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Fostering A Child
After turning sixteen, Caley residents need to learn independent living skills
By the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services
The Emma Caley Receiving Home is a residential facility for children located in Lake County. Each month we share the story of one of the children placed there.
The spotlight this month is on Caley resident, Nick, who is sixteen years old. When children enter into the custody of the county and reach the age of sixteen, the county is responsible for teaching them independent living skills. An advantage of Caley Home being in Lake County is that it mainly houses older children and an Independent Living Skills social worker can work one on one with them. Since most children in Lake County will remain in Lake County upon emancipation at eighteen, the social worker will work with them on how to navigate and obtain the resources within Lake County.
Like all children who are sixteen and find themselves in the county’s custody, Nick is faced with additional goals to achieve for himself. With the help of Caley staff and the Independent Living Skills social worker, Nick took a test entitled “Casey Life Skills” which will establish areas within Nick that he needs to strengthen in order for him to learn to become more independent. The Independent Living Skills social worker and Nick then create a plan so that he is able to improve and reach his goals.
Nick admits that he learns better if he practices something and has hands on experience over having to sit down and read through a book to learn how to do something. The staff at Caley and his Independent Living Skills social worker help him get the “hands on experience” he needs to learn and meet his goals.
Since turning sixteen, Nick has sat down with others to learn how to fill out a resume and he practiced his interviewing skills until he was confident enough to go out and interview for a job. Nick was proud that he was hired at the first place he interviewed and is thankful for the extra help given to him to make being hired a success. Nick is also thankful to the staff that helps him get back and forth to work.
Nick currently has a lot of things on his plate. He is going to school, working, trying to reunify with his family and is preparing for adulthood all while at Caley Home. He is thankful to the staff that helps him. Like most of the other children at Caley, Nick doesn’t always agree with the rules but “most of the time” he understands the reasoning for the rules. He is especially thankful for all the supportive work that staff help him with given he needs more “hands on” practice when trying to learn new things. Nick is currently learning how to write out checks and budget his money, save money, do his own laundry and cook. The cook at Caley supervises and directs Nick while he is cooking for himself and the other residents. Nick feels that he is becoming a very good cook.
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please call the Foster Care Inquiry Line, Lake County Department of Job and Family Services at (440) 350-4218. They will be happy to answer your questions and send you information about foster parenting. The Lake County Department of Job and Family Services is in need of families who would be willing to care for teenagers. Tell them you heard about foster parenting here.
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