Q&A
Impact and expansion of the Fair Futures program for foster youth
0:44:58
ยท
87 sec
Council Member Brewer inquires about the Fair Futures program, and Commissioner Dannhauser provides details on its implementation, impact, and expansion plans.
- Fair Futures begins engaging youth in middle school with counseling services
- The program has contributed to improved graduation rates for youth in foster care
- About 4,000 young people have been connected to Fair Futures services
- Plans to expand support for youth aged 21-26 and those leaving care through adoption or reunification
Gale A. Brewer
0:44:58
So just like everybody else, I love fair futures.
0:45:00
That's everybody loves it.
0:45:01
But do you have to opt in?
0:45:03
How do you get in I mean, obviously, if you're interested, you could participate.
0:45:08
But can you do you automatically opt in or not?
Jess Dannhauser
0:45:10
Probably wouldn't have happened without your council members.
0:45:12
So first of all, thank you for that.
0:45:13
You do not have to opt in.
0:45:16
When a young person is in middle school, eighth grade, they begin with middle high school counseling.
0:45:23
We've seen young people really begin to, elect their school.
0:45:28
In the past, we tried to do high school goal weekend and this kind of stuff.
0:45:32
We're seeing actually last year, people in foster care for the first time were in the top quartile of graduation rates.
Gale A. Brewer
0:45:41
Because of fair futures.
Jess Dannhauser
0:45:43
Because of fair futures
Gale A. Brewer
0:45:43
and
Jess Dannhauser
0:45:43
that And so so about 4,000 young people have been connected.
0:45:49
They have some of them first accept tutoring or first accept the coaching or just wanna be part of a youth group.
0:45:56
And so we're constantly working to engage them more fully.
0:46:00
We've also engaged 800 young people after 21.
0:46:04
And so the investments that are being made in the in next year will allow us to continue to expand to make sure that young people 21 to 26, anyone who wants it can get those supports And then every young person leaving care, whether they're adopted, whether they're reunified after a 16 year old, that all of those kids can keep their coach.
Gale A. Brewer
0:46:25
Okay.