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Foster Youth Resources and Opportunities
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 Foster teens will get more attention and more services under a new federal law. The "Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act" was signed in September, 2014 and will be implemented over the next two years. In honor of this new law and other changes affecting foster teens, we are updating our "know your rights" manual for teens. Download a copy of "In Your Best Interests" and let us know what you think. Where would you like to have more detail? Less? Include more stories or examples? We want to create the best possible guide for foster teens in Wisconsin. We will be providing more updates on the new federal law, as well as more resources for teens. Take a look at the employment opportunities below. Keep those suggestions coming! Sue Susan Conwell Executive Director |
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Helping Foster Kids Succeed:
State Strategies for Saving Lives and Money
The 2015 Family Impact Seminar covered supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood.The Kids Matter team heard great new research presented by Mark Courtney, Professor at the University of Chicago. Young adult foster care alumni also shared their experiences of aging out of foster care. ____________________________________________________________
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 In Your Best Interest: A Teen's Guide to the Child Welfare System in Wisconsin is a legal guide that helps youth navigate their way through the foster care system in Wisconsin. This guide explains the function of child protective services, introduces the people involved from social workers to lawyers and judges, describes permanency plan options and foster youth rights. The guide includes an introduction to going to court, as well as questions that a judge might ask during court. Please share this guide! You can help us make it better with your comments. More detail? Less? Would personal stories help? Or just stick to the facts? Let us know what you think at a[email protected]. ____________________________________________________________
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All-Star Application
The FosterClub All-Star program was founded on the belief that youth who have successfully transitioned from foster care to responsible young adulthood are best suited to impact the transition of their younger peers. Young leaders between the ages of 18-24 who are interested in leveraging their own experience to improve the foster care system are encouraged to apply for this seven-week summer internship. Travel is included, as well as a weekly stipend and an end-of-session stipend of $1500 for each All-Star. To learn more about this opportunity visit FosterClub website. Click here for the application due February 20,2015.
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Employment Opportunities for
Youth and Young Adults
Do you know a teen who is looking for a summer job?
Mayor Barrett's Earn and Learn Program aims to help youth ages 14-21 "make a successful transition from adolescence to adulthood by providing opportunities to develop work-readiness skills while they earn wages working in government, community- and faith-based organizations and private sector businesses." There are three different programs, and each program has special requirements.
City Summer Youth Internship Program requirements are:
- 16-19 years old by June 1,2015
- Committed to work from June 19 to August 14,2015
- Limited to 20 hours a week
- Must live in targeted area click here to see if you are in the area.
- Application available now only online and due April 2, 2015. To apply click here.
Community Work Experience Program requirements are: - At least 14-21 years old at the time of enrollment
- Must live in Milwaukee County
- Application available late March online
- Youth must be available from July 1 to August 14, 2015
- Limited to 20 hours a week
Private Sector Job Connection requirements are:
- Previous work experience
- Must be at least 18 yrs or older
- Must live in Milwaukee County
- Must have an updated resume
- 20- 40 hours a week; positions vary
- Application available now only online.To apply click here.
Please encourage youth interested in any of the three Earn & Learn programs to apply as early as possible. Youth may apply to more than one program, but once a job is accepted, the application for the other programs will be void.
Transform Milwaukee
The Transform Milwaukee Jobs Foster Care program was created in the Department of Children and Families(DCF) as a transitional jobs program to assist low-income adults in Milwaukee County transition into stable unsubsidized employment. The purpose of this program to enhance employment opportunities for people who have difficulty entering and succeeding in work. To be eligible you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 to 21.50 years of age in out-of-home care including foster care, kinship care, independent living facilities, residential care centers, group homes or other placement options under CHIPS orders;
- Or, be 18 to 21.50 years of age, aging out of foster care and transitioning to independent living; and be a current resident of Milwaukee County.
- Must have been unemployed for the last four (4) consecutive calendar weeks prior to enrollment.
- Proof of an annual household income that is less than 150% of the federal poverty guideline for the household size.
- Cannot be receiving W2 benefits and not eligible to receive Unemployment Insurance Compensation.
- Proof of Milwaukee County residency.
For more information click here.
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Upcoming Events
Human Trafficking in Milwaukee: A Presentation by Dana World-Patterson
Date: February 24,2015
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Location : Kids Matter office
Sponsored by: Rotaract "Rotary in Action"
Rotary in Action member and Kids Matter volunteer Jennifer Hays is bringing Dana World-Patterson of the Greater Milwaukee Human Trafficking Task Force to discuss human trafficking and the impact it is having on Milwaukee. Dana will discuss the work that the Task Force is doing to fight trafficking and prevent more people in our community from becoming victims. There will be an opportunity to ask questions in a Q&A session after the presentation. All are welcome.
Marquette Law School will be holding a conference open to the public on March 19 and 20, 2015. To learn more click here .
Resources
Resilience in Foster Youth
Click here to read a wonderful article that shares stories of foster youth alumni and their determination to succeed. The Storybook Project
A resource that showcases stories from foster youth alumni, Click here.
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Yes, You Can Go to College:
Making Higher Education
Happen for Youth in Care
This resource highlights policy and practice changes to help foster youth pursue higher education. Click here.
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Understanding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA): Determining Student Independent Status
A great resource to answer questions for youth and young adults determining their status for FAFSA. Click here.
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Foster Care to 21: Doing it Right
This article shares best practices for providing extended foster care. It covers the pros and cons of remaining under care til 21. Click here. |
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Extending Foster Care Beyond 18: Improving Outcomes for Older Youth
What are the issues around extending foster care beyond the age of 18? What is the impact of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008? Click here. |
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Extending Foster Care to Age 21: Weighing the Cost to Government against the Benefits to Youth
The potential cost to the government and benefits for youth by extending the foster care age to 21. The article focuses on post secondary education attainment associated with allowing foster youth to remain in care until they are 21 years old.
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Flux
This book written by more than 100 adult alumni of foster care is honest, useful and "juicy." Flux looks at what it really means to become an adult after growing up in the system. This and many other great resources are available online at Foster Care Alumni of America. Copies are also available at Kids Matter.
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It's Your Life
Opening Doors: Improving the Legal System's Approach to LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care
A resource from the ABA Center on Children and the Law focuses on the rights of LGBTQ youth. Click here. Copies available at Kids Matter.
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It's Your Life
Opening Doors: Improving the Legal System's Approach to LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care
A resource from the ABA Center on Children and the Law focuses on the rights of LGBTQ youth. Click here. Copies available at Kids Matter.
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Touchpoints: Preparing Children for Transitions. Third edition
This guide emphasizes the need to provide children in the child welfare system with honest information throughout the permanency process. This is a great resource for CASA volunteers, relative caregivers and foster parents. This document is filled with a variety of activities and discussion points to have with children and youth throughout the permanency process. Click here .
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Cinderella Project MKE 2015
Mark your calendars! April 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. and April 4 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. will be the 2015 Cinderella Project Prom Dress Giveaway! If interested in donating a dress or know of someone in need of a prom dress and Cinderella experience, please visit their Cinderella Project MKE for more information & to sign up. Bella met Miss Wisconsin during her Cinderella experience. Above: Bella at the Cinderella Project, Bella at Prom.
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 Inspiring Words from a Foster Care Alumni
Greta Munns was the foster alumni graduation speaker for the 2014 reception at the Governor's Residence. Greta's speech moved and inspired Kids Matter youth and volunteers so much that they tracked Greta down and begged her to share her message. Thank you so much Greta Munns for sharing your inspiring, honest, challenging and humorous message! Her speech is available for you to read on our website. Information on the 2015 foster alumni graduation at the Governor's Residence coming soon! |
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