Better Futures: A validated model for increasing postsecondary preparation and participation of youth in foster care with mental health challenges

Phillips, Lee Ann; Powers, Laurie E.; Geenen, Sarah; Schmidt, Jessica; Winges-Yanez, Nichole; McNeely, Isha Charlie; Merritt, Lindsay; Williamson, Candis; Turner, Shannon; Zweben, Harry; Bodner, Celeste

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.07.010

Cited by 24 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Additionally, supporting new community ties may include first identifying activities or settings that youth are interested in and then facilitating their ongoing participation; supported experiential activities are a key component in evidence-based models to improve foster care outcomes (e.g., Phillips et al, 2015; Powers et al, 2018). Further, there is some evidence that shorter-term social participation interventions, primarily peer support groups and supported community activities, can improve social inclusion and interpersonal functioning among transition-age young people receiving mental health services (Webber & Fendt-Newlin, 2017), which is also a promising approach for older youth in foster care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding support network capacity during the transition from foster care: Youth-identified barriers, facilitators, and enhancement strategies

Blakeslee

Best

2019

Children and Youth Services Review

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This study explores how foster care experiences can impact support network functionality as young people exit the foster care system. This can be conceptualized as a function of both network member capacity to provide adequate support to address young adult needs, and network stability, which reflects cohesion within and across relationships to facilitate consistent support over time. We conducted support network mapping and semi-structured interviews with youth in foster care aged 16-20 (N=22) and used theoretical thematic analysis to explore support barriers and facilitators in relation to the organizing concepts of support capacity and network stability. Overall, support capacity was limited by interpersonal difficulties inhibiting the presence and supportiveness of some network members (including family members, informal peer and community-based connections, and caseworkers), whereas network stability facilitated multidimensional support through strong and interconnected relationships with caregivers and service providers. Emergent network patterns reflected distinct subgroups of more and less functional support networks, and strategies for network enhancement focus on promoting youth-directed services and support, developing youth skills and opportunities to invest in informal relationships, and using network assessment to identify unmet support needs. Findings advance a framework for understanding how foster care impacts support network characteristics, and inform ongoing efforts to address resulting limitations through services and programming.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding support network capacity during the transition from foster care: Youth-identified barriers, facilitators, and enhancement strategies

Blakeslee

Best

2019

Children and Youth Services Review

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“…Improving the educational and occupational attainment of maltreated adolescents may be more achievable than previously suspected, in the context of recent research confirming that verbal intelligence is subject to more change in adolescence than previously thought (Ramsden et al, 2011). An example of a programme promoting post-secondary education for youth in foster care is Better Futures, a randomised trial of a programme of interventions such as a Summer school and educational mentoring, described by Phillips et al (2015). The early findings are promising, and particularly relevant, because the youth had high rates of mental health problems – almost three quarters were receiving mental health services.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive and educational outcomes of maltreated and non-maltreated youth: A birth cohort study

Mills

Kisely

Alati

et al. 2018

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

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“…Similar findings were reported in an earlier study of 97 young people in care in Canada (Filbert and Flynn, 2010) which reported that higher levels of developmental and cultural assets promoted resilience within young people. Phillips et al (2015) conducted an evaluation of the USA Better Futures model which focuses on how to support foster children with mental health challenges into Higher Education. This programme includes individualized coaching for youth around key selfdetermination skills while working to achieve their goals.…”

Section: Concern About Educational Outcomes For Care Experienced Chilmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘It was me, but it was them that helped me’: Exploring the issues for care experienced young people within higher education

Pinkney

Walker

2020

Children and Youth Services Review

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This article reports the findings of a small study investigating the experiences of care experienced young people in relation to higher education in England. The findings are based on a literature review, interviews with young people studying at one University as well as interviews with University support staff. It also includes data from two focus groups with young people in care. The research shows that their success depends on a complexity of factors. In terms of support, young people did not benefit from unspecified and generalised help, but ongoing support that was relational, characterised by genuine concern, human warmth and knowledge of the young person. In addition, the research emphasises that supportive adults need to be non-judgemental, available and responsive in providing practical help as well as emotional support. These supportive adults, together with the provision of financial support, combined with the student's own agency, resilience, internal drive and determination, provide a powerful set of factors that underpin success within higher education for care experienced students. Additionally this research provides further testament to the importance of enduring and trusting relationships for children in care.

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Better Futures: A validated model for increasing postsecondary preparation and participation of youth in foster care with mental health challenges

Cited by 24 publications

References 27 publications

Understanding support network capacity during the transition from foster care: Youth-identified barriers, facilitators, and enhancement strategies

Understanding support network capacity during the transition from foster care: Youth-identified barriers, facilitators, and enhancement strategies

Cognitive and educational outcomes of maltreated and non-maltreated youth: A birth cohort study

‘It was me, but it was them that helped me’: Exploring the issues for care experienced young people within higher education

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