Aging Out of Foster Care - Challenges and Options

Youth with disabilities in foster care face enormous challenges, especially as they prepare to transition out of state care into adulthood. In this webinar, you'll learn more about an Arizona program designed to help teens get ready for the future. Get a detailed look into a "Creating a 'Picture of a Life' for Transitioning Youth with Developmental Disabilities in Foster Care," a program that seeks to prepare youth with DD who are about to exit foster care to exercise choice, promote the use of informal and community supports, and to make knowledgeable decisions on community living and work through the development of person-centered plans and opportunities to learn self-advocacy and determination skills. This informative webinar is geared toward foster care parents and professionals who want to see teens with disabilities succeed as they transition out of the system and prepare for adulthood at the same time. You'll hear about the reality of caring for kids with disabilities in foster care, why creating a person-centered plan matters and learn about resources to increase transition success in the lives of some of Arizona's most vulnerable young people. ADDPC Panelists Jacy Farkas, MA, UCEDD Manager, Sonoran UCEDD (University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities), University of Arizona Melissa Kushner, MSW, Protective Services/Tribal Liaison, Arizona Department of Economic Security Barbara Guillen, BS Social Work, Independent Living State Coordinator, Arizona Department of Child Safety Jacy Farkas joined the Sonoran UCEDD in 2007. She directs its Person-Centered Initiative, which includes leading projects completing plans for transition-aged youth with DD and developing community tools. Ms. Farkas' interests lie in youth transition, person-centered practices, diversity issues, and information accessibility. Melissa Kushner is the Protective Services and Tribal Liaison for the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Her career has focused on children and youth with DD in the child welfare system, as well as vocational rehabilitation and employment supports. Melissa currently provides technical assistance and conducts workshops. Barbara Guillen has worked with Head Start, served as a Pre-K teacher, supervised an Independent Living Skills Program, and transitioned to State Independent Living Coordinator for the Department of Child Safety in 2011. She actively focuses her work on helping young adults in and aging out of foster care.