Collaborate & Connect: Older Youth Readiness: Shaping Pathways that Foster Supportive Relationships & Independence

At the Institute for Child Welfare Innovation, a program of the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, we strive to provide professionals with resources and information relevant to your crucial work: serving youth impacted by foster care and their caregivers. Join us for Collaborate & Connect: FREE, actionable information for child welfare professionals.

Presented By: Brittney Lockett, Director of Older Youth Readiness

What We’ll Discuss:

Often, involvement in the foster care system results in the loss of critical connections to friends, family, kin, community, school, culture, and places of worship. This training features The Older Youth Readiness program (OYR) which is designed to support youth in navigating and accessing the services necessary to promote overall well-being. Youth play a central role in guiding the service planning process, helping to shape pathways that foster strong, supportive relationships with the ultimate goal of achieving interdependence.

Both the Older Youth Readiness Navigator (OYRN) and the Older Youth Empowerment Specialist (OYES) operate within this overarching program structure. However, the OYES provides an enhanced focus through comprehensive, strengths-based assessments that center each youth’s identity. These assessments explore cultural background, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and personal values. A key component of this work is a dedicated focus on LGBTQIA+ youth, ensuring that services are affirming, inclusive, and responsive to their unique experiences and needs.

The insights gained from these assessments directly inform individualized case planning, ensuring services are culturally responsive and trauma informed. This approach affirms each youth’s sense of self while promoting placement stability and supporting long-term emotional and social well-being.

What You’ll Learn:

• Comprehensive, strengths-based assessments centered on each youth’s identity
• Impact involvement has on individualized case planning, promoting placement stability and long-term emotional & social well-being
• Culturally responsive & trauma informed services