Empowering Training for Youth Entering the Foster Care System

Book excerpt: Abstract: This curriculum aims to enlighten social workers and other mental health practitioners about the diverse needs foster care youth face, primarily upon entering the child welfare system. A review of literature suggests foster care youth continue to be amongst the most fragile and vulnerable members of society. This young population encounters extensive needs including safety, security, sense of belonging, love, and in many instances basic provisions such as food and shelter. The overarching goal of this curriculum is to help implement a system, which will empower foster care youth to succeed through the many challenges they face in out-of-home care. To successfully accomplish this goal the curriculum provides training modules on topics such as: understanding the child welfare system, establishing healthy relationships, positive communication and empowerment tools for success. The Empowering Training for Youth Entering the Foster Care System will give social workers and social service advocates, essential tools to effectively empower foster care youth as they first enter the child welfare system.