Kristen’s Story
Kristen Beal serves as the director of training at Ross Education, where she designs and delivers engaging learning experiences. With a focus on culture change, customer service excellence, and performance improvement, Kristen is deeply committed to leveraging innovative instructional strategies and technologies to foster meaningful learning. She firmly believes that education stands as the cornerstone of progress, and through her work, she strives to inspire curiosity, ignite creativity, and nurture lifelong learners who can thrive in an ever-evolving world.
How it started
Kristen’s journey into the realm of foster care started during her master’s studies in instructional design. Her capstone project centered on crafting units of instruction aimed at emotional skill-building for Felony I and Felony II juvenile offenders in Ohio. During the project’s analysis phase, Kristen learned that nearly all the young men who volunteered to participate had gone through the state’s foster care system. Subsequently, while serving as a violence prevention educator, Kristen became a pivotal member of the Delaware PEACE Collaborative—an innovative organization dedicated to promoting comprehensive prevention education and fostering positive youth development in Delaware County, Ohio schools. It was here that she became aware of the need for societal improvement in supporting the futures of children in foster care.
Current work in this area
In 2020, Kristen became a board member for Friends of CASA, a fundraising entity supporting CASA Programs of Delaware and Union Counties in Ohio. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) recruits, screens, trains, and provides support to community volunteers advocating for child victims of abuse and neglect in court. Kristen is deeply committed to ensuring that children navigating the foster care system have a voice and receive the support they deserve.
Transition ages fosters face long odds
Transitioning out of foster care presents a lot of challenges for young people. Older youth in foster care often find themselves struggling with the daunting thought of securing permanent homes, and many face the harsh reality of homelessness, unemployment, and other adversities upon aging out of the system.
National studies have shown that within two to four years of leaving foster care at age 18:
- 40% were homeless
- 40% were receiving public assistance or were incarcerated
- 40% experienced drug or alcohol abuse
- 46% had not finished high school
- 51% were unemployed
- 84% became parents
Challenges they face
The challenges confronting transition-aged foster youth are multifaceted, spanning from graduating high school to accessing living-wage employment, affordable housing, and essential health and mental health services.
What we can do better
To extend meaningful support to transitioning foster youth, we can:
- Foster meaningful connections with positive adult mentors and provide access to vital life skills programs.
- Raise awareness about available programs such as Americorps and educational opportunities.
- Broaden access to education through avenues like tuition waivers, scholarships, and vocational training.
- Forge partnerships with employers to create job opportunities tailored to the needs of transitioning youth.
- Serve as adult mentors through esteemed organizations like CASA and independent living programs.
- Offer practical support ranging from graduation gifts to housing assistance, vehicle donations, and emergency funds.
Increasing awareness to youth in transition programs
Increasing awareness of youth in transition programs is crucial for empowering young people to make informed decisions about their future. By connecting them to relevant information and services, we can provide them with the tools they need to navigate their transition successfully. Programs such as AmeriCorps offer opportunities for youth to contribute their time and talents to community development, while initiatives like the Administration of Children, Youth and Families’ “We Think Twice” campaign focus on early education. Additionally, collaborations like the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps and the Department of Defense’s National Guard Youth Program provide valuable placement and leadership opportunities for disadvantaged and out-of-school youth. These programs play a vital role in supporting youth as they transition into adulthood.
Increase their access to education
Enhancing access to education is extremely important for young people in and transitioning out of foster care. They require consistent and ongoing support through educational and employment skills training, as well as access to resources. By increasing access to programs and services that promote educational attainment, employment opportunities, and financial stability, we can empower young people to thrive in adulthood. Schools can play a vital role by providing information to youth services agencies about available educational opportunities and offering vocational or career consultation through county Job and Family Services agencies. Additionally, several states offer transition-aged youth a Foster Education Fund, providing assistance such as tuition waivers or scholarships. Non-governmental organizations also play a crucial role in supporting foster children’s educational pursuits, with initiatives like the VIP Voice Scholarship, the National Foster Parent Association, and the Foster Care to Success program. These collaborative efforts help ensure that every young person in foster care has the opportunity to pursue their educational goals and achieve success.
Increase job opportunities
Expanding job opportunities is essential for supporting youth in transition. This can be achieved by increasing awareness of available job opportunities through county Job and Family Services agencies. The Employment and Training Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, offers valuable resources such as information about summer youth jobs, the Workforce Investment Act, and other employment and training programs tailored to youth. Moreover, collaboration between employers and local agencies can further promote job opportunities specifically designed for youth in transition. By working together, we can create more pathways to employment and empower young people as they transition into adulthood.
Act as an adult mentor to transition-age youth
Supporting transition-aged youth as an adult mentor can look like:
- Volunteering as a CASA to guide older youth in planning for their transition.
- Participating in the National CASA/GAL initiative called Fostering Futures, which provides a structured framework for engaging with youth, offering advice on difficult decisions, and fostering a sense of belonging.
- Volunteering at an independent living program to provide training aimed at enhancing life skills, knowledge, and self-sufficiency.
- Offering assistance by purchasing graduation gifts and essential items to help transition-aged youth set up their first homes.
- Providing tangible support by donating a vehicle or offering low-cost housing options.
- Contributing funds to address emergency needs, ensuring that transition-aged youth have access to essential resources during challenging times.
As Kristen Beal’s journey and advocacy shows, empowering transition-age youth requires a multifaceted approach rooted in compassion, education, and practical support. By fostering meaningful connections, raising awareness of available resources, and providing tangible assistance, we can make a significant difference in the lives of young people navigating the foster care system. As a society, we must continue to prioritize the well-being and success of transition-aged foster youth, ensuring they have the support and opportunities they need to thrive as they transition into adulthood. Through collective effort and commitment, we can create a brighter future for all young people, regardless of their background or circumstances.