I have always been told that there is safety in numbers.  Whether taking a late night bus ride, going to a night club or simply taking a tour of a new city the mantra is still the same – it’s safer to be a part of a group.  Does this still ring true when we consider the youth in the foster care system in our country?  The numbers of children and youth in foster care in the United States has been steadily on the incline.  Let’s take a look.

The Foster Care Numbers

According to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) FY 10 data October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010, there were 408,425 children in foster care on September 30, 2010.  Four hundred eight thousand, four hundred and twenty five children and youth ages 0 to 20 years were in foster care last September.  The largest percentage (8%) was age 17.

Where were these children living?

What does “A Teen’s Life Is Worth Documenting” mean to you?

For a child in the foster care system it probably means those words that are written about them in their personal file.  You know the file that precedes them at every meeting, placement, and court hearing.  The file that attempts to explain the reason they entered foster care, the length of time in the system, the changes in schools, the number of foster placements, health concerns, and any mental health screenings and diagnoses. The file containing this documentation is extremely important right? Essential even?!

I’m not speaking of the file that documents the thoughts and judgments of countless social workers, lawyers, doctors, and educators and barely contains the views of the youth in foster care. The accomplishments, aspirations, and support systems in a teen’s life are worth documenting.  Every teen is unique and full of promise and potential.  My teens document their lives in a professional portfolio — a visual tool that gives employers, recruiters, scouts, and mentors a complete picture of who you are.  I believe that a professional portfolio can be an integral element not only in building skills and confidence in youth but also in helping them develop and maintain crucial personal and professional connections.

Many of us we are skilled in a variety of areas.  Our culture has taught us to multi-task like our lives depend on it (often times it does).  Throughout my career and definitely as an entrepreneur I have felt like a jack of all trades and a master of none on many occasions.  I have helped clients with housing, food, medical assistance, and clothing.  I have played the role of “work mom”, chauffer, parenting coach, stylist, and teacher.  Some days I have worn the hat of scholarship consultant, academic advisor, counselor, tour guide, and career coach.  I am truly a “do what needs to be done” kind of lady.  In fact, two of my most used phrases are “get it done” and “keep it moving”.  That’s good right?  Well, usually it is.

A few years ago I had begun to run on “auto pilot” for a couple months.   At times I would do a presentation or workshop simply because I had the knowledge or because I was asked.   I was forced to be honest with myself and take a look at how I was spending my time.  I realized that busy doesn’t always equate to productive.  I needed to make some changes.

When you visit a kindergarten classroom what do you see?  You see student’s work all over the walls.  When you enter a dentist’s office you generally find a variety of magazines and pictures of healthy mouths. When you walk into a teen health clinic you expect to see pamphlets and brochures related to health issues like STD prevention. The first time I entered a particular suburban high school, I was struck by the pictures of past students in caps and gowns on their graduation day.  The photo gallery began at the entrance of the main office and continued down the main hallway and the hallway leading to the guidance office.  The ultimate goal of each of these four locations is evident as soon as you enter.

What greets your youth when they enter your work area?  Whether your title is Child Welfare Worker, Foster Care Case Worker, or Investigator, you are working with youth who have been abused and/or neglected.  They may come to you harnessing anger, fear, or disappointment.  I ask that you go beyond cleanliness and order and make your space as inviting, encouraging, motivating, and inspiring as possible.  Don’t just display rules and consequences.  Sometimes it is the things that aren’t said that helps build trust and opens the door for honest communication later on.

Many people are compelled to donate gifts to children and youth in foster care during the Christmas holiday season (myself included).  After the Christmas gifts are barely opened we shift our focus to how we will usher in a new year.  A new year exemplifies a new chance to start fresh, another opportunity to change our lives for the better.  People around the world make their lists of New Year’s resolutions.  New Year’s resolutions are goals, projects, or kicking of habits that a person commits to in anticipation of a new year.  Most people plan to stay committed to their New Year’s resolutions for at least the entire year but roughly 4 out of 5 people break their New Year’s resolutions, however.

In our work world, evidence-based practice and evidence-based research are King.  Objectives, outcomes, and goals are commonplace.  In my supervisory role I stress that we have to have proof that we are doing really works.  I am a huge proponent of civic engagement and so as I was thinking about the upcoming Dr. Martin Luther King Day and the Youth Service America kick off a semester of service I decided to go a bit further and hit the internet to provide you with documentation that supports what I’ve seen in my experience and know in my heart is an effective aspect of youth development.

January is National Mentoring Month.  For many young people great role models and mentors are a part of their everyday lives. Relatives, teachers, and neighbors often serve in that role. Finding positive role models for youth in the foster care system is often more difficult.  Luckily, role models and mentors don’t always have to be people that we know personally.  There is something we can learn from everyone that we meet and every situation we encounter…positive or negative.