This past summer, I witnessed two professionals with different backgrounds having a polite but serious disagreement about whether a workforce readiness program should be limited to youth in foster care or expanded to include other disconnected young people.
The “Educator” was advocating for an exclusive group despite the fact that in her previous “mixed” group the kids in care were “closed” and less engaged than the other participants. She said that the kids in care had formed a clique. She wanted to open up this particular group because in the previous group the Facilitator had worked extra hard to get the foster kids to become active participants with limited success. She went on to say that kids in care needed to mingle with others. (I almost hit the ceiling but maintained my composure because she was not speaking to me at the time.)
The Social Worker explained that kids in foster care are in “mixed” groups the majority of their lives – especially in academic environments. She further explained that the reason they “bonded” with each other is because they had common experiences. Ms. Social Worker very politely suggested that a good Facilitator knows her audience and knows how to encourage group building. It never occurred to Ms. “Educator” that her Facilitator may have been the problem. I am happy to report that Ms. Social Worker stood her ground and the group remained exclusive. I didn’t even have to intervene – but I definitely would have!!
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Nicki Sanders, Chief Visionary Officer of The Teen Toolbox, is a Life Skills Expert who uses her Packaged For Success™ programs to help clients set goals for life and create a road map to reach those goals. Ms. Sanders is an experienced case manager, trainer, and administrator. She offers professional development training for both youth and adults. Ms. Sanders holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and has fifteen years of direct experience with a diverse array of clients in residential, school-based, and community based agencies. She is committed to supporting and raising awareness about the needs and potential of teenagers in the foster care system.
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