Youth in Foster Care Share Their School Experiences In 12 fast-paced pages, this report shares the stories of 10 young people who faced constant hurdles and havoc while trying to advance their education in foster care. It champions the same cause — a consistent classroom setting — as its sister publication, Sustaining Momentum: Improving Educational Stability for Young People in Foster Care. Read More
Sustaining Momentum Improving Educational Stability for Youth in Foster Care Entering the foster care system can catapult a youth’s academic career into a devastating tailspin marred by too many new-kid-in-the-classroom transitions. This report highlights the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s four-year effort to counter such educational instability. It highlights key lessons learned and leaves readers with specific recommendations and next steps for continuing Casey’s work. The goal? Give these youth the support and security that they need to succeed in school — and the world beyond. Read More
Laying the Groundwork for Collective Impact: A Working Paper Early-Stage Advice for Multisector Collaborations This paper summarizes the literature and provides start-up advice for aligning public, private and philanthropic resources interested in “collective impact” when making community-wide changes for kids and families. Read More
Intersecting Worlds Promoting Affordable Care Act Enrollment Through Community Tax-Preparation Programs This report — tailor-made for the Affordable Care Act era — tells how four tax-preparation programs are breaking the mold and tackling the world of health care enrollment. Readers will learn the challenges and opportunities associated with such a move, which has the potential to help millions of low-income Americans take a critical first step toward a healthier future. Read More
Achieving Authentic Youth Engagement: Core Values & Guiding Principles National Summit on Authentic Youth Engagement This two-page fact sheet presents the three core values and related guiding principles that the Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative believes young people in foster care need to truly have a say in planning their own future. The key to making it work? Authentic partnerships with adults. Read More
Quality Case Planning with Young Adults in Extended Foster Care This issue brief identifies key elements to quality child welfare case planning for young adults in extended care. It makes a clear case for rethinking traditional approaches, starting early and empowering youth to take the planning lead. Read More
Innovative Philanthropic Financing for Community Change This report provides a concise summary of the East Baltimore Revitalization Initiative, with a focus on how the Annie E. Casey Foundation used innovative financing techniques to support the project. Read More
Local Voices On-the-Ground Perspectives on Driving Community Change in the Making Connections Sites This report describes, from the perspective of local stakeholders, the experience of several sites involved in Making Connections in developing and enhancing their capacities to pursue community change. Read More
Building Financial Capability for Youth Transitioning from Foster Care This issue brief arrives 13 years after the launch of Opportunity Passport™, a targeted intervention seeking to build financial capability in youth transitioning out of foster care. Readers will learn about the initiative’s latest participant survey results, strategies for expanding the Opportunity Passport™ framework, and how policy makers can help strengthen financial literacy and experiences among foster care youth. Opportunity Passport™ is a product of the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. Read More
From Foster Home to Homeless Strategies to Prevent Homelessness for Youth Transitioning From Foster Care In America, too many youth are getting too old for foster care and falling into homelessness. This brief, a product of the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, analyzes what we’re getting wrong — and how we can fix our patchwork system of supports. Even more, it offers fresh ideas on how we can keep this vulnerable demographic off the streets and striding toward adulthood on solid, stable ground. Read More