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For nearly thirty years, Friends of the Children has been empowering youth and families who have been impacted by the foster care system. Our enrollment process focuses on youth who are highest risk of entering, or who are already involved in the foster care system. 30% of youth in our program have experienced out-of-home placement and nearly 30% of caregivers have experienced foster care themselves. Our youth and family-led, trauma informed approach supports the health and well-being of children and families together with these goals in mind:
In partnership with child welfare systems, schools and community-based organizations, Friends of the Children invites children ages 4-6 and pairs them with a salaried, professional mentor (a Friend) who stays with them from kindergarten through graduation – 12+ years, no matter what.
We work with partners to identify families along the child and family well-being continuum to ensure that our model is serving the children and families who need us most:
Ultimately we want all parents to have the supports they need to be the parents they want to be, and for all kids to get to be kids – living safely at home with their families.
When Mark* was 6 years old, his family lost all their possessions in an apartment fire. Soon after, their car was totaled. Dad, primary caregiver to Mark and his brother, had struggled with his mental health over the years, but the compounding events made things feel especially hard. Ultimately, the school filed a report with Child Protective Services (CPS). Because of the close relationship between Friends of the Children and the child welfare system, the CPS caseworker contacted Mark's Friend to discuss what supports Friends of the Children could provide to the family. The Friends of the Children team connected Dad to robust mental wellness services and Mark's Friend stepped in to be even more actively involved in Mark and his sibling's academics. As a result of this trust and partnership, the children were able to remain with Dad safely at home and not be placed into the foster care system.
*Name changed to protect privacy
In 2022, the number of children in the U.S. who entered foster care was 186,602. That includes 9,054 children who were only 5 years old at the time of entry - a 9% decrease from 2021.* With the accelerated expansion of the Friends of the Children model, and our focus on prevention, safety and family stability - we celebrate progress toward our goal to reduce the number of 5-year-olds entering foster care by 10%.
[1] *FY22 Federal AFCARS Foster Care Data Release
Friends of the Children has developed a strong reputation based on the achievement of proven, measurable outcomes for youth facing the greatest challenges. We don’t just achieve strong program outcomes – we celebrate lasting life outcomes for young people. Young adults who experience involvement with the foster care system and who graduate from the program achieve our three long-term outcomes at the same rate as all our program participants – remarkable results considering the national statistics for youth transitioning out of foster care:
The work Friends do with youth and caregivers is highly individualized and intentional. About 30% of our caregivers were in foster care as a child and 60% of those who had been in care, aged out of care as adults. Our two-generation approach works with caregivers to build parenting skills, empower systems navigation and self-advocacy, and meet concrete needs. Here's what caregivers have to say about Friend's impact:
86% said Friends supported them to BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR CHILD'S NEEDS/STRENGTHS and 88% said their child’s behavior had improved, making their home a more positive place.
84% said Friends helped STRENGTHEN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS and 84% said Friends supported them to spend more time with other children
91% said Friends helped STRENGTHEN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS and 84% said Friends supported them to spend more time with other children.
92% said Friends connected them to CONCRETE SUPPORTS that enrich and stabilize their family and 77% said Friends promoted their ability to navigate systems and build community connections.
TWO-GENERATION (2GEN) IMPACT RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL (RCT)
In 2022 we are launching a new RCT study, funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and conducted in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame’s Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities. The study will examine the impact our model has helping families build protective capacities that reduce the risk of maltreatment and promote safety and stability in families.