Beyond Foster Care

Foster Care services can end one of four ways: when a child is reunified with/discharged to family or another resource; when a child ages out of care; when a child signs out of care; or when a child is adopted. But the need for meaningful relationships does not end. For any kids connected with our agency we say, “Once Family Focus, always Family Focus.”

In New York, when a child reaches age 21 they are immediately discharged from foster care. However, their future is not yet settled. If the new emerging adult had been in the RAD! Program, their relationship with their Future Worker can continue, and Family Focus introduces them to a GATE Worker.

The main function of the GATE worker is to teach the kids the “practical stuff” outside of the foster care system – how to shop for food, how to manage money, how to access public transportation, how to fill out a job application, how to apply for a driver’s license, etc. The goal is that these supports will help launch the emerging adult into a successful future.

Some Young Decision Makers choose to sign out of care before they are 21, which they can do starting at age 18. However, their future is not settled, and signing out before age 21 presents its own set of challenges. While they have the right to sign back into care, unless and until they do, they may need additional supports. We honor their decision to attempt independent adulthood, but their relationship with their Future Worker acts as a tether so they are not completely alone. The Future Worker remains available for support as initiated by the YDM.

Anyone who has ever been connected with Family Focus, whether they aged out, signed out, or were adopted, is able to reach out to our agency for support, advice, or just to touch base. We consider them alumni of Family Focus forever.