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Fostering A Teen
Agency prepares teens who “age out” of child welfare system
By Lake County Department of Job and Family Services
 The spotlight over the next couple of months is going to focus on the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services’ efforts to help children gain needed independent living skills and also look at the stories of some of the children who have “aged out” of the child welfare system when they turn eighteen years of age. This first article focuses on the efforts of this agency to help prepare children for independent living and also point out some of the issues foster children face on top of the challenges of independent living.
When a child in foster care reaches the age of sixteen, they complete an assessment called the Ancell-Casey Life Skills assessment. This assessment evaluates the child’s independent living skills and is not a test. Once the child completes the assessment, the computer generates a plan to help the child increase their independent living skills. This assessment should be given annually to ensure that the proposed plan given after the assessment is helping the child gain these much needed skills.
The Ancell-Casey Life Skills assessment gives children information about their skills in career planning, communication, daily living/home life, housing and money management, self care, social relationships, work and study skills. While children are in their homes, foster parents can help them learn the independent skills listed above. Also, foster parents who are licensed to care for children ages sixteen through eighteen are required to take “Independent Living Skills” training each licensure period to provide them with information about helping children successfully gain independence.
Children in foster care started their lives out faced with many extreme challenges; sometimes without the healthy support system most children have to help them. Their lives can take many different paths once they leave the county’s custody. Many children return to their birth families, remain with their foster families, go to college or work and live independently. Unfortunately, some end up being homeless or going to jail/prison. Still, some who are still working through childhood issues or who have developmental disabilities become a part of the adult mental health system and are connected to needed services to help support them in their lives.
The Lake County Department of Job and Family Services is always in need of families who are willing to care for and be role models to older children. These foster parents can provide children with much needed guidance to live successful, independent lives. Foster children who learn these valuable skills on a daily, consistent basis in foster care will increase their chances of successful, independent living.
If you’re 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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