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"We want to focus attention on the needs of older kids who remain in foster care and the young adults who have just 'aged out' of foster care and don't have the support and stability of a permanent family...The issues challenging these young people have come to my attention through my efforts on foster care and adoption over the last 12 years."
"Moving the Finish Line," was the theme for the 2009 Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Fall Convening, November 16-18 in San Antonio, Texas. Initiative site leaders, child welfare administrators, policymakers and Opportunity Passport™ participants attended this 3–day conference, focused on implementing the Fostering to Success Act.
Among the most daunting challenges that the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative local sites face in taking their work statewide is creating partnerships to improve outcomes for young people transitioning from foster care. Nationwide, there are approximately 24,000 young people who are about to leave or have already left, foster care.
Passion Ray, 21, distinguished herself from the thousands of other young adults who began college this September when she showed up for her first day of classes with a very special guest: state Senator Thelma Harper, D-Nashville, whose support enabled Ray to enroll at Nashville State Community College (NSCC).
The Rhode Island Foster Parents Association (RIFPA) and federal and state leaders recently announced that a new $2 million federal grant will support RIFPA and nine partner agencies in efforts to establish permanent homes for the area's youth in foster care. The grant from the Children's Bureau will help fund efforts over three years.
- Rhode Island receives United Way Grant Award
- Indiana Site Creates Resource Center for Youth Leaving Foster Care (PDF)
- Maine Site Takes New Approach to Collaboration in York County (PDF)
- Stanley Stewart selected as the Initiative's 2009 Rama Ramanathan Leadership Award Recipient (PDF)
- Read the Initiative's E-Update >>
Special Topics
Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative Publications
The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative offers a range of publications to disseminate information about youth transitioning from foster care. We have listed key documents that discuss various aspects of our work.
We will continue to update this section of our website with publications as they become available.
Learn more >>
Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative Fall Convening 2009
The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative held its Fall Convening November 16-18, 2009 in San Antonio, TX. Participants from Jim Casey sites included site leaders, state child welfare administrators, Initiative consultants, staff, co-investment partners, Opportunity Passport™ participants, and other constituents.
Click here to see materials and information from the Convening >>
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