THE NEW FOSTER CARE

THE BRIDGE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMMUNITY TEAM BUNDLED SERVICES IN WAYNE, OAKLAND, AND MACOMB COUNTIES TO RESIDENTS AGED 14-29 YEARS OLD IN FOSTER CARE, WHO HAVE AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE, OR WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILED PERMANENCY PLANS. REFERRALS CAN BE MADE BY SELF-REFERRAL OR COMMUNITY/AGENCY. SERVICES ARE DELIVERED USING THE RESEARCH SUPPORTED TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE PROCESS MODEL. THIS MODEL ALLOWS FOR A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM WORKING IN CONJUNCTION AND WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE A LICENSED THERAPIST, TRANSITION NAVIGATOR TO FUNCTION AS A CASE MANAGER, A PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST WITH LIVED FOSTER CARE EXPERIENCE, AND A LEGAL SPECIALIST.THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SERVICES INCLUDE A) ENGAGING CLIENTS IN THEIR OWN FUTURES PLANNING PROCESS; B) PROVIDING THEM WITH DEVELOPMENTALLY-APPROPRIATE, NON-STIGMATIZING, CULTURALLY-COMPETENT, TRAUMA-INFORMED, AND APPEALING SERVICES AND SUPPORTS; C) INVOLVING THE YOUNG PEOPLE, AND AS RELEVANT, THEIR FAMILIES (OF ORIGIN OR FOSTER) AND OTHER INFORMAL KEY PLAYERS, IN A PROCESS THAT PREPARES AND FACILITATES THEIR MOVEMENT TOWARD GREATER SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT & CAREER, HOUSING, TIES TO THE COMMUNITY, AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.102 UNIQUE AND ELIGBLE CLIENTS ENGAGED IN SERVICES. THERE WERE 485 IN-PERSON VISITS CONDUCTED WITH CLIENTS SERVICED, TOTALING 990 HOURS OF DIRECT CLIENT CONTACT. 100% OF THE BRIDGE WORKFORCE HAS BEEN TRAINED ON THE TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE PROCESS MODEL. ONE ALUMNI CLIENT WAS HIRED AS PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST (PSS), ONE ALUMNI CLIENT WAS PROMOTED FROM PSS TO TRANSITION NAVIGATOR (SOCIAL WORKER).

THE NEW FOSTER CARE HAS COMMITTED TO FUNDING THE KINSHIP CONNECTIONS PILOT, A 3-YEAR CULTURALLY COMPETENT KINSHIP PLACEMENT, SUPPORT, AND LICENSING SERVICES PILOT PROGRAM BASED ON THE MODEL DEVELOPED BY A SECOND CHANCE INC (ASC), IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. THE PILOT SERVICES ARE DELIVERED BY ORCHARDS CHILDREN'S SERVICES IN OAKLAND AND WAYNE (SOUTH CENTRAL) COUNTIES. THE NEW FOSTER CARE HAS MADE THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS: 1) CONTRACTING WITH A SECOND CHANCE, INC. TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING TO MDHHS AND ORCHARDS CHILDREN'S SERVICES; AND 2) OVERSEEING THE EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM TO DETERMINE ITS SUCCESS AND ANY RETURN ON INVESTMENT REALIZED.THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PILOT PROGRAM IS TO A) LOCATE APPROPRIATE KINSHIP FAMILY FOR OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN.; B) PROVIDE SUPPORT TO KINSHIP CARE PROVIDERS AND FACILITATE CONNECTIONS TO PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO ASSIST THEM IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN; C) ASSIST KINSHIP CARE PROVIDERS IN MEETING STATE FOSTER PARENT LICENSING REQUIREMENTS; D) SUPPORT PARENTS TO EXPEDITE PERMANENCY PLANNING.277 UNIQUE AND ELIGIBLE CHILDREN RECEIVED FAMILY FINDING/ENGAGEMENT SERVICES, OF THOSE CHILDREN 219 WERE PLACED WITH KINSHIP PROVIDERS WHO BENEFITED FROM DIRECT SERVICE SUPPORT. 74% OF CHILDREN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO ABUSE/NEGLECT IN OAKLAND COUNTY AND 80% IN WAYNE COUNTY WERE PLACED WITH KINSHIP PROVIDERS. THERE WAS AN AVERAGE OF 561 DAYS REDUCED IN LENGTH OF STAY OF PILOT CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, WHO ACHIEVED PERMANENCY.