Young Women's Freedom Center’s Post

My article has been published as a web exclusive for Social Work Today. Check it out and learn more about children in Foster Care and Juvenile Justice involvement. https://lnkd.in/eaMwR6SW #fostercare #childwelfare #socialwork #socialproblem #DSW

In Kern County, approximately 2,000 children of all ages, diverse backgrounds, and varying needs have been removed from their own homes because of parental neglect, abuse, or exploitation. These children require temporary foster care, while the Probation Department and the Department of Human Services work with birth parents to build parenting and life skills designed to allow children to return home safely. We rely on relative and non-relative Resource Families to provide a stable and supportive family environment to the children under their care. RFA is a family-friendly and child-centered caregiver approval process that combines elements of the current foster parent licensing, relative approval, and approvals for adoption and guardianship processes and replaces those processes. The RFA process improves the way caregivers (related and non-related) of children in foster care are approved and prepared to parent vulnerable children, whether temporarily or permanently. Our probation youth are in need of available RFA families. If you are interested in making a change in a child’s life and you want more information on becoming a Resource Parent or to sign up for an orientation, please call (661) 631-6204. #KernProbation #YouthPlacementSupervision #RFAFamilies #KinFirst #KernCounty

👨👩👧👦 Rebuilding Family Connections After Incarceration 👨👩👧👦 I had the privilege of facilitating a workshop with incredible agency leaders who are on the frontlines of helping individuals transition from prison back into their children’s lives. Family reunification after incarceration is a delicate process, and with the right support, it can lead to powerful healing. Here are 3 essential tips we shared during the workshop: 1. Start with Open Communication – Honest conversations between parents and children create the foundation for rebuilding relationships. It’s important to acknowledge past pain and create a space for healing. 2. Support Both Sides – Both the parent and the child need emotional and practical support. Agencies must work to address the unique needs of both to foster a healthy reconnection. 3. Incorporate Family Engagement Programs – Providing opportunities for structured family interactions during the transition can help rebuild the bond in a safe, supportive environment. We are committed to ensuring successful family reunification and supporting those coming home in rebuilding their most important relationships. #FamilyFirst #PrisonReentry #ReunificationSupport #Path2Redemption #BreakingTheCycle #ReEntrySuccess #PostIncarcerationHealing

Stand as a guardian for vulnerable lives! Children in foster care, grappling with instabilities and trauma, become prime targets for traffickers. It's time to amplify their voices. If you witness anything concerning, be their advocate and report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Join us in constructing a protective shield around those who need it most, elevating awareness to safeguard the future. #endtrafficking #endhumantrafficking #humantraffickingawarenessmonth #humantrafficking #childtrafficking #endchildtrafficking

We are sending more youth in foster care to prison than to college. In fact, the term "foster care to prison pipeline" was devised to explain the extreme number of youth in foster care who wind up in the criminal justice system. 90% of youth with 5+ placements (meaning, a child who has five or more different foster homes) will enter the criminal justice system. As many as 1 in 4 inmates are a product of foster care (and some states report much higher numbers). This is why we are so passionate about every child knowing the stability of a loving, lasting family. And why we partner with ministries that stand with the people who were not afforded this right. #fostercare #prisonpipeline #familypreservation #reunification

Does family support affect the likelihood of reoffending? Yes, it does. But let's dive deeper into this topic and understand its complexities. Sometimes we tend to assume that individuals who leave prison and return home to their families have a strong support system in place. We think, "Oh man, they're going right back home and they got their family." However, it's important to recognize that family support goes beyond just having a place to stay. ⚫ Sometimes the environment at home may not be conducive to positive change or personal growth. It could be an unhealthy household where temptations are prevalent or where negative influences persist. Family support is undoubtedly crucial for reducing reoffending rates but only if the structure is strong! Having supportive family members who know about available resources and can provide guidance can make all the difference in helping someone reintegrate successfully into society after incarceration. When the family has connections within their community, they can tap into various resources such as job opportunities, educational programs, counseling services, or even financial assistance. These connections greatly enhance an individual's chances of staying on track and avoiding relapse. So remember: Family support alone might not always guarantee successful rehabilitation; it needs to come from a solid foundation! Let's work towards creating stronger networks of support for those seeking second chances by fostering resilient communities that empower both individuals and families affected by incarceration. Together we can break cycles and create brighter futures! #SecondChances #RehabilitationMatters #StrongerFamilies #CommunitySupport

Family reunification is a critical step in the reintegration process for individuals transitioning out of incarceration. The support and stability that a family provides can make all the difference in helping someone successfully rebuild their life. This is where residential reentry centers (RRCs) play a vital role. RRCs offer more than just a place to stay; they provide a structured environment that helps individuals reconnect with their loved ones. Through family counseling, community resources, and support networks, these centers facilitate meaningful reunions that strengthen the bonds essential for a positive reentry into society. Family ties are a key factor in reducing recidivism and promoting long-term success. By offering a bridge between incarceration and full community integration, residential reentry centers help ensure that those returning to society do so with the support they need to thrive. Let’s continue to support programs that prioritize family reunification, as they are crucial in helping individuals rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities.

Just some facts - did you know that only 50% of foster kids actually graduate from high school? Of those, only 3% go to college and only 1% will end up graduating from college? The prison system is filled with 1.6 million inmates, of those, 1.2 million were in the foster care system. That is over 80% of incarcerated inmates were foster kids at some point in their lives!!!!! In 2006 $23billion was spent on the Child welfare system - - but $78billion was spent on the prison system!!!! Our systems are broken! What if we spent some of that money on kids BEFORE they go into the prison system? What if we help these kids when they truly need out help - not after its too late! Let's give these kids something to believe in! Teach them how to believe in themselves! We can do better! We WILL do better! This is Me wants to give kids something to be proud of. It isn't the answer but its a small step in the right direction. To give these foster kids an identity. To tell them they DO exist - what's more - they DO MATTER!

Unfortunately, many children coming into foster care have experienced sexual abuse and sexual violence Our foster carers are trained to understand the impact this can have on children and young people Knowing what to expect, how to deal with it and being prepared for potentially upsetting disclosures enables our carers to be supportive and provide a safe space for children to talk about their experiences and find a way to heal #SexualAbuseAndSexualViolenceAwarenessWeek2024 #TraumaInformedCare #AbuseAwareness

👨👧👦 Honoring Fathers 👨👧👦 let’s reflect on the challenges faced by fathers who have children with parents experiencing incarceration or who are currently incarcerated. In 2016, 47% of individuals currently experiencing incarceration in state facilities and 57% in federal facilities were parents of minor children, predominantly fathers. By 2020, half of all individuals experiencing incarceration in state facilities were parents of children under 18. Despite being separated, 67% of individuals in state facilities who have or have had a parent experiencing incarceration continue to parent. However, many struggle to maintain regular contact with their children. About 95% of individuals return to the community after experiencing incarceration annually. However, these fathers often encounter significant hurdles as they seek to resume their family roles and societal responsibilities. Let's recognize their resilience and advocate for support systems fostering successful reentry and reunification. Happy Father's Day to all fathers, including those on their journey toward reconnection and renewal! 🌟 #FathersDay #SupportFathers #ReentrySupport Data pulled from this article and backlinks within the article containing further data. https://buff.ly/4c1LQHC)