In this issue:
1. HEY Events
2. HEY’s Emancipated Youth Advocacy Board Corner
3. Policy Updates
4. Articles
5. Reports
6. Opportunities
7. Upcoming Events
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1. HEY Events
HEY Education Workgroup Meeting
This workgroup is a convening of local foster care education providers and supporters. Our goal is to provide training and support to direct service providers who work with foster youth.
Next meeting on Wednesday, Jan 16 from 9:30-11 at San Francisco ILSP.
HEY Employment Workgroup Meeting
After two years, this workgroup has reconvened with new members and a new focus. Our goal is to map the local resources available to current and former foster youth to ensure foster youth have access to employment opportunities.
Next meeting is on Tuesday, Jan 22 from 2-3:30
Questions, please contact Sara Razavi at 415-808-4435.
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2. HEY’s Emancipated Youth Advocacy Board (EYAB) Corner
Want a glimpse of what our new EYAB will look like?
HEY’s EYAB 2008 members will be expert trainers and consultants for organizations and groups to educate them on the experience and unique needs of current and former foster youth. This reacts to a stated need in the community for programs to understand, support and recruit current and former foster youth and fits within HEY’s scope to ‘promote awareness and improve cross -sector communication’. The details of the training program, the outreach strategy and the evaluations will be designed by the EYAB.
What’s exciting about this model?
- This model integrates and is integrated within HEYs scope and work
- This model supports HEY’s scope by promoting awareness and improving cross-sector communication
- This model is youth designed and led and builds advocates for the foster youth community
We are excited about EYAB 2008 and will make more information available shortly. Stay posted for more information in the coming months!
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3. Policy Updates
State Budget
Governor to release state budget on January 10th. Look for information surrounding the release of the budget and the effects, positive and negative, that it will have on this session’s child welfare agendas.
Summary of Major Democratic Candidates Positions on Youth Issues
From Intermediary Network
Download the report
Take Five! Q & A with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), United States Senate
From National Alliance to End Homelessness
What is the newest issue emerging in homelessness policy?
Prevention of homelessness is key to ending homelessness in America. It is far easier, and more cost effective to prevent a person or family from becoming homeless than to assist someone out of a homeless situation, provide the rehabilitative services needed, and reestablish them in society.
Another important issue emerging in homelessness policy is a renewed focus on ending chronic homelessness by providing supportive services, such as mental health and substance abuse treatment services, in permanent housing facilities. About 200,000 people experience long-term or chronic homelessness nationwide. Once chronically homeless individuals are in permanent supportive housing, success is achieved by providing supportive services that will help them stay off the streets and out of hospitals and jails. I believe we have the opportunity to help solve the issue of chronic homelessness in a cost-effective way by providing permanent supportive housing and supportive services. |
4. Articles
San Francisco Chronicle coverage of foster youth issues
Dec 17
When a child can’t be home for Christmas
“Orphanages Stunt Mental Growth, a Study Shows” New York Times, Dec 21, 2007
To read the full article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/21/health/21cnd-foster.html
“California Assembly approved plan to overhaul health care system” San Francisco Chronicle, Dec 18, 2007
Read the article.
“Local Women Give Holiday Gifts to Sacramento Foster Children” California Chronicle, Dec 12, 2007
Read the article.
“After years, Bayview will finally get a full-service grocery store” San Francisco Chronicle, Dec 12, 2007
Read the article.
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5. Reports
Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth—Third wave comparison study released 2007
This month the Chapin Hall Center for Children released Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth. The report compares the outcomes of young adults who "aged out" of the foster care system and a nationally representative sample of 21-year-olds, providing a snapshot of how former foster youth are doing during their transition to adulthood relative to their peers in the general public. Download the report.
Child and Family Service Reviews 2001-2004: A Mental Health Analysis 2007
This analysis from the National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health and the Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health is based upon a review of the 52 Final Reports and 52 Program Improvement Plans from the first round CFSRs. It includes trends in mental health service delivery and administration/management noted in the Final Reports and PIPs; a summary of the mental health challenges, as well as the opportunities for reform, across all States; and issues needing further consideration and study. Download the report.
Child Welfare and Child Well-Being: Bridging Research, Policy, and Practice 2007
If you missed this recent Chapin Hall panel, you can access the audio and PowerPoint online. The event brought together a panel of experts and the authors of a new book—Child Protection: Using Research to Improve Policy and Practice—to discuss how research can shape effective policies and programs. It centered on two themes: interventions for vulnerable infants and young children, and evidence-based parenting programs for families in the child welfare system. Download the report.
6. Opportunities
Huckleberry is hiring
Click here for information about the Academic Specialist/ Senior Case Manager position.
America Promise Semester of Service program
The Semester of Service is a new, public-private strategy to help young people find their voice, take action, and have impact on the most critical problems facing the world, such as climate change, hunger, homelessness, malaria, water scarcity, disaster preparation, aging, violence, and literacy.
In January 2008, Youth Service America and the Corporation for National and Community Service are encouraging students, ages 5-25, to develop a 14 week service-learning project that launches on Jan. 21, 2008 - the Martin Luther King Day of Service, and culminates on the weekend of Global Youth Service Day, April 25-27, 2008. For more information, click here.
San Francisco Women Against Rape seeks volunteers
San Francisco Women Against Rape seeks volunteers committed to: supporting survivors of sexual assault, challenging all forms of oppression, and developing valuable counseling skills. People of color and people who are bilingual/bicultural are encouraged to apply. The next training begins on 1/23/08. The application deadline has been extended to January 1, 2008. To find out more call 415-861-2024 x319 or check us out at www.sfwar.org/volunteers.html.
Save Me a Spot in College Scholarship Contest
$100,000 in scholarships for California 6th–12th grade students!
The Campaign for College Opportunity is proud to launch the third year of the "Save Me a Spot in College" scholarship contest! This contest is an effort to hear young Californians share their voice on why California leaders should save them and their peers a spot in college. As you know, California needs more of our young people to go to college and succeed. As California's demand for educated workers grows, we need to ensure a spot in college for all students who prepare and who seek it.
Building on last year's success (which included close to 200 partners, over 8,000 entries, and $100,000 in scholarships awarded to more than 100 students), let's make this year even better! Encourage every 6th-12th grade student in California to enter because their voice is important and needs to be heard! Spread the word! Forward this email to students, teachers, and parents.
KEY CONTEST INFO:
- Students may submit a written word, poster, TV ad answering the contest question: "Why should California leaders save you and your peers a spot in college?"
- The first step is to REGISTER TODAY by visiting www.collegecampaign.org/contest or call 1-800-459-9586.
- All California 6th-12th grade students are eligible.
- More than 100 students across California will share a total of $100,000 in scholarship awards!
- Deadline for all contest submissions is March 15, 2008.
- Winners will be announced in late May 2008.
- Students participating in the scholarship contest will learn about college, help promote college participation, and make sure state leaders are informed about the importance of college access.
- Contest submissions will be used to raise awareness among California residents and leaders about the importance of providing college opportunity to the growing young population.
- Teachers, counselors, principals, parents, and youth organizers can sign-up on the website to get their students involved!
For more information, visit the contest portion of the Campaign's website.
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7. Upcoming Events
Human Services Agency Community Budget Forums
HSA will hold three community meetings on the FY 2008-2009 budget, including discussion of economic forecasts, spending plans, and reduction proposals. All forums will take place at 170 Otis St. (x-Duboce), Born Auditorium.
(1) Wednesday, December 19, 4pm - 6pm
Family and Children's Services and Child Care Programs
Downloads from the presentations.
(2) Thursday, December 20, 2pm - 4pm
Department of Aging and Adult Services
(3) Thursday, January 3, 4pm - 6pm
Economic Support and Self-Sufficiency Programs
Human Services Networks Public Policy Committee Meeting, Jan 30
Human Services Network (HSN) PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE
Wednesday, January 30, 10:00am
Progress Foundation, 368 Fell Street
Who is HSN?:
In December 1997, a small group of Executive Directors came together to discuss the need for a unified nonprofit voice to address policy issues impacting our sector and the people we serve. That meeting led to the creation of the San Francisco Human Services Network. With over 100 members today, we have made great strides in improving the ability of health and human service nonprofits to deliver essential services to the most vulnerable members of our community.
This meeting is open to all HSN members that paid dues in 2007 or 2008. These meetings provide members with an opportunity to discuss current issues in greater depth, and to bring new issues to HSN's attention.
This month's meeting will feature a discussion of Communities of Opportunity and violence prevention efforts in the Bayview.
Please RSVP to mbuice@sfhsn.org so we know how many are coming.
Parents for Public Schools—SF parent events
Parents for Public Schools—San Francisco (PPS-SF) is a network of parents working together to build quality schools for all San Francisco children.
SAVE THE DATE for these upcoming PPS events! PPS-SF has three big events coming soon! Please mark your calendars and watch for further details.
Chinese Parent Day, Saturday, January 12, 2008
Our first PPS-SF Chinese Parent Day will honor the newest graduates of our Next Step Parent Leadership Training, with special guest, Superintendent Carlos Garcia. This event will be held in Chinese with English translation.
Latino Parent Day, Saturday, February 23, 2008
Last year, the PPS-SF Latino Parent Day was our largest event ever, with over 250 attendees! Please mark your calendars to join us again for a fun day celebrating Latino parents in our public schools. Featuring Keynote Speaker, Superintendent Carlos Garcia. This event will be held in Spanish with English translation.
Enrollment Event at the Bayview Library, Wednesday, January 9, 2008
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Bayview Library, Anna E. Waden Branch, 5075 Third Street @ Revere
Street Parking; Muni: Lines T, 44, 24
For questions or to sign up for KidsWatch, please contact PPS-SF at 861-7077 or info@ppssf.org.
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 About
Honoring Emancipated Youth
Honoring Emancipated Youth (HEY) is a San Francisco-based intermediary providing leadership to the Bay Area foster care community by convening and informing stakeholders of trends and best practices in order to raise public awareness and promote successful foster care policies. HEY is committed to the inclusion of current and former foster care youth, service providers, and community members in identifying and promoting strategies and best practices that ensure there are effective systems to serve foster care youth in achieving a successful transition into adulthood.
For more information or if you would like to subscribe others,
please contact Sara Razavi at srazavi@uwba.org.
Honoring Emancipated Youth
A Community Project of United Way of the Bay Area
221 Main Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
415.808.4435
www.heysf.org
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