Description
Youth Connections resource center is a central location in downtown Nashville for youth between the ages of 16 and 26 who are currently or formerly in foster care. They can receive assistance with housing, employment, well-being, school, life skills classes, mentoring, and financial planning. Youth Connections offers a family-like support system for this vulnerable and typically under-served population.
Budget
$497,177.00
Category
Human Services, General/Other Services for Specific Populations
Population Served
At-Risk Populations, Poor,Economically Disadvantaged,Indigent,
Short Term Success
The youth participating in the programs at Youth Connections have demonstrated increased knowledge and awareness of available supports and services in the community. Data from participant surveys show that 94% of the participants now know where to go to access information and resources. This important education allows the youth to independently access health care, insurance, housing and other local support.
Long term Success
Youth Connections is a teen center focused on youth who have aged-out of state custody. It is one of only 15 such centers in the country.
Research shows that the average age of independence in the United States is 26; however, young people in state custody are expected to be independent and successful at only 18 years old. There are just under 1,000 youth in Tennessee who “age out” of the foster care system each year. In the Middle Tennessee region alone, approximately 700 children age 17 were in foster care.
Youth Connections brings together people and resources to give foster youth a successful foundation, filling the gap of what a family would typically do for a young person transitioning to independence. YC helps youth find and access the resources they need to live independent and useful lives. Our goals are to expand access to opportunities in employment, education, housing, and health care for youth in foster care; create opportunities for civic engagement and encourage young people to help others; and to provide links to personal networks of caring adults and other young people. The long term goal for all the young people we serve is to become independent, productive members of our community.
Program Success Monitored By
This program has been tracking outcomes since it was launched in 2002.
It is a best practice to make sure that all decisions we make that are important to this program are based on the collection, analysis and interpretation of data. For example, we have begun to focus on transportation because we learned from the youth survey that less than half of our participants (18-24) have a drivers’ license, which could be a huge barrier to participating in work or school.
We found that 1 out of 3 do not have a diploma or GED, so we are working to promote the GED program at Youth Connections, while working with DCS on the bigger systemic issues at hand. The youth survey is a rich source of information for determining needed door openers. In addition, this information can be used to impact systemic issues.
In addition to consulting with the youth council, the coordinators conduct short quarterly surveys to gather qualitative data on ways to strengthen the program, increase survey responses, and gain more insight for program participants.
Examples of Program Success
Jasmine feels that one of her dreams has finally come true. She said that being a car owner is a step closer to ”proving your independence.” Now that she’s able to take herself to school, doctor’s appointments and visit friends without having to rely on other people; she is more self- sufficient. ”Thanks to Youth Connections for lightening the load by providing me with match money to purchase my vehicle."
Description
Foster Care and Adoption Services matches children in state custody with an approved foster family. Our goal is for the children to achieve permanency through reunification, kinship care, or adoption. Families in this program receive one-on-one support from a Monroe Harding case manager.
Budget
$2,203,578.00
Category
Human Services, General/Other Foster Care
Population Served
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years), ,
Long term Success
A goal of permanency through reunification or adoption is critical to the program’s success.
Description
Our Independent Living Apartments provide safe, affordable housing for young adults aged 18-21 who are transitioning from the foster care system. These apartments in the community provide youth with support so that they can work, go to school, and continue to work on life skills with the guidance of skilled and caring professionals. Through continued education, vocational training, life skills lessons, and the support and guidance of caring adults, they can make a smooth and successful transition into life on their own.
Budget
$512,981.00
Category
Housing, General/Other Transitional Housing
Population Served
At-Risk Populations, Adults, Poor,Economically Disadvantaged,Indigent
Long term Success
Program long term success is for the young adults to complete a post-secondary education plan, obtain employment, and move into permanent, safe, and stable housing while becoming financially independent.
Examples of Program Success
Lindsay is a young man currently living in one of these homes. Here is his story:
"Monroe Harding’s Independent Living Program has helped me a great deal. I originally came from Springfield, TN and aged out of the system here in Nashville. I thought I could make it on my own, but as I began to struggle I learned that Monroe Harding had a program for people like me. The Independent Living Program has helped me achieve such things as budgeting, managing a checking and savings account; setting up and scheduling doctor’s appointments, learning to work together as a team and helping others in the community. I have learned to be more self- sufficient, so I will be prepared to exit the program and be successful in life. The staff at Monroe Harding is easy to work with and very open-hearted and willing to work with all youth to get us on the path towards success. Thank You". Lindsay W.