May 11, 2007
The following items are relevant to the work of HEY and might be of interest to you. If you would like to submit an announcement for a future HEY E-Newsletter, please email srazavi@uwba.org

Support San Francisco Foster Youth!
Donate online. Donate by phone at 1-800-273-1779. Donate by mail. Make checks payable to United Way of the Bay Area/HEY and send to: United Way of the Bay Area—HEY / 221 Main Street, Suite 300 / San Francisco, CA 94105

In this issue:

1. HEY, What’s Going On?!

2. HEY’s Emancipated Youth Advocacy Board Corner

3. Policy Report

Articles

4. “Many foster youths face a future of homelessness”

5. “Foster children need our help”

6. “'Legislative push seeks more aid for foster care”

7. "CSUSM looks to boost enrollment of foster youths”

8. “No Child Left Behind Reforms Needed to Protect Children in Foster Care”

9. “Advocate Honored for Groundbreaking Work Resulting in Key Foster…”

10. “No Refuge” San Francisco Chronicle ongoing coverage

Reports

11. A Child's Right to Counsel: First Star's National Report Card on Legal Representation for Children

12. School Engagement and Youth Who Run Away from Care: The Need for Cross-System Collaboration

Events

13. Early Academic Planning Camp for 8th Graders at SJSU

14. Assemblymember Jim Beall’s Healthcare Town Hall on May 17

15. THP Plus Institute: Effective Practices to Successfully House former Foster and Probation Youth on July 16

Resources

16. CA Minor Consent Laws Pocket Cards

17. New America Media Releases Poll of California Youth

Opportunities

18. RFP to support sector based work initiatives serving low-income SF residents

19. Americorp Public Allies 10 Month Apprenticeship

20. Summer Youth Jobs

21. AHWG Job Opening

22. Resource of the Month: IMPACT

1. HEY, What’s Going On?!

Here is an update of some of HEY’s activities since the last month.

HEY Celebrates National Foster Care Month with THREE great events. May is National Foster Care Month and HEY has been very busy with three special events. Two have passed and were great success but there is one more and we hope to continue to have as great a turnout as with the last two events.

Here is a report of everything we have been up to:

Youth Leadership Awards Night on April 26
On April 26th, 25 current and former foster youth and young were honored in a ceremony at the San Francisco Human Services Building at the 2nd Annual Youth Leadership Awards Night. The honorees were recognized for their great work in their communities and for their resiliency and work towards success. Each youth was honored by their community members who had nominated them and was awarded a certificate of acknowledgement, flowers (courtesy of JCYC), a $75 check (courtesy of San Francisco HSA and ILSP), and 2-$25 gift cards (courtesy of City Youth Now) all presented by San Francisco Commissioner George Yamasaki, Jr.

HEY’s Foster Youth Connections Breakfast on May 1
Two weeks after the Youth Awards Night we held our 4th Annual Foster Youth Connections Breakfast (previously known as HEY Job Shadow Day) on Tuesday, May 1st, 2007 at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco. The event celebrated HEY’s work and connected community leaders, foster care provider agencies, and foster youth for a job shadow day. Following the breakfast, youth participants traveled to job sites and shadowed community leaders who had volunteered to host a youth for the day. On this day, each year, HEY convenes local foster care agencies and community leaders to raise awareness about foster care so that together we can all better support youth leaving the foster care system to become successful, self-sufficient adults. Many community partners and supporters were present at the event and we were able to exceed our fundraising goal. Thank you to all who helped make the day a beautiful success:

HEY Board of Directors
Leadership Class of 2006
Sponsors: Bank of America, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP, The Fillmore Center, and McKesson
Community Partner Agencies: San Francisco Independent Living Skills Program (SFILSP), Larking Street Youth Services, First Place for Youth, and San Francisco State University Guardian Scholars Program, and Jobs For Youth.
Job Host Sites: BAYCAT, Center for Families, Children, & the Courts, First Security, Gensler, SF Human Services Agency, KRON-4, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, Martinkovic Milford Architects, Mary Kay Cosmetics, McKenna Long Aldridge, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, SF Public Utilities Office, U.S. Coast Guard, and United Way of the Bay Area.

Voices of Youth 2007: Success Through Empowerment on May 12
On Saturday, May 12, 2007 HEY and our partners will honor current and former foster youth and their families at the 4th Annual San Francisco Foster Care Month Celebration: “Voices of Youth 2007: Success through Empowerment.” This free annual event has become a keystone in the Bay Area National Foster Care Month celebrations and is an opportunity to acknowledge the available resources in our community in the areas of: Education, Housing, Employment, Health and Support and Advocacy. We hope you can join us.

HEY’s New Video
At the HEY Breakfast on May 1st we also unveiled our new 10-min video. The goal of the video is to highlight HEY’s accomplishments and to introduce viewers to our work. If you missed the breakfast, the video will be available at our website in the coming weeks.

HEY Council of Colleges
On Friday, March 30 HEY held our quarterly Northern California Council of Colleges meeting. We had great representation from local 2- and 4-year colleges as well as community based agencies supporting them. Notes and next steps from the convening will be available soon. For those interested the next Council of Colleges meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 1 from 10-2. For more information contact Sara Razavi, srazavi@uwba.org or 415-808-4435.

2. HEY’s Emancipated Youth Advocacy Board (EYAB) Corner

This section of the newsletter is written by EYAB members

By Dylan Ruggles (from Dylan’s speech at HEY’s 4th Annual Foster Youth Connections Breakfast on May 1, 2007) go to speech>

3. Policy Report

Foster Care Legislation
The California Assembly Select Committee expanded their membership this year and introduced a large legislative package focused on foster care reform. more>

California Foster Care Month Coalition Presents Award to Governor
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was presented the "2007 Change A Lifetime Award" on May 1st from the California Foster Care Month Coalition, a group of 30 representatives from child welfare agencies across the state. This award is given each year to an individual who has made a significant contribution to California's foster youth. The Governor is being honored for improving the foster care system, supporting housing and transition services for former foster youth and helping former foster youth pursue K-12 and post-secondary education.

ARTICLES

4. “Many foster youths face a future of homelessness” by Sara Steffens, Insidebayarea.com, May 6, 2007
When a foster youth becomes homeless, no one social worker, guardian or child welfare department is to blame. Like most states, California has failed to provide an effective safety net for the more than 4,000 children who age out of its foster care system each year. go to article >

5. “Foster children need our help” By staff writer, Insidebayarea.com, May 5, 2007
The homeless foster child is a seemingly forgotten segment of our society. We cannot blame the social worker, the guardian or the child welfare department. California is typical of many other states. go to article >

6. “Legislative push seeks more aid for foster care” by Clea Benson, Bee Capitol Bureau, May 2, 2007
California foster parents get about $500 per month in public funds for each abused or neglected child placed in their homes. Advocates say that's far less than it costs to feed, clothe and care for the children who are wards of the state. And that amount hasn't gone up in seven years. go to article >

7. “CSUSM looks to boost enrollment of foster youths” by Shayna Chabner, North County Times, April 24, 2007
After streamlining the admissions process for hundreds of North County high school students, Cal State University San Marcos is directing its focus to foster youths, a group that rarely pursues higher education because of a lack of support and resources. more>

8. “No Child Left Behind Reforms Needed to Protect Children in Foster Care” by Administrative staff, All American Patriots, April 25, 2007
Casey Family Programs and the National Education Association released recommendations for the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act to improve the educational outcomes of children and youth in out-of-home care. Over 800,000 children and youth are served by foster care each year. more>

9. “Advocate Honored for Groundbreaking Work Resulting in Key Foster….” by California Permanency for Youth Project, Earthtimes.org, April 20, 2007
Child welfare leaders and policymakers from throughout California gathered with foster youth, former foster youth and families today to express their gratitude to Pat Reynolds Harris, a dedicated child welfare professional for over four decades… go to article >

10. “No Refuge” San Francisco Chronicle ongoing coverage of foster care system
The San Francisco Chronicle continues to devote significant coverage to foster youth. Coverage since our last newsletter:

May 2 “Me lonely? Not now, thanks to the ‘family finding’ search—Internet search helps connect foster kids with their relatives”

May 1 “A dream deferred”

April 22 “Inconvenient Youth”

April 19 “Smith raves about 49ers’ new outlook”

REPORTS

11. A Child's Right to Counsel: First Star's National Report Card on Legal Representation for Children, April 24, 2007
Nearly half of U.S. states fail to provide legal representation for abused and neglected foster children, leaving them without a voice during judicial proceedings that profoundly impact their futures, a new study found. The peer-reviewed study—A Child's Right to Counsel: First Star's National Report Card on Legal Representation for Children—was released today by First Star, a leading national child advocacy organization. Read the full report.

12. School Engagement and Youth Who Run Away from Care: The Need for Cross-System Collaboration, Chapin Hall, 2007

To better understand the complex factors that influence school engagement for youth in care, Chapin Hall researchers Ada Skyles, Cheryl Smithgall, and Eboni Howard interviewed Illinois youth who ran away from their foster placements and adults who care for or work with these youth. Findings reveal missed opportunities in helping to support the educational aspirations of a vulnerable group of youth--missed opportunities for foster parents and professionals, for the child welfare and education systems, and most important, for the youth themselves. Read the complete report, School Engagement and Youth Who Run Away from Care: The Need for Cross-System Collaboration.

EVENTS

13. Early Academic Planning Camp for 8th Graders at SJSU

The CME Society at San Jose State would like to enlist your help in recruiting youth for our EARLY ACADEMIC PLANNING CAMP, which will be held June 8-11th. They need more applications and would very much like to offer this opportunity to 30 foster youth. Please help them by forwarding this message to your Social Services CASAs, Foster Parents and Foster Care contacts who have youth in middle school who are in the 8th grade. (We will consider those starting 8th grade or starting 9th grade in the fall.) Click here to view the application.

14. Assemblymember Jim Beall’s Healthcare Town Hall on May 17
Assemblymember Jim Beall, Jr. would like to invite you to a Town Hall on Healthcare on Thursday, May 17, 2007 at Camden Community Center in San Jose. The Governor and leadership from both houses of the State Legislature have made fixing California’s healthcare system a top priority this year. This Town Hall will help educate and raise awareness about the various healthcare reform proposals that are currently being considered in Sacramento. The event will also provide an opportunity to meet with elected officials, learn how the Governor’s May Revise impacts the proposals, and express your thoughts on which proposals you think would work best in California. Download the flyer

15. THP Plus Institute: Effective Practices to Successfully House former Foster and Probation Youth on July 16

The Institute is sponsored by the THP-Plus Statewide Implementation Project, a partnership between the John Burton Foundation, the California Department of Social Services, and the Corporation for Supportive Housing. We are pleased that Majority Leader Karen Bass is also co-sponsoring what promises to be a dynamic and educational conference. The Institute will be held on Monday, July 16 (note the date change) at the Center for Healthy Communities at the California Endowment in Los Angeles. Additional information will be posted on the website. If you have any questions, please contact Michele Byrnes at (415) 693-1323 or michele@johnburtonfoundation.org.

Resources

16. CA Minor Consent Laws Pocket Cards

CA Minor Consent Laws pocket cards have been updated and include:

Tips for providers and teens
Colorful clip art and design
Chart that summarizes the health services teens can obtain without permission from their parents/guardians and information on notification.
Definitions of common health terms for teens

The San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families generously funded the printing of these cards so that they can provide to providers, clinics, and organizations for FREE. Please contact the Adolescent Health Working Group at (415) 554-8429 and let them know how many copies you want and whether you can pick up the cards from their office at 1390 Market Street, Suite 900, SF, CA.

17. New America Media Releases Poll of California Youth

California Dreamers: A public opinion portrait of the most diverse generation the nation has known
Family breakdown trumps the war in Iraq, global warming and even stress about school as the biggest challenge youth see facing their generation, according to a New America Media poll released April 25. To view the poll results visit www.newamericamedia.org/polls

Opportunities

18. RFP to support sector based work initiatives serving low-income SF residents

The Mayors Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the Mayor's Office of Community Development are pleased to announce this Request for Proposals (RFP) to support sector-based (industry-specific) workforce initiatives serving low-income San Francisco residents. MOEWD and MOCD are requesting proposals from organizations and collaborations to provide services that will result in preparation, training, placement into permanent employment, and long-term job retention for San Francisco residents interested in pursuing careers in the priority industry sectors. You can also download the budget example.

19. Americorp Public allies is Accepting Applications for 10 Month Apprenticeship

PUBLIC ALLIES SILICON VALLEY is actively seeking passionate young adults (ages 18-30) from diverse backgrounds, committed to social justice, and serious about learning and affecting change throughout the Silicon Valley. For more information please view the brochure, application, and reference form.

20. Youth Jobs for the Summer

PROJECT PULL Applications will be accepted from April 23rd – May 18th
Project Pull is a summer youth employment program focusing on the careers of architecture and engineering for 11th and 12th graders and incoming college freshman. For more information about Project Pull eligibility and to download an application, Visit the YouthWorks website and go to the "Project Pull" tab.

YOUTHWORKS Applications for Summer 2007 will be released May 11th!
San Francisco YouthWorks is a career-oriented youth employment program in city government for youth who will be entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades for the 2007-2008 school year. YouthWorks is a year around program and applications for the Summer 2007 session will be released on May 11th. Applications will be accepted from May 14th - 25th. Please contact San Francisco YouthWorks at (415) 202-7911 or information@YouthWorks.org for more information. Visit the YouthWorks website.

Vietnamese Youth Development Center (VYDC) is hiring for four positions!
We are looking for professional, energetic, dynamic, and passionate individuals who care about impacting the lives of young people. If you know of that someone who fit this description, contact: judyyoung@vydc.org

Tomodachi Summer Program
The Tomodachi Summer Program is looking for high school students who love working with kids! The 9-week summer program will run from June 18th to August 17th. High school counselors will receive training on working with elementary school aged children as well as planning and implementing a fun- filled program! Interested students should contact Lori Kunihara at lkunihara@jcyc.org.

21. AHWG Job Opening

AHWG is in the midst of finding a new Project Coordinator! Please check out the job posting and forward it to anyone you know who might be interested. We are accepting applications until May 16, 2007.

22. RESOURCE of the MONTH

IMPACT: A Multidisciplinary Journal Addressing the Issues of Urban Youth
We are proud to announce the launch of IMPACT, a multidisciplinary journal fusing research, practice, and policy to advance the success of urban youth. From a variety of angles, our inaugural issue, Volume 1 Issue 1 Spring 2007, explores the question: How can municipalities and nonprofit organizations collaborate to facilitate success in transitional youth services?

This issue can be viewed online or downloaded at http://www.impacturbanyouth.org/TOC1

For more information or to submit an announcement for June, please contact Sara Razavi at 415-808-4435 or srazavi@uwba.org.