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Delaware Children’s Campaign
Issues Report on
Aging-Out in Delaware’s Foster Care System
Wilmington, DE – The Delaware Children’s Campaign today
issued a report that examines what happens to youth in the Delaware
foster care system when they turn 18 years of age.
Carl Schnee, Chairman of the Delaware Children’s
Campaign released the report titled “Our Children: Aging-out of
Foster Care in Delaware” which studied the needs of teens who
age-out of the Delaware foster care system. The report provides the
best picture to date on these teenagers and what the focus of the
advocacy efforts may need to be for this upcoming legislative year.
(The report can be found online at
WWW.DECHILDRENSCAMPAIGN.ORG)
The report was funded and written by the Delaware
Children’s Campaign, and the data was compiled with the assistance
of social service providers, child advocates and the Division of
Family Services. This report is an effort to try to highlight the
needs of over 100 Delaware teenagers who exit the foster care system
every year simply by turning 18. In most cases, these teens are
left homeless, and without educational opportunities or skills
necessary to find and retain jobs. National data show that at least
25% of these teens will be incarcerated within the first two years
of leaving foster care. The report concludes that these teens need
further supports, not only from the Division of Family Services but
also from the community at-large.
Mr. Schnee stated, “It is the hope of the Delaware
Children’s Campaign that the report serves as a call-to-action for
the community to partner with social service providers and the state
to find homes, jobs and educational opportunities for these kids.
Their success directly translates into societal cost savings by
alleviating the demands on our judicial/criminal system and
contributing to the general overall betterment of our community.”
According to the report, the identified needs of
these youth are: housing; education; employment; and healthcare
(including mental health services and pre/postnatal care).
Last year, Delaware budgeted $806,000 to serve over
370 youth ages 16-21 with independent living services, including
life skills training, education and housing. Life skills providers
within the state are: West End Neighborhood House, Wilmington; North
East Treatment Center, New Castle; Elizabeth W. Murphy School,
Dover; and People’s Place Inc., Milford.
West End Neighborhood House in Wilmington is the only
social service provider that provides teens with housing. Its Life
Lines program is able to accommodate only 35 youth who age-out of
foster care in any given year.
Mr. Schnee stated, “As wonderful as the Life Lines
program is it is still problematic for youth outside of New Castle
County as they have to not only face transition from a foster care
setting but also have to face moving to an unfamiliar location.
This uproots their sense of community and places them at an even
further disadvantage for successful transition into the community.
Housing units and supports need to be increased in Kent and Sussex
Counties.” Life Lines is working with the Delaware State Housing
Authority to increase housing units through two programs:
Partnering with Parents and Step-Up.
An example of how the business community can help
assist these youth is the Individual Development Account (IDA)
Program supported by Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware (DBTCD).
Lorraine DeMeurisse, Community Development Officer for DBTCD
commented that, “the idea of supporting financial literacy
development and savings habits for this population, with such great
need, was a natural fit for DBTCD given its investment in the
original statewide IDA program, Delawarean’s Save, and its interest
in supporting initiatives that help people become and maintain
self-sufficiency.” To date Deutsche Bank has contributed $50,000 to
this program.
Lynn Ingersoll’s group, Independent Living for Young
Adults (ILYA), is in partnership with The First Unitarian Church in
Wilmington. ILYA provides active support to a number of youth who
have aged-out, including training stipends, rent and
utility supplements, mentoring, donations of furniture, etc. Ms.
Ingersoll stated, "These young people are at a crossroad, moving
from childhood in foster care into adulthood, largely without
support. As a caring community, it is critical that we join
together to help them become responsible, productive adults.
Prevention of problems now is far more important and
cost effective than treating problems later."
READ THE REPORT
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Dear Friends:
The Delaware
Children’s
Campaign has created a
brand new initiative: the
Kids’ Lobby for child-centered
organizations!
The Kids’ Lobby will bring kids
advocates and policy makers
together during the weeks that
the Delaware Legislature is in
session to discuss:
·
Successful advocacy
techniques and messaging;
·
Pending and proposed
legislation relating to
children;
·
Budget concerns from both a departmental and
individual agency
perspective;
·
General issues of concern
from the membership; and
·
Legislative Hall “gossip”
and events
As a former
staff member of the
General Assembly for over seven
years, I
have a keen appreciation
for successful advocacy in Dover.
While the overall process of
shaping policy is often
deliberative, many times it can be feverish. Specifically, at
those times it is
imperative that
groups
representing an issue
be
coordinated and responsive to the needs/concerns of
legislators. An
effective Kids’ Lobby will be able
to respond
quickly, collectively and thoughtfully to legislative issues,
budget cuts
and policy concerns
that will
directly affect
Delaware’s children.
We invite all child-centered
nonprofits to participate in
legislative weekly lunch meetings
to be held at Maple Dale
Country
Club on Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m.
of Legislative weeks,
beginning
January 13, 2009. If you plan to
attend, please RSVP
to Grace
Beebe ASAP at (Grace@dechildrenscampaign.org).
You will receive an e-mail on the
Thursday prior to the weekly
meeting to confirm your attendance.
Thank you – and I look forward to
working with you in Dover!
Sincerely,
Rodney Brittingham
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Children's Issues in the
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News Journal – December 16, 2008
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081216/NEWS03/812160375/-1/archive
Sussex approves affordable rental plan
News Journal – December 15, 2008
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081215/NEWS02/812150355/-1/archive
The Fix: Big Threats To Little Fingers
New York Times – December 11, 2008
Report Sounds Alarm on Child Accidents
New York Times – December 10, 2008
Personal Health: All That Noise Is Damaging Children's Hearing New York Times – December 9, 2008
Del. schools in path of pollution
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http://delawareonline.com/article/20081208/NEWS08/812080335/-1/archive
Florida Steps in Early, and Troubled Teenagers Respond
New York Times – December 5, 2008
Panel seeks school funding reforms
News Journal – December 4, 2008
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081204/NEWS03/812040358/-1/archive
1 in 5 young adults has personality disorder, study finds
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http://delawareonline.com/article/20081202/HEALTH/81202002/-1/archive
Newborn screening finds rare metabolic condition
November 25, 2008 – News Journal
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081125/HEALTH/811250325/-1/archive
Despite the good news, we need to know more to find a workable fix
November 24, 2008 – News Journal
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081124/OPINION11/811240317/-1/archive
How to help kids learn how to give
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Room for harmony
November 24, 2008 – News Journal
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081124/NEWS03/311240008/-1/archive
Leadership is just second nature
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http://delawareonline.com/article/20081120/NEWS/811200331/-1/archive
Cape students have a ball in journalism class
November 20, 2008 – News Journal
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081120/NEWS03/811200329/-1/archive
In Lake Forest, education comes first
November 20, 2008 – News Journal
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081120/NEWS03/811200330/-1/archive
Law keeping teens from rushing to say 'I do'
November 20, 2008 – News Journal
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081120/NEWS02/811200346/-1/archive
Students dial up deep-sea adventure
November 20, 2008 – News Journal
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081120/NEWS08/311200014/-1/archive
Kids learn how to get there from here
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http://delawareonline.com/article/20081120/NEWS03/811200361/-1/archive
Girl Scouts seek food, toy donations
November 13, 2008 – News Journal
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081113/NEWS/811130314
State graded on health care disparities
November 13, 2008 – News Journal
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081113/HEALTH/811130371/-1/archive
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The health of
children is another
important federal
investment
October 22, 2008 –
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http://delawareonline.com/article/20081022/OPINION11/810220311/-1/archive
UD's new institute
is a gift to early
childhood education
in Delaware
October 20, 2008 -
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http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20081020/OPINION11/810200316/1112
NCCo housing access
law under fire
October 14, 2008
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081014/NEWS02/810140371/-1/archive
For 8-year-old, a
fast track to
success
October 13, 2008
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081013/SPORTS11/810130319/-1/archive
Kids' vitamin D
recommendation
doubles
October 13, 2008
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081013/HEALTH/810130326/-1/archive
Kids' activities
needn't break the
bank
October 13, 2008
http://delawareonline.com/article/20081013/LIFE/810130308/-1/archive
Childbirth costs on
the rise in U.S.
October 8, 2008 –
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Guidelines issued
for kids' cold meds
October 8, 2008 –
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http://delawareonline.com/article/20081008/HEALTH/810080350/-1/archive
Vision 2015 touted
as critical to
upgrading education
in Del.
October 3, 2008 –
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http://delawareonline.com/article/20081003/NEWS03/810030353/-1/archive
Grant aids Del.'s
child poverty fight
September 29, 2008 -
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manners do count
September 29, 2008 -
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http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080928/NEWS03/809280301/-1/archive
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parents choose
September 29, 2008 -
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http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080928/NEWS03/809280381/-1/archive
Commentary: A better
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world's babies -
CNN.com*
Del. employers tops
with moms
September 23, 2008 –
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September 23, 2008 –
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Gamer nation: Nearly
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September 22, 2008 –
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Teen 'Idol'
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positive messages
September 15, 2008 –
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linger
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with serious medical
problems
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http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080909/HEALTH/809090343/-1/archive
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school
September 3, 2008 –
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http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080903/OPINION07/809030330/-1/archive
Overweight teens at
risk of liver damage
September 3, 2008 –
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Event on children's
Social Security
disability
September 3, 2008 –
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http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080903/HEALTH/309030009/-1/archive
Chicago
students protest
funding inequality
September 3, 2008 –
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http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080903/NEWS03/809030382/-1/archive
A bitter truth about
kids and food
September 2, 2008 –
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http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080902/HEALTH/809020317/-1/archive
Grandparents footing
back-to-school bills
September 2, 2008 –
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Fewer boys born in
tough economic times
September 2, 2008 –
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http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080901/LIFE/809010313/-1/archive
Carper talks fitness
with kids
August 28, 2008 –
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Free backpacks,
haircuts, food for
school
August 26, 2008 –
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Schools want parents
informed, engaged
August 26, 2008 –
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A new school close
to home
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Local students get
chance to learn
magical media
secrets
August 26, 2008 –
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http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080826/LIFE/808260301/-1/archive
Vitamin D Deficiency
May Lurk in Babies
August 25, 2008 –
New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/health/research/26rick.html?_r=1&ei=5070&emc=eta-1&oref=slogin
Talk with
children about
cyberbullying
(August 19, 2008
- News Journal)
http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/HEALTH/808190324/-1/archive
No sugar-coating
inconsiderate
parents' behavior at
kids' birthday
parties
(August 19, 2008
- News Journal)
http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/LIFE/808190303/-1/archive
Invest in children's health now
-- or pay later
(August 17, 2008 - News Journal)
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200808170345/OPINION09/808170316
Many kids' meals are nutritional
nightmares
(August
5, 2008 – News Journal)
http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080805/HEALTH/808050378/-1/archive
Bright
Futures Start with High Standards
(August 3, 2008 – News Journal)
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visits ease students' fears
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day care lets parents focus
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State
rates 189 public schools
(August 3, 2008 – News Journal)http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080802/NEWS/80802012/-1/archive
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