By Elizabeth Gibson, The Patriot-News—Jasmine Winters had the opportunity to exit foster care at 18, but she has decided to stick around a while longer. Winters has seen the benefits of the nontraditional methods in Ohio foster care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Susana Mariscal

 

On a winter morning, Winters’ caseworker, Eva Domalski, accompanies her to visit her former foster mother in Philadelphia, Janice Gipson. Jasmine had been in Gipson’s home until she was 5 and got adopted by another family. The family lived several hours away and changed Winters’ name. While Gipson tried to keep in touch, the distance proved too difficult. Gipson is ecstatic to see Jasmine and hear about her plans and ambitions.

During their time apart, Jasmine had experienced problems in her new adoptive family. Eventually, she left home at 15. Later when she desired to return, that home was deemed unsafe. Jasmine ended up on her own without much support.

 A short time ago, these two would have never had the opportunity to see one another again. Reuniting foster children to former foster parents was virtually unheard of before the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. This act allowed for funds and resources to focus on creating stronger networks of support for youth aging out of foster care. For the almost 30,000 youth annually who will age out without a permanent placement, it becomes increasingly important to have support that one can call upon in times of need.

Ohio has taken an approach that mirrors the kinship exploration of other cultures. People around the globe rely upon extended family members and community members to aid and assist children to supplement the assistance of the primary caretakers. They found that families in groups who received this type of approach were more satisfied with caseworkers and services. Drawing on age old knowledge allows our foster programs to achieve new heights, and youth like Jasmine Winters are benefiting.

“There are parallels in so many cultures. You can look at the whole kibbutz idea. You can look at American Indians and the whole tribe being the family,” said Richard Gold, deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Office of Children, Youth and Families. 

Courtesy of The Patriot-News

Original Article: Jasmine Winters, 18, is outgrowing foster care, but is leaving with family-like support network

Link: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/07/jasmine_winters_18_is_outgrowi.html