Youth Development

Engagement and empowerment of youth in foster care can have powerful positive results for young people seeking permanency. Working toward legal permanency (i.e., reunification, adoption, or kinship care) and relational permanency (i.e., a relationship or connection with a caring adult) for older youth is an important goal for child welfare agencies (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2019). 

The Children's Bureau challenges child welfare communities to engage with youth and listen to their voices about what family means to them and why it matters. Read this article to learn how to empower youth to share their voices.

Research shows that storytelling (when paired with data) is a powerful tool for changing beliefs and behavior, because a compelling story engages the viewer through imagery, engages audience emotions, and brings the theme into focus. Read this article to learn more.

As youth in care begin to develop their own sense of self and independence, caseworkers may experience difficulties engaging them to participate in their case plans or helping them realize the impacts their decisions may have on their long-term future. This podcast, 'Engaging Youth in Foster Care', gives caseworkers the perspective of a former youth in foster care.

Homeless and at-risk youth are likely to be eligible for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (often referred to as the ACA). The ACA vastly simplifies and expands access to affordable health care, including for low-income and homeless youth, and allows states to expand eligibility for Medicaid, a health care program for low-income individuals.

The Department of Health and Human Services funds programs to support pregnant and parenting youth and pregnancy prevention efforts with youth in out-of-home care.   These programs share many goals and are uniquely positioned to work together to impact outcomes for youth who are pregnant or parenting while in out-of-home care.

The Department of Health and Human Services funds programs to support pregnant and parenting youth and pregnancy prevention efforts with youth in out-of-home care.  Learn about the foster care program for successful transition to adulthood.

It is important for child welfare agencies to develop authentic partnerships with lived experts and collaborate with them at all levels of agency work to develop timely and relevant community services for children, youth, and families. 

Mental and behavioral health support doesn’t just mean clinical therapy; it comes in many different forms. Trauma-responsive care, support from caring adults who can provide life-long guidance, relationships with peers, and normative experiences during adolescence can help to mitigate earlier trauma and build a sense of belonging and security.