Teens and older youth in the foster care system often face the additional challenge of having to prepare to live independently. We'll learn about the difficulties and opportunities for these young people.
Guests
Ahmen Belanger Cabral, policy associate, Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine
Dulcey Laberge, youth transition team leader, Office of Child and Family Services, Maine Department of Health & Human Services
Carleigh Boston, formerly in the Maine foster care system; local and national advocate for youth who are in the child welfare system; national advocate for anyone ages 14-26 who has ever been in foster care, or more than 1 million young people nationwide
Hannah Pelletier (by phone), foster parent
Heather Stott (by phone), executive director of workforce services, Goodwill Northern New England
Kim Lipp (by phone), executive vice president, Jobs for Maine Graduates
Resources
- From Adolescence to Adulthood: A Blueprint for Helping Maine Youth Suceed, from the John T. Gorman Foundation
- National Conference Of State Legislatures: Supporting Older Youth in Foster Care
- State of Maine Child and Family Services: Child Welfare Foster Parenting
- State of Maine Child and Family Services: Teens-Youth Transition
- Youth Leadership Advisory Team
- A Family For ME
- New Beginnings
- Adopt US Kids: Teens need families