I worked 34+ years in the school system as a teacher, counselor and principal. During this time, I had the opportunity to observe the students that were in the foster care system. As I can attest to the fact they are not prepared to be on their own. They do not have the ability to support themselves financially, mentally, or physically. A program for these young people needs to be established to give them the opportunity to transition into adults. They have not matured to the point where they cans navigate the system on their own. I suggest the development of a transition program for them to develop the skills needed for living on their own. It should include transitional housing, counseling, finance, job searching technique and continuing education. A wrap around program of sort... Mary James
Without the support of my dad who couldn't read my mind, I was deemed incorrigible by juvenile courts for running away from home at an early age. This was the start of my character being built by juvenile halls, foster homes, group homes, jails and institutions. Though I managed to graduate high school and a get a job, my character was still in the midst of irresponsibility with things I was given the privilege to manage and responsibility to adhere to. Its only when humility found its way into the picture which helped me listen, identify, repent, and exemplify progress towards building a character which has sustained me to obtain a career as a Public Safety Communication Network Operations System Technician ll. I went from a job with minimal character to a career with progressive character. I believe the motivation and passion exemplary of "BC Outreach Programs" is needed to bridge the gap for so many youths like myself during my adolescent, pre-teen and teenage years to help make the contingencies to find their identity in becoming forceful productive individuals in our society which will leave a legacy built on building character... DJ
As a retired social worker and therapist for over twenty years, I have seen all to many children that age out of foster care lacking life skills that will prepare them to enter into the world with the opportunity to be successful going forward. It is essential that there needs to be more programs to prepare our youth for what lies ahead of them. Not only programs that will give them those skills such as: how to create a resume, conduct themselves on an interview, balance a bank account but also the need for high self esteem and positive regard for others. If we don't have programs to address these needs, then we are only going to further contribute to the homeless population, crime and suicide. The need for transitional housing programs is now and the time is NOW! ... Nate Wilson MA; MS
I worked for the Vallejo City Unified School District as a high school teacher and district administrator for over 40 years. After I retired, I spent another 13 years as the Director of Community Services for a large nonprofit. My job there was to hire case managers to provide "wrap around" services for pregnant and parenting teens, some of whom had been in the foster care system. While a classroom teacher, I also had foster care youth in my class. From my experience, the placement of a young person in a loving, caring and supportive home environment is key, and unfortunately, it doesn't always happen. On two occasions, I have had to intervene and have the student removed from an unsatisfactory placement to one that better fit their needs. Even under the best conditions, foster care services stop when the young person ages out at 18. Unless there have been changes for the better, in my experience, I do not see that there were adequate efforts to educate and prepare a young client to transition to independent living. It was "sink or swim" and more frequently than not, left to their own devices, the outcome for a healthy, functioning adulthood was poor. This is why, I am so supportive of a program like the BC Outreach Program, which is designed to provide a bridge to adulthood through education and transitional housing. BC Outreach Programs has great potential to fill a desperate need- to prevent young people from falling victim to the streets and ensure that young people, just out of foster care, reach their full potential as adults. ... Jewel Fink
In my experience, youth being in and out the system, has no follow-up after being aged out the foster care system. A transitional housing program will guide their clients in the right direction, give life lessons that will lead to a positive outlook on life. ... Dennis Kennedy
Most youth coming out of the foster care system turn to whatever they can whether it's drugs, crimes or homelessness to survive. They need "THP'S" to continue to educate as well as teach basic living skills such as shopping for groceries, cooking, budgeting, making their own appointments and not be afraid to ask for assistance when their mental health is at risk. ... Kenneth Mack
