Helping children, families, and communities grow stronger together.
Making It Possible
What should child welfare agencies consider as they work with and actively support youth in permanency-related policymaking and systems reform?
learn more>Resources and Tools
The Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services recently released a summary of the 2006 National Convening on Youth Permanence (PDF).
Hear “Voices from the Inside.”
Advocacy tips for teens from FosterClub.
Youth and Family Perspectives
A growing number of foster care alumni are organizing to improve foster care.
read more >Engaging Youth in Achieving and Sustaining Permanence
Getting with the Plan: Strategies to Involve Youth in Planning their Futures
Child welfare professionals historically made all decisions about foster youth's futures. Today, the role of young people is being redefined - not as passive recipients of agency decisions, but as active participants in their own permanency planning and decision making.
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Surprising New Alliances: Involving Youth in Policy and Advocacy
Young people in foster care offer personal perspectives that can inform agencies, legislators, and other key policymakers about the need for family permanence and solid preparation for adulthood. As the ultimate "consumers," youth can provide agencies, legislatures, and communities with vital perspectives on what is "working" and what is not. As you seek experts to guide your work, remember to include youth in foster care.
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The Courts: Keeping Young People Involved and Aware
Involving youth in their own court cases is crucial: Judges' decisions have far reaching consequences in their lives. Learn how some courts keep young people aware of the status of their legal cases.
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State Spotlight
“I enjoy working with [Iowa’s] Department of Human Services because it feels like someone is finally listening to me, and they aren’t just listening, they are actually doing something about it.” — Lorisha, Elevate2Inspire, Iowa
Archive
- View Current Issue
- From Innovation to Action
September 2008, Volume 2 - Court Reforms that Support Youth in Achieving Lifelong Families
February-March 2008, Volume 2 - Engaging Youth in Achieving and Sustaining Permanence
November 2007, Volume 1
About Connections Count
Produced by the Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services, Connections Count is an electronic newsletter focusing on best practices, tools, research, and data on youth permanence in child welfare.
read more>Contact Us
Casey Family Services
127 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Tel: 203.401.6900
Fax: 203.401.6901