Blueprint Conference Keynote Speakers Announced

JBAY will be hosting the Blueprint for Success Conference on Monday, October 3^rd and Tuesday, October 4^th to bring together professionals to learn about strategies for supporting foster youth to achieve their higher education goals from both experts in the field and one another. The event will feature a robust lineup of speakers for plenary sessions across the two days. The conference will kick off on Monday with an interactive and inspiring opening session led by Arise Energy, focused on celebration and supporting well-being. Monday afternoon will feature Hasan Davis, author, former Kentucky Commissioner of Juvenile Justice, and self-described “Hope Dealer.”

David Ambroz, a longtime child welfare advocate and author of a new memoir, A Place Called Home, which chronicles his experience in the foster care system, will launch the day on Tuesday. The closing session on Tuesday afternoon will begin with an address from Dr. Daisy Gonzales, a former foster youth and current Deputy Chancellor for the California Community College System, followed by Arise Energy who will lead a music-based closing that promises to leave participants feeling energized, motivated, and rejuvenated in their work. For details and to register to attend, click here.

Webinar to Address Identity Theft Among Foster Youth

On Wednesday, September 21^st at 10:00 a.m., the Alliance for Children’s Rights will host a webinar highlighting the impact of identity theft among foster youth, entitled “Protecting the Financial Future of Foster Youth – An Advocate’s Guide to Addressing Foster Youth Identity Theft.”

The webinar will provide an overview of the legal framework for system-involved youth to receive assistance in obtaining credit reports and seek remediation if they experience identity theft. The Alliance will detail models for addressing identity theft among foster youth, including the model established by the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley in Santa Clara County. Register for the webinar here. 

Youth Resource Workgroup Launches to Assist Providers Needing Support with Youth in Their Care

The Catalyst Center in partnership with the California Department of Social Services has launched the Youth Resource Workgroup to assist with challenges related to foster care placement. Providers, social workers, probation officers, caretakers, families or others supporting young people can make an appointment for individual consultation about youth in their care who need extra support, or regarding challenges with identifying placement. Appointments are available via Zoom on Mondays at 2:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m.

The workgroup will assist with addressing commonality of needs during placement referral; programmatic, clinical, medical, and funding resources to keep youth in placement; identifying additional placement options, and facilitating discussions with county agencies and/or state departments. Appointments are facilitated by a licensed practitioner and include subject matter experts. For more information or to make an appointment, e-mail youth@catalyst-center.org.

Upcoming Webinars, Trainings, and Events

• Learn How Six Counties Boosted Transitional-Age Foster Youth Income Through Tax Filing

• Transitional Housing for Former Foster Youth: Expansion & Recent Policy Changes

• 2022 California Alliance Winter Conference

• Blueprint for Success Conference

LEARN MORE

ABOUT JBAY