Youth Employment Opportunity Program (YEOP

Need a JOB??? Get help from some pro's landing a great job. Don't pass this up!





http://www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/Services_for_Youth.htm

VSP is now hiring Seasonal Production Workers & Part-time Mail Openers

VSP is now hiring Seasonal Production Workers & Part-time Mail Openers Envision your future with a VSP Global company. Employees of VSP Global companies enjoy exceptional benefits, competitive compensation, and robust training and development programs. Minimum Qualifications: · Minimum one year experience in a production/manufacturing environment · Experience working in a fast-paced environment · Ability to meet standards for productivity and quality · Must pass a drug test · Ability to perform physical activities requiring bending kneeling and pulling/pushing · Ability to understand and follow procedures · Ability to lift up to 30 pounds · Ability to walk or stand up to 100% of the time April 1, 2013 Presentation begins at 10:00am Bring a resume. 3725 Marysville Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95838 R.S.V.P. (916) 286-8623 Begin the hiring process by e-mailing your resume to: gocegueda@gsul.org In subject line tag position you are applying for. ~*~Gricelda Ocegueda, MSW Workforce Development Manager ~*~Greater Sacramento Urban League 3725 Marysville Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95838,#(916) 286-8630 Fax (916) 915-1829 ~*E-mail: gocegueda@gsul.org

APRIL is National Child Abuse Prevention Month !!! Get Involved

https://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/ This is such a good site to be involved with.

Bright Idea: How to look for signs of sex trafficking when young people come to your organization for shelter and support

The young woman first contacted Bellefaire JCB, a social service agency in Cleveland, complaining of a toothache. Later, she returned because she’d received a card about the organization’s trafficking program from the team that responded to her call. Letting her approach the program on her own terms was key to getting her in the door, says Karen McHenry, director of homeless youth and street outreach programs. “Some of the kids aren’t ready to come in,” she says. “We get many calls on our homeless youth hotline every day, but it’s whether the teen feels they can really trust us and that we can help get them to a different situation that matters the most." McHenry says a young person’s entry into a program is a key opportunity to identify whether he or she has been sexually exploited. But youth workers have to simultaneously exercise patience and vigilance. Sexual exploitation can be difficult to recognize, especially because most youth don’t see themselves as victims. Staff who recognize the signs of trafficking and know how to respectfully gather information, McHenry says, can better identify sexually exploited youth and direct them to the right services. “These kids’ pain and these wounds are very much beneath the surface,” she says. “You really need to be skilled in asking the right questions in a very non-threatening way.” Recognizing the Signs of Trafficking Enrolling workers in training programs for human trafficking and trauma-informed care can help them sensitively probe for answers that may not come up in a basic assessment of young people’s situation and needs, says Jennifer O’Farrell, director of the anti-human trafficking programs at Operation SafeHouse, a youth shelter in Riverside County, CA. When staff understand that major events like divorce and death may make teens more vulnerable to trafficking, she says, common intake questions about parental history take on more meaning. Learning about the underlying issues behind trafficking, such as a desire for love and belonging, can also help youth workers understand young people’s reluctance to leave their traffickers. Other warning signs to look for in a young person: •Is brought to your facility after being found at a local motel or truck stop. •Has a cell phone that rings constantly, often showing calls from an unknown number. •Arrives with large amounts of cash. •Seems overly distracted or tired. •Has untended physical or medical needs. Going Off-Script Trained staff members can also more easily steer the conversation in a new direction if they sense any signs of human trafficking. A good example, O’Farrell says, is the question "Do you have any tattoos?" Instead of recording the answer and moving on, youth workers can ask clients about the meaning and history behind their tattoos, which may be a sign of “branding” by a pimp or trafficker. At Bellefaire JCB, staff members often learn helpful information about a youth’s living situation by asking them if they have a house key. If the youth doesn’t have one, staff members ask what the youth needs to do to be invited inside. No matter what you ask, always keep the conversation nonjudgemental, O’Farrell and McHenry say. Of course, learning what youth have been through can take time. Operation SafeHouse staff mark the files of youth who they suspect have been trafficked by placing them in a different colored folder. Then, when the youth has become more comfortable at the shelter, O’Farrell talks to them one-on-one.

Foster Youth Services (FYS)

Foster Youth Services Website: www.sacfys.org Primary Contacts Virginia D'Amico, Project Specialist (916) 228-2746 vdamico@scoe.net Linda Zall, Project Specialist (916) 228-2243 lzall@scoe.net Trish Kennedy, Director (916) 228-2730 pkennedy@scoe.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Sacramento Foster Youth Services (FYS) Program is part of a statewide system of programs designed to meet the unique educational needs of foster children and youth. The intent of the Foster Youth Services Program is to provide educational support services for children and youth in the foster care system to promote their academic and personal success. The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) FYS Program services include: liaison services between placement and educational agencies; notification to districts regarding placement of students in foster care; training for schools, partner agencies, foster families, and group home staff; assistance for school districts to design and implement support services for foster children; data collection to monitor and evaluate services; advocacy services to foster youth that increase academic achievement; and maintenance of a secure database containing basic education and health information for all foster children and youth in the county. Participants Sacramento County foster children and youth from Sacramento County school districts, SCOE Special Education and Court and Community Schools Publications and Materials Foster Youth Services Program Brochure This brochure offers information about the countywide program and its services. This publication may be requested by phone. What School Office Staff Need to Know about Foster Care This pamphlet provides basic information for school site staff to assist foster children and their caretakers, and outlines legal issues, how the system of care works and the various agencies and adults involved in the foster child's life.This publication may be requested by phone. Partners Foster youth organizations, school districts, health and human services agencies, probation and law enforcement agencies, courts, foster care agencies and other interested groups and individuals

Support Parenting Youth in Foster Care.

Young parents in the foster care system face both the
challenges of being in foster care as well as the
challenges of being a young, often single, parent.
Studies of both groups have found that they will
experience higher than average rates of poverty,
unemployment and low educational attainment. While
this has long been the case, the issue of parenting
youth in foster care has become more pressing with the
implementation of extended foster care in California.

Fortunately, California State Senator Leland Yee
has introduced Senate Bill 528, legislation that will
make important changes to how the foster care
system serves parenting youth.

SB 528 does four things:

ensures that there is adequate planning for
pregnant youth in foster care by implementing
specialized conferences that have been piloted
in Los Angeles;
prioritizes children of parenting foster youth for
subsidized child care, allowing the youth to
pursue their education;
ensures that all children in foster care have
access to medically-accurate, age-appropriate
reproductive health education to prevent
unintended pregnancy;
requires the State of California to track the
number of parenting youth in foster care;
currently we do not know how many parenting
youth are in foster care.

SB 528 has the potential to make a real difference
in the lives of young parents in foster care. SB 528
will be heard in the Senate Human Services
Committee on April 9th. To support SB 528, there
are three things you can do:

1. Send a letter of support by March 29th
2. Endorse SB 528, as an individual or an
organization
3. Attend the Senate Human Services hearing on
Tuesday, April 9th

And of course- please forward this information
along to others interested in improving outcomes
for parenting youth in foster care.

SB 528 is sponsored by the Alliance for Children’s
Rights, Children’s Law Center of California, the
John Burton Foundation and Public Counsel.

Free job workshop at SCC

Thursday march, 21. 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Place: 2115 12th ave North corner of campus.

Private Organizations Fund Foster Youth Scholarships

The National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) offers scholarships designed to help foster families pay for education beyond high school. High school seniors are encouraged to apply once they have been accepted into their state college or university. Each student is asked to submit a short essay with application materials, on a topic to be provided by the Association. Casey Family Programs is dedicated to improving the child welfare system and providing educational opportunities for foster children. Organizations like Foster Care to Success administer Casey Family scholarship dollars for needy foster children. Applicants who were in foster care for at least one year prior to reaching their 18th birthday are eligible to compete for annual scholarships worth $1500 – $6000. Casey Family Scholarships enable foster youth under the age of 25 to attend national colleges and universities. The Darko Rapotez Memorial College Scholarship Fund for Aged Out Foster Youth is administered by Love our Children USA. The foster youth scholarship provides between $5,000 and $10,000 worth of tuition fee assistance to children who have “aged out” of the foster care system. Participants must provide books and housing with outside funds. Successful applicants are judged based on academic excellence and financial need. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 24 and maintain the program’s GPA standard of 3.0. Horatio Alger Scholarships disburse between $2,500 and $10,000 annually, to each qualified recipient. Funds can be used to finance undergraduate education for needy adopted students pursuing bachelor’s degrees at accredited American colleges and universities. The Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) is now known as Foster Care to Success, but the philanthropic educational mission remains focused on foster families and adopted children. In addition to valuable Casey Family Scholarships, the group connects willing donors with the foster care children who need help paying for school. The Sponsored Scholarship Program creates opportunities for organizations, as well as individuals, to contribute to positive outcomes for former foster care youth. U.S. former foster children under 25, with a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.0 may apply. North American Council on Adoptable Children stands committed to meeting the needs of waiting youths and the adoptive parents who welcome them into their lives. The groups maintains resources for former foster kids heading into higher education.

Youth After Foster Care Statistics (Shocking numbers!!)

Housing & Homelessness According to a national survey, 25% of foster youth reported that they had been homeless at least one night within 2.5 to 4 years after exiting foster care. 1 34% of foster youth in Wisconsin had been homeless or lived in four or more places within 12 to 18 months after exiting the foster care system. 2 25-40% of youth who become homeless each year identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). 3 3 in 10 of the nation's homeless adults report foster care history. 4 36% of former foster youth in Clark County, Nevada reported there were times when they did not have a place to live. 5 Education 54% of former foster youth completed high school according to a national survey. 6 At 12 to 18 months post-discharge, 55% of former foster youth in Wisconsin had completed high school. 7 50% of youth in Clark County, Nevada left foster care without a high school degree. 8 70% of former foster youth expressed the desire to attend college. 9 Employment 38% of former foster youth maintained employment for one year. 10 50% of former foster youth in Wisconsin were employed 12 to 18 months post-discharge. 11 63% of former foster youth in Clark County, Nevada were employed when interviewed with an average hourly wage of $7.25. 12 Incarceration In Wisconsin, 18% of former foster youth experienced incarceration post-discharge. 13 41% of former foster youth in Clark County, Nevada reported spending at least one night in jail. 14 Early Parenthood 60% of young women had children 2.5 to 4 years post-discharge. 15 38% of former foster youth in Clark County, Nevada has children. 16 Health 47% of former foster youth in Wisconsin received mental health services while in foster care. 17 44% of former foster youth in Wisconsin reported difficulty accessing health and mental health services. 18 55% of former foster youth in Clark County, Nevada reported no type of health insurance post-discharge. 19 Cook, R. (1991). A national evaluation of title IV-E foster care independent living programs for youth. Rockville, MD: Westat, Inc. back Courtney M., and Piliavin, I. (1998). Foster youth transitions to adulthood: Outcomes 12 to 18 months after leaving out-of-home care. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin. back Kruks G. Gay and lesbian homeless/street youth: special issues and concerns. J Adolescent Health. 1991;12:515-518. back Roman, N.P. & Wolfe, N. (1995). Web of failure: The relationship between foster care and homelessness. Washington, DC: National Alliance to End Homelessness. back Reilly, T. (2003). Transitions from care: status and outcomes of youth who age out of foster care. Child Welfare, 82, 727-746. back Cook, R. (1991). back Courtney, M., & Piliavin, I. (1998). back Reilly, T. (2003). back McMillen, C., Auslander, W., Elze, D., White, T. & Thompson, R. (2003). Educational experiences and aspirations of older youth in foster care. Child Welfare, 82, 475-495. back Cook, R. (1991). back Courtney, M., and Piliavin, I. (1998). back Reilly, T. (2003). back Courtney, M., & Piliavin, I. (1998). back Reilly, T. (2003). back Cook, R. (1991). back Reilly, T. (2003). back Courtney, M., & Piliavin, I. (1998). back Ibid. back Reilly, T. (2003)

~*~Housing options for foster youth~*~

There are a number of housing options available to both current and former foster youth that are affordable and in some cases provide additional support. If you are eligible and choose to stay in foster care beyond the age of 18 through the extended foster care program you can remain with your foster parents, relatives or other caregivers. You may also be eligible to move into one of two new options now available known as THP Plus Foster Care and Supervised Independent Living. If you have already exited foster care and are looking for housing on your own, download the Foster Youths Guide to Housing to help get you started or explore some of the programs for emancipated foster youth described below. Transitional Housing Placement Plus Foster Care (THP+ FC) This program provides housing and case management support in either an independent living setting or with a “host” family while you are enrolled in extended foster care. The cost of your room and board is paid for and in some cases you can receive a small stipend for yourself. If you are interested in this program you should discuss this option with your County Social Worker. A Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP) This foster care placement type allows a foster youth between 18 and 21 to live independently in a setting such as their own apartment, shared housing or a college dorm. You may be able to receive the payment amount of $799 directly (with an additional supplement for parenting youth) or a payee can be designated to receive the funds. You must have the necessary skills for independent living as determined by a readiness assessment and the housing unit must pass a health and safety inspection in order to be approved. If you are interested in this program you should discuss this option with your County Social Worker. Transitional Housing Placement Plus (THP-Plus) Youth who aged out of foster care prior to the implementation of AB 12, are aged 21-24 or who choose not to participate in extended foster care may be eligible for housing through the THP-Plus Program. This program provides up to 24 months of housing and support for former foster care youth ages 18-24. Youth live either in an independent living setting or with a “host” family. For a list of THP-Plus providers and county contacts click here. Family Unification Program (FUP) FUP vouchers are available in some counties for former foster youth ages 18-21 who exited care after the age of 16. These vouchers are administered through the local Housing Authority and function like a “Section 8” housing voucher. Former foster youth pay only 30% of their household income for rent for up to 18 months. For a list of counties that have received an allocation of FUP vouchers click on the link. College Dormitories Click on the link for a list of community colleges with on-campus housing. All 23 CSU campuses and 10 UC campuses also have on-campus housing available. Some campus support programs assist foster youth to access year-round on-campus housing. Click here to search for programs that provide this service.