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Lessons Learned #5

Professionals driving transformation of the child welfare system need to give thoughtful consideration to approaches for engaging authentically with youth and young adults who have lived expertise to include their valuable input in transformation efforts.

The Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Finding Permanency (QIC-EY) is producing a series of Lessons Learned to share fundamental insights about engagement of children and youth, especially in relation to permanency decisions. Each lesson brings to life insights and knowledge gained as the QIC-EY project progresses.

The Lesson

Professionals driving transformation of the child welfare system need to give thoughtful consideration to approaches for engaging authentically with youth and young adults who have lived expertise to include their valuable input in transformation efforts.

The Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Finding Permanency (QIC-EY) seeks to make fundamental change in the way that child welfare agencies engage with children and youth in the permanency planning process. To achieve this vision, change is needed at the practice, program and policy levels. The QIC-EY staff believe strongly that this change will happen most effectively in partnership with youth and young adults who have experienced the child welfare system personally.

We believe that their experiences are key factors in each of the following:

Identifying strategies for achieving outcomes

Identifying new supports and services for young people in care

Suggesting improvements to current programs and practices

Ultimately advancing overall system change

Application of the Lesson

Authentic engagement with youth and young adults in system change efforts is most successful when expertise gained through personal experience is valued as much as knowledge gained in the classroom or through professional experience. As a child welfare leader, you need to move beyond asking youth and young adults to share their personal stories. You need also to prepare them and to support them in becoming thought leaders and advocates for change.

Keep the following considerations in mind when you are engaging with youth and young adults in system change efforts. We have asked two QIC-EY professionals, Mayra Mostafa and Keola Pagud, who have their own lived expertise within the child welfare system to help bring these 5 key points to life. Hear thoughts from Mayra and Keola under each consideration.

Keola Pagud Quote

1. Clearly define roles and responsibilities.

Participating in system transformation efforts can be both an exciting and an intimidating opportunity for youth and young adults. You need to give them clear descriptions of the purposes of their roles, what will be expected of them, which skills they will need and which professional skills they will gain through their participation. You also need to let them know whether and how they will be compensated for their efforts.

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2. Provide the support that youth and young adults need to participate successfully.

Prepare agendas ahead of time, and review meeting materials to ensure that expectations are articulated and understood clearly. Help the youth and young adults to envision themselves in meetings and system transformation activites with child welfare leaders. Help them to anticipate when their advice and experience will have a positive impact. Concrete supports such as travel reimbursement, childcare and food often can determine whether a person with lived expertise will be able to participate or not.

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3. Be trauma aware.

Acknowledge the emotional toll that participation in system transformation efforts can have on youth and young adults. Provide them with the skills and tools they will need to protect their emotional well-being. Predicting when an individual may be triggered by participation in change efforts can be difficult. Open the door to communication so that youth and young adults know they can talk with you when their well-being is at stake.

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4. Consider the structure and culture of meetings and activities

Keep in mind the needs of youth and young adults when planning meetings and other system transformation activities. Be welcoming when they attend meetings; actively invite them to share their thoughts and advice; then listen to them even if what they say is challenging for you to hear. Be mindful of communication styles. Because youth and young adults generally are less familiar with system jargon, they may need to have concepts explained to them or provided in writing in advance of meetings.

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5. Be aware of the power difference between young people and professionals.

Let youth and young adults with lived expertise know how their input will be gathered, how their feedback will inform decision making as well as how their advice will have the most impact. Provide them with information about how decisions will be made. Manage expectations so that they understand that not everything they suggest will come to fruition (and that this is true for professionals as well). Report back to youth and young adults about the outcomes of projects in which they have participated.

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