Preparation of youth in congregate care for independent living |
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| Authors: | Madelyn Freundlich Rosemary J Avery† Deborah Padgett‡ |
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| Institution: | Child Welfare Consultant, Excal Consulting Partners LLC, New York,;Professor and Chair, Department of Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, and;Professor, New York University School of Social Work, New York, NY, USA |
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| Abstract: | This paper reports on findings from a qualitative study that focused on the quality and adequacy of preparation of youth in congregate care for independent living. This study, conducted in New York, NY, USA, explored the extent to which youth feel prepared to leave care and the opportunities they are given to participate in planning and decision‐making regarding issues that personally affect their future. Interviews were conducted with professionals and young adults who had exited foster care after placements in congregate care settings. Both professionals and young adults stated concerns about the quality of independent living preparation. Many young adults stated that they were not ready to live independently and expressed concerns about failure of staff to begin preparing youth sufficiently in advance of their discharge dates. Young adults also reported limited opportunities to participate in the planning and decision‐making processes affecting them. Recommendations for improvement of independent living preparation are proposed. |
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| Keywords: | congregate care independent living preparation |
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