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PLENARY SESSIONS FROM THE 2006 NATIONAL CONVENING ON YOUTH PERMANENCE

During the 2006 National Convening, four plenary sessions were presented:

Youth Perspectives on Permanence

The California Permanence for Youth Experience

Effective Court and Legal Partnerships to Achieve Permanence for Older Children and Youth

Working with the Media

For more information on any of the plenary sessions presented at the Convening, please contact convening@caseyfamilyservices.org.

1. YOUTH PERSPECTIVES ON PERMANENCE

Lauren Frey, Project Manager, the Casey Center for Effective Child Welfare Practice; Daniel Knapp, Conference Director and Youth Communication Coordinator, FosterClub; Nancy O'Reilly, young adult; and Nadege Mardy Breeden, young adult.

In this panel discussion, youth shared their insights and ideas on the importance of building family relationships and connections with older children and youth in foster care. Convening participants joined the panelists in exploring opportunities, challenges, and recommendations.

Video excerpts of two youth panelists: James and Nancy (Video 1 and Video 2).

2. THE CALIFORNIA PERMANENCE FOR YOUTH EXPERIENCE

Cyndee Borges-O’Dell, Supervisor, Community Services Agency; Barbara LaHaie, Program Manager, Humboldt County California Child Welfare Services; Trevlene Blood, Social Worker, Humboldt County California Child Welfare Services; Robin Luckett, Program Manager, Alameda County California Department of Social Services; and Adrienne Olson, Assistant Regional Administrator, Los Angeles County California Department of Children and Family Services

Harry Spence, commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Social Services, served as the respondent for this session, which was moderated by Pat Reynolds-Harris, program director, and Mardi Louisell, consultant, California Permanency for Youth Project.

Panelists, with leadership from California counties, focused on implementing improved policies and practices related to youth permanence and offer reflections about lessons learned and recommendations.

Resources:
Steps in Youth Permanence Work with State and Counties (PPT)

3. EFFECTIVE COURT AND LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS TO ACHIEVE PERMANENCE FOR OLDER CHILDREN AND YOUTH

The Honorable William Thorne Jr., Utah Court of Appeals; Robert Harris, Public Guardian, Cook County Illinois Public Guardian’s Office; Elizabeth Fassler, Litigation Supervisor, Center for Family Representation, Inc.; Jennifer Rodriquez, Legislative and Policy Coordinator, California Youth Connection.

Moderated by Gary Stangler, executive director, Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative.

Panelists involved in the court and legal process discussed strategies for achieving meaningful and timely permanency outcomes for older children and youth in foster care.

Resources:
Child Law Practice: Helping Lawyers Help Kids (PDF)

California Youth Connection: Policy Recommendations to Facilitate Foster Youth
Participation in Court Hearings (PDF)

California Youth Connection: Tips on Preparing Foster Youth to Participate in Court (PDF)

4. WORKING WITH THE MEDIA

Rachel Jones, Reporter, National Public Radio; Nell Bernstein, Journalist and Author; Kathy Bonk, Executive Director, Communications Consortium Media Center; Steven Holmes, Deputy National Editor, the Washington Post; and Nora McCarthy, from Represent and Rise magazines.

Moderated by Judy Woodruff, special correspondent, the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.

Panelists explored trends in media coverage of child welfare, youth, and family issues and offered insights into how to build productive working relationships with journalists.