Young Adult, Formerly in Congregate Care: Treat Me Like a Normal Child

Brandon is a 21-year-old alumnus of the foster care system. He was in the foster care system for about 10 years and serves as a foster care advocate, working in State government for the last 3 years. He feels that normal activities for all youth in foster care should include getting a driver’s license, going on out-of-State and overnight trips, and participating in sports.

Publication year: 2016
Author:
Capacity Building Center for States

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Description

Brandon is a 21-year-old alumnus of the foster care system. He was in the foster care system for about 10 years and serves as a foster care advocate, working in State government for the last 3 years. He feels that normal activities for all youth in foster care should include getting a driver’s license, going on out-of-State and overnight trips, and participating in sports.

Questions to Promote Discussion

  • How can congregate care settings promote normalcy?
  • What opportunities can congregate care settings provide to prepare young people for adulthood?
  • What supports do congregate care settings provide to promote lifelong connections?
  • Brandon talks a lot about well-being—why is this important?
  • What could the system have done differently to provide Brandon with a different experience?

Print these materials for use in your next training.

Treat Me Like a Normal Child

About Normalcy and the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard