NEWSROOM
September 24, 2019
Youth Aging Out of Foster Care Making Successful Transition to Adulthood
Increases in education attainment, full-time employment, and secure housing are among the improved outcomes highlighted in the most recent annual report on Iowa’s Aftercare programfor former foster youth. Prepared by the Youth Policy Institute of Iowa, the annual report includes detailed information on the outcomes of services provided by the Iowa Aftercare Services Network. The Network supports some of the most vulnerable young people in our state – those who have been involved in the child welfare (foster care) or juvenile justice systems.[read more]
June 17, 2019
Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier
Iowa owes foster kids Aftercare
Each year approximately 500 teens age out of foster care in Iowa, 25 percent report being homeless within the first two to four years and 50 percent are unemployed. Now is the time we as a community need to learn more about foster care and take action to better support youths. [read more]
January 31, 2018
Ending Youth Homelessness in Polk County
Youth Policy Institute of Iowa presents Ending Youth Homelessness: A Plan to Ensure Housing Safety and Stability for Youth and Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness in Polk County on behalf of the Polk County Continuum of Care Board (CoCB) and Iowa Homeless Youth Centers (IHYC). The plan represents months’ worth of discussion and ideas, data analysis, and examination of best practices from a wide range of stakeholders with commitment and guidance from youth, direct service providers, funders, and policy makers.
Andrea Dencklau, Senior Policy Associate at YPII, facilitated the community planning process and synthesized input from dozens of stakeholders to craft the strategies and activities included in the plan. “Our work does not end with the completion of this plan, in fact it is just beginning” commented Dencklau when the plan was finalized and presented to the CoCB. A newly formed Implementation Team, under the CoCB, will be responsible for maintaining momentum on the plan’s strategies, tracking and communicating progress, and convening stakeholders as needed. [Plan Summary]
January 17, 2018
InSights: An Iowa Youth Advocacy Agenda
The Youth Policy Institute of Iowa was honored to support young leaders in the development of InSights: An Iowa Youth Advocacy Agenda. InSights presents the views of young people who have experienced foster care, and offers their recommendations for positive changes to Iowa’s child welfare system.
Youth offer a number of recommendations related to both policy and practice changes. Key legislators were provided a copy of InSights at the beginning of this year’s session. Among the issues included in the Advocacy Agenda that require legislative action are:
- Continuing/increasing funding for AMP (Achieving Maximum Potential)
- Paving the way for youth in care to obtain driver’s licenses
- Increasing transition and first-year supports for college-bound foster students
- Exploring the extension of foster care in Iowa to age 21
Youth are anxious to share their perspectives with those who can help facilitate change. Youth Policy Institute of Iowa met with administrators from the state Department of Human Services, including Director Jerry Foxhoven, to discuss InSights. One of the young people responsible for creating InSights, Gabriella San Elias, led a very powerful discussion involving her experiences while in care.