Connection House
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| One of the most serious and tragic situations in America's social service system today is that of emancipated foster youth----foster children who are deemed self-sufficient adults the day they turn 18 years of age. At that point in time, they can be turned out on the streets with few resources for survival. These children, who are the victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment, enter the system when the Department of Children's Services removes them from their families and places them in foster care. Though every effort is made to reunite the child with their parent(s) or a family member, many times reunification is not possible. For those children, the foster care system is the only family they have. The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 520,000 children are in foster care nationwide. California has more than 100,000 children in care. The system provides for the needs of these children until they reach 18 years (or older if they are in the last year of high school) of age. At that point, they are considered to have reached the age of majority and they age out or emancipate from the only support system they have known. The Orangewood Children's Foundation (OCF) estimates that 250 – 300 youth “age out” of the system annually in Sadly, foster care does not prepare most children to emancipate into self sufficiency and total independence. Child Trends published a study in 2002 that found only 48% of all emancipated youths had graduated from high school and therefore, they had poor prospects for any meaningful employment. Most need remediation, further education and/or vocational training if they are to become self-reliant adults. For these youth the coming of age can be very frightening and is often seen as an eviction. Indeed, it can be the beginning of a downward spiral into homelessness, welfare or incarceration. Transitional housing is a critical need for these youth. Transitional housing is "the" pivotal component for youth emancipating from care. With stable housing, youth have the opportunity to further their education/training and create secure lives for themselves. Indeed, the State of California affords all former foster youth this opportunity to continue their education. California law mandates that foster youth can attend any California Community College with a full tuition waiver and OCF supports the cost of books, labs, tools, etc. for former foster youth. The Community College Foundation (CCF) administers programs for emancipated youth on the campuses of forty-nine community colleges in California Yet, only 11% of foster care youth go on to college. Not only can youth attend college, the CCF has developed a specific curriculum with seven components for life skills training for former foster youth. Those who participate in CCF courses also have access to all the services offered on community college campuses, such as computer labs, libraries, recreational facilities, counseling, and the experience of being part of a college environment. Additionally, and notably, youth who have successfully completed their AA Degree and wish to complete a four year college degree, can obtain continuing support through the Orangewood Children's Foundation Guardian Scholars program. If academically qualified, they can attend UCI, CSUF or Chapman College with full housing, tuition, and other financial support. Why do so few take advantage of this opportunity? The high cost of housing is a major factor. An 18 year old youth, without any social or familial support, who must maintain their own household while attending school can easily feel overwhelmed. To many youth, it is perceived as a Herculean Task, beyond their capabilities. Connection House relieves youth of the burden of supporting a household and allows them to concentrate their time and energy on furthering their education. In addition to providing connections to specific programs, Connection House models real world situations at all possible times in order to foster the independence and life skills necessary for success when its residents leave the program. This is enhanced with links to the community wherein the young person's home is located such as participation in community organizations and events, and exposure to societal and cultural events they might not otherwise experience. Transitional housing - designed to connect emancipating youth to programs, community and ultimately society is imperative if we are going to create the opportunity for them to have a better quality of life and become productive citizens. Connection House is an effort to address a pivotal portion of the foster care system - the transition from child to adult. A young person at the doorway to adulthood needs not only a safe, secure and supervised home base, but also connections to the adult world. Connection House is that system of support providing a sense of community. |