Transitioning Youth

Iowa has eight Community Partnership sites involved in the Transitioning Youth Initiative (TYI) that have created shared decision-making teams to focus on issues that youth face as they age out of foster care and transition into adulthood. Part of this effort includes an individualized course of action known as the Iowa Youth Dream Team planning process.  This process was designed in part by youth in foster care and is youth-focused. It follows standards similar to that of Family Team Meetings and is being offered to youth 16 years of age and older who are connected to one of the eight sites. Key components of TYI are implementing collaborative efforts designed to increase partnerships; integrating services and resources that improve outcomes among youth over the age of 16; as well as changing policy and practice at the state and local levels that promote successful transitions.

Tools

*Created by Elizabeth Smoczynski

In May 2008, Iowa sent a team of youth, community advocates, providers and child welfare reprsentatives to participate in the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Casey Family Services and Casey Family Program's 2008 National Permanency Convening held in Washington D.C. The Iowa youth were also asked to present their stories for a panel discussion entitled Engaging Youth as Advocates and Advisors to achieve Permanence.