Leaving Alternative Care and Reintegration

It is important to support children who are preparing to leave care. This includes helping young people as they ‘age out’ of the care system and transition to independent living, as well as children planning to return home and reintegrate with their families. In either case, leaving care should be a gradual and supervised process that involves careful preparation and follow-up support to children and families.

The transition from alternative care to independent living can be challenging for young people. While some departures from care may be well planned, others may be sudden or unexpected, leaving young people emotionally and financially ill-equipped to cope with change. Without adequate preparation for leaving care and support during the aftercare phase, young people may face risks such as long-term unemployment, substance abuse, involvement in criminal activities and homelessness. Studies indicate that the biggest barriers to transitioning children out of care includes the absence of supportive relationships, educational challenges, housing instability and economic challenges (unemployment).

Reducing these risks involves working with children to plan for life after care and adulthood– including helping them to determine the most appropriate living environment, develop necessary life, financial management and job skills, and ensure that they have a reliable support system in place. Once children leave care, they should be encouraged to maintain contact with their previous care givers and friends, have access to basic services and quality housing with financial assistance, and be supported to follow educational, vocational and employment opportunities. Above all, evidence indicates that young people who benefit from gradual, extended and supported transitions from care have better outcomes than those who leave early and abruptly.

Girls and boys who leave care to return home can also benefit from a gradual process of reintegration with their families – both before and after the event. Initially this should involve a comprehensive assessment of whether the problems that led to family separation (such as poverty or social problems) have been adequately resolved, and whether a return home is in a child’s best interests. If so, the child, family and alternative caregivers should be supported to prepare and plan for reintegration – which may involve increasing the frequency and duration of children’s family visits before the final return, helping to build parenting skills, assessing families’ financial, practical and emotional support needs and developing a care plan to address them.

Once children are reunited with their families, ongoing support and supervision can play a critical role in ensuring that reintegration is lasting. For example social or community workers can provide counselling support, facilitate families’ access to social protection benefits and make sure that children have the academic support required to catch up at a new school. In some cases, children’s extended family and the broader community can also be encouraged to provide emotional or practical support.

This section contains literature on children leaving alternative care in non-emergency settings. This includes lessons learned and best practices regarding family reintegration, as well as guidance for supporting young people as they leave the care system and transition to independent living.

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Más autonomía, más derechos: Colombia

Asociación Colombiana de Egreso de Protección Estatal (ASCEP), Red Latinoamericana de Egresados de Protección, con DONCEL, Hope and Homes for Children y UNICEF, 01 Mar 2020

En este informe se presentan los resultados de la investigación llevada adelante en Colombia que tuvo por objetivo construir información sobre las principales políticas, medidas y acciones que se desarrollan a nivel regional orientadas a acompañar el egreso de adolescentes y jóvenes del sistema de cuidados alternativos e indagar respecto de su eficacia, efectividad, sostenibilidad y adecuación a un enfoque de derechos.

Más autonomía, más derechos: México

UDEM, UAMX, Fundación Pequeños Gigantes Mexicanos A.C., Red Latinoamericana de Egresados de Protección, con DONCEL, Hope and Homes for Children y UNICEF, 01 Mar 2020

En este informe se presentan los resultados de la investigación llevada adelante en México que tuvo por objetivo construir información sobre las principales políticas, medidas y acciones que se desarrollan a nivel regional orientadas a acompañar el egreso de adolescentes y jóvenes del sistema de cuidados alternativos e indagar respecto de su eficacia, efectividad, sostenibilidad y adecuación a un enfoque de derechos.

“If I’m Here, It’s Because I Do Not Have Anyone”: Social Support for the Biological Family during the Foster Care Process

Eduard Vaquero, M. Àngels Balsells, Carmen Ponce, Aida Urrea, Alicia Navajas - Social Sciences, 01 Mar 2020

The aims of this article were to identify the types and characteristics of social support for families in vulnerable situations and to analyze what elements influence families’ attitudes towards these supports.

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Más autonomía, más derechos: Bolivia

TIA Bolivia, Red Latinoamericana de Egresados de Protección, con DONCEL, Hope and Homes for Children y UNICEF, 01 Mar 2020

En este informe se presentan los resultados de la investigación llevada adelante en Bolivia que tuvo por objetivo construir información sobre las principales políticas, medidas y acciones que se desarrollan a nivel regional orientadas a acompañar el egreso de adolescentes y jóvenes del sistema de cuidados alternativos e indagar respecto de su eficacia, efectividad, sostenibilidad y adecuación a un enfoque de derechos.

Application of the Case Management Methodology Process: Guatemala Report

Changing the Way We Care, 01 Mar 2020

This document presents a summary of the process, results and lessons learned during a demonstration project in the department of Zacapa, Guatemala to implement best practices to prevent unnecessary family separation and strengthen families by identifying primary and specialized social services and bringing those services closer to the families.

Más autonomía, más derechos: Perú

Buckner Perú, Red Latinoamericana de Egresados de Protección, con DONCEL, Hope and Homes for Children y UNICEF, 01 Mar 2020

En este informe se presentan los resultados de la investigación llevada adelante en Perú que tuvo por objetivo construir información sobre las principales políticas, medidas y acciones que se desarrollan a nivel regional orientadas a acompañar el egreso de adolescentes y jóvenes del sistema de cuidados alternativos e indagar respecto de su eficacia, efectividad, sostenibilidad y adecuación a un enfoque de derechos.

A Guide to Community Strategies for Improving Emerging Adults’ Safety and Well-Being

Urban Institute, 01 Mar 2020

This guide summarizes findings from relevant literature on what helps emerging adults (including youth transitioning from foster care) succeed, describes examples of how US communities are innovating to meet those needs, and shares key takeaways from interviews with emerging adults.

Mais autonomia, mais dereitos: Brasil

Instituto Fazendo História, Red Latinoamericana de Egresados de Protección, con DONCEL, Hope and Homes for Children, UNICEF, 01 Mar 2020

Este relatório apresenta os resultados da pesquisa realizada no Brasil pelo Instituto Fazendo História com objetivo construir informações sobre as principais políticas, medidas e ações desenvolvidas no nível regional, visando acompanhar a saída de adolescentes e jovens do sistema de cuidados alternativos e indagar a sua eficácia, efetividade, sustentabilidade e adaptação a uma abordagem de direitos.

Former Foster System Youth: Perspectives on Transitional Supports and Programs

Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth, Molly Hahn-Floyd, Heather J. Williamson, Jonathan M. Kurka, Wonsuk Yoo & Sue A. Rodríguez De Jesús - The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 24 Feb 2020

In this pilot study, sixteen youth between ages 18 and 20 participated in semi-structured interviews, support mapping, and resiliency measurements to gather the experiences of the transition from foster care.

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The Roles of Campus-Support Programs (CSPs) and Education and Training Vouchers (ETVs) on College Persistence for Youth with Foster Care Histories

Nathanael J. Okpych, Sunggeun (Ethan) Park, A. M. Samiya Sayed, Mark E. Courtney - Children and Youth Services Review, 22 Feb 2020

This study draws on data from the [STUDY] and the National Student Clearinghouse to examine the roles that Education and Training Vouchers (ETVs) and campus support programs (CSPs) play in promoting college persistence for foster youth.

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