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Social Services Help

Description of Services and Activities Planned

The programs, services, and activities described in this section are to be carried out in whole, or in part, with Title IV-E, Section 477 funds allotted for Federal Fiscal Year 2001-2004 under the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Act of 1999. Consistent with the Department's priorities, the CFCIP plans for FFY's 2001-2004 are integrated into the existing five year Title IV-B Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP). CFCIP plans are based on the Department's experience with previous strategies, on recommendations made by a sub-committee of the Child Welfare Advisory Committee, and on the requirements of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Act of 1999. The focuses on four major program goals:

Goal 1: Expanded services for older foster care youth that includes greater availability and access to a continuum of services and activities that enable youth to adequately prepare for leaving foster care and live interdependently in the community

Objective 1: To continue to increase the number of available of community based sub-contractors for aftercare for youth in apartment living to assist them as these youth transition from specialized independent living programs. The goal is to have at least 4 new programs this type developed and in place by the end of FFY 2004, September 30, 2004.

Objective 2: To quantify and evaluate the effectiveness of the sub-contractor currently managing a statewide community and work-site mentoring program for older youth in care. Quantification and evaluation will occur once a year for FFY's 2001-2004 as required by the Department and the AmeriCorps grant.

Objective 3: To continue to utilize the district's independent living program staff to act as consultants for agencies and programs providing independent living preparation services. This will occur on an ongoing basis for FFY's 2001-2004.

Goal 2: Integration of preparation for adulthood concepts and activities into the casework practice of all staff who work with older youth in the care of the Department.

Objective 1: To implement the newly revised guidelines with regard to life skills assessment and independent living case planning practice for all older youth in care for all Department casework staff by October 1, 2001. The objective is improvement in systemic consistency in practice for all Department casework staff, treatment foster care providers, and group and residential care providers. Quality Assurance
Managers will oversee the quality and content of the life skills assessments and independent living case plans on an ongoing basis.

Objective 2: To conduct the 11th annual Teen Conference for independent living program youth, foster care caseworkers, care providers, and others who work with youth who are transitioning out of care and into the community. The 11th Annual Teen Conference is scheduled for June 28, 2001 at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. The Teen Conference will be planning and conducted each year through FFY-2004.

Objective 3: To incorporate specialized independent living and youth development training topics into the training curriculum available through the Child Welfare Training Institute beginning in the Fall of 2001. Training will be available for foster care providers, group and residential care providers, and Department staff. Consult with staff from the University of Southern Maine's Muskie School the Department's management and supervisory staff, and the care provider community with regard to selection of training topics on a yearly basis through FFY-2004.

Goal 3: Enhance and maintain quality services that adequately prepare youth in foster care for transition from care to self-sufficient adulthood.

Objective 1: To include youth in the child welfare planning process. Youth will be represented on the Child Welfare Advisory Committee for FFY's 2001 through 2004. To continue to utilize the Youth Leadership Advisory Team to provide information to Departmental staff and community service providers regarding the needs of youth in care. The YLAT "Speaker's Bureau" presentations will be planned and conducted the YLAT Coordinator on a regular and ongoing basis through FFY-2004.

Objective 2: To work with the Administration for Children and Families and their consultants to identify independent living program outcome measures with a focus as to how these outcomes will accurately measure the youth's successful transition out of care. Outcome measures will be identified with progress reported on measures for each FFY 2001-2004.

Goal 4: Effective communication and partnership with, and among youth, state departments, community agencies, interested businesses, and individuals.

Objective 1: To continue to meet with representatives of other state departments, representatives from community agencies, members of the business community, and individuals on an ongoing basis for FFY's 2001-2004 to improve access to independent living preparation services for older youth in foster care.

Objective 2: To continue publication of the Independent Living Program's youth leadership newsletter on a quarterly basis and to continue work on the youth leadership
website (www.ylat.usm.maine.edu) on an ongoing basis for FFY 2001-2004.

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