Recommendations for change

Two women having a conversation with coffee and pastries in a cozy café environment.

Students collaborating and learning in a library setting, engaging with computers and books.

“I really struggle because we don’t have any type of mentoring program in our area, no Big Brothers Big Sisters. We have nothing. So I just try to rely on getting them out and meeting people in the community and doing community events so they can connect on their own with supportive adults. But we’re strapped as it is with our funding, where we could do a mentor program because we just don’t have it.”

– STAY case manager

Create a mentorship program dedicated for STAY youth across Minnesota.

Building out supportive adult relationships and resources to support permanent connections is necessary for STAY youth to thrive in their transition to adulthood. There are few, if any, supports and resources to help STAY youth develop and maintain permanent connections with supportive adults. Not many formal mentorship programs exist for case managers to refer youth to, especially in rural Minnesota. More informal ways of building relationships naturally, such as through playing sports or other hobbies, often cost money and are inaccessible to STAY youth. Relationship-building can also be hard for STAY youth who may be struggling to meet their basic needs.

Develop communications materials that clarify what the STAY program is and what STAY does not encompass.

In speaking with STAY youth about their experiences with the STAY program, it became clear that the program can be conflated with other case management and foster care supports. By creating clear materials on what STAY is and isn’t, STAY youth and others will be able to differentiate services more easily.

A small group of friends sitting on the ground outside of a building engaged in lively conversation.

A diverse group of young friends playing a guessing game with sticky notes indoors.

Two friends sharing a joyful hug while sitting on a park bench with a soccer ball.

Father and teenage son sitting in a car, bonding while learning to drive.

A group of young adults laughing and hanging out by a serene lakeside.

A group of diverse young adults enjoying a moment together outdoors, smiling and happy.

Continue to be creative in using funding allocations from STAY.

STAY case managers emphasized how difficult it can be to manage many different types of work. Several case managers said that increasing the number of staff to handle administrative duties would support them to have more face-to-face time with STAY youth. Funding allocations may not change enough to hire more staff, but continuing to be creative in how to use the funding allocations that do exist from STAY will help to prioritize STAY youth.

Create more opportunities for STAY youth to get together and connect.

During the STAY youth retreat, youth discussed their desire to develop rich, lasting relationships with their peers as adults through their transition to adulthood. Those relationships included romantic partners, friends, and roommates. Additionally, STAY youth often spoke to their desire to support and help other youth going through similar hardships or navigating situations similar to those they faced before transitioning to adulthood. Creating connections among STAY youth will help fulfill many youth’s desire for social stability and connections in addition to setting other youth up for success with a peer mentor.

Two friends smiling during a forest hike, enjoying nature and friendship.

A joyful group of friends hugging and chatting outdoors in a sunny park setting, enjoying the summer weather.

Two children playing an energetic game of basketball on an outdoor court during the day.

Person taking notes during a virtual meeting on a laptop screen with a diverse team.

Two women smiling and laughing outdoors surrounded by nature, conveying happiness and friendship.

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Maintain opportunities for STAY workers to network with each other across the state.

STAY workers / case managers are very involved in connecting with other STAY workers, particularly through Positive Youth Development (PYD) talks, the annual PYD retreat, and the Chafee Advisory Committee. However, some groups of workers/case managers are less involved. Encouraging continued engagement is great, and reaching out to the STAY workers who have been less involved is even better.

Learn more about Minnesota’s Foster Care System

Head to the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to read about all the funding and programming happening for youth experiencing out of home placement and beyond.

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