EMBRACE a Better Future for Older Foster Youth

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Our recently commissioned study documents that Black and brown youth in the foster system face unique challenges that can significantly impact their mental health, often compounded by systemic racism, social stigma, and economic disparities. Mental health support involving mentors who are not licensed therapists but possess specialized skills and knowledge can play crucial roles in addressing these needs, in a cost-effective way.
As the US grapples with the mental health crisis for young people, it is crucial to find additional ways to support these adolescents. The gap in service provision is further exacerbated in the fragmented foster care system, where coordination between child welfare agencies, mental health providers, and foster families is often lacking.
When youth have ongoing, caring relationships, they have access to guidance, support, help, and improved psychosocial, behavioral, and academic outcomes. Supportive people can mitigate the long-term health effects of trauma.

Kidsave’s research determined barriers to adult mentorship opportunities—specifically among Black and brown communities—and is poised to integrate specialized training into its successful and proven “Weekend Miracles” model, targeted to willing, capable adult mentors.
Mentors receiving specialized training help integrate community resources and address systemic barriers.
Grant funding will support: new content in our training sessions focusing on trauma-informed, culturally competent support; and creation of more peer-to-peer training and support opportunities.
Outcomes include:
1. Increasing by 50% the number of trauma-trained, culturally competent mentors attuned to the needs and conditions of older Black and brown youth in foster care in LA county;
2. Increasing expertise of mentors by providing training (by those with significant experience working with target youth) on the impact of trauma, implicit bias and cultural competencies;
3. Increase the number of older Black and brown foster youth who can identify at least one consistent, supportive adult presence in their life;
4. Increase the number of target youth who report increased assurance that they can address challenges;
5. Increased numbers of peer-to-peer supportive adults with culturally competent training who support mentors.
The goal for every child in our program is adoption, legal guardianship, or a lifelong mentoring relationship. The proposed enhancement augments skills that are desperately needed.

Of 30,000 LA children receiving child welfare services; over 15,500 live in out-of-home placement; only half receive mental health support. Kidsave focuses on kids whose family reunification efforts have failed, who have been in 5+ placements, have severe housing instability and trust issues—in other words, the hardest kids to serve. Histories of abuse and neglect make it extremely difficult for older foster youth to take a chance on building a relationship with an adult who might disappoint them. Kidsave staff takes time to listen and help youth prepare to take a chance. One caring person in a child’s life can improve their chances to achieve their academic goals, have a supportive person to turn to in times of crisis, and increase opportunities to become successful adults.The program is eminently scalable in the largest foster system in the nation’s largest county. Thousands of adults can be mobilized. As each individual reaches their fullest potential, the entire community benefits.

Kidsave launched EMBRACE (Expanding Meaningful Black Relationships And Creating Equity) to help understand and improve the experience for Black youth and families involved with the child welfare system. Since 2005, 565+ older foster youth have been referred by DCFS; 71% of participants have been matched for adoption, legal guardianship, or long-term connection. Nearly 600 families/individuals interested in hosting/mentoring or becoming adoptive families are supported each year. Daily, 100 potential hosts and adoptive families are served.
Outcomes are tracked using these and other measures: # youth exiting the program with a Host; length of Host relationships; type of placement of youth with Host (e.g., foster parent, extended family member, legal guardianship, adoption); # youth matched with trained adult; # youth in process of adoption or legal guardianship; youth and adult satisfaction with Kidsave experience; DCFS social worker satisfaction with “Weekend Miracles Los Angeles.”