There are a number of supportive programs for youth and young adults in foster care — but what happens when foster care ends? How are agencies working to equip young people for the road ahead, and how can the community take part?

On Wednesday, Oct. 15, three members of the Family Support Services Youth Well Being team and a leader from our Youth Advisory Committee, joined host Anne Schindler on WJCT’s First Coast Connect to discuss some of the issues facing local teens in foster care and what happens when foster care ends. This honest discussion about where FSS and our community of care are succeeding in advocating for our youth — and what they would like to see improve — highlighted both the new Bridge 2 Work Academy for life and workplace skills, and the call to amplify youth needs during Foster Youth Voice Month and beyond.

Speaking on behalf of FSS were Oliver Green, Youth Well Being Supervisor; Jamaal Brown, FSS education and employment specialist; Nadia Hover, FSS youth well-being program coordinator, and Alexis Estein, Youth Advisory Council member and a recent graduate of the FSS Bridge 2 Work Academy.

Watch or listen to the conversation on YouTube or by clicking the player below. Many thanks again to Anne Schindler and the First Coast Connect team for this excellent conversation!

Click here for information about Extended Care programs with FSS.

Email Jamaal Brown to get involved with our Bridge 2 Work Academy. Email Maria Oxford for questions about Youth Well Being and Independent Living at FSS.

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