Mockingbird Society

ASK-Y Meeting Minutes: 8/02/04

Group reviews Jim's letter to Uma Ahluwalia at the Children's Administration in Olympia
We discuss the importance of the funding & the plan. It will affect youth for years to come
It is very important to lobby for what we want the funds to go toward and the policy changes we want

Mockingbird could sponsor youth trainings & discussions about the impacts of the plan
Adolescent youth need to share about their needs for continuing support, housing, etc.
Casey Trupin reiterates the need for youth to speak out about the importance of preventive services so legislators will include funds for this in the plan

The plan should be modified to address racial disproportionality
Will the plan include money for residential beds?
The plan needs to address the DCFS culture. It should be about what's best for the kids, not about what's easy or convenient for the workers.
The Rafael Gomez Fatality Review exposes many problems with the DCFS culture that the plan could address
Why does Region 4 have such a large number of youth in residential placement as opposed to foster care?

In the fall ASK-Y will create talking points to distribute to various youth agencies
We could break down the existing work groups into specific programs that we can advocate for, to narrow our focus & increase effectiveness
Kathlyn suggests that her organization could send a second letter to Uma in support of the plan

On Seattle's list of priorities, funding for treatment & services for homeless youth is very low right now.
The concern is that next year the city may not agree to fund Pro-Youth programs
We will need to advocate for funds from the city council
Homeless youth 18-22 continue to receive poor services
Should they receive services from adult or youth providers? Clarity could be gained by a discussion with Mary Ann Hoagland of Washington Coalition for the Homeless

States that multiple care placements are unconstitutional. Decision affirms the right to constitutional care for foster youth.