A Platform for Social Action: Self-Advocacy of Youth in Foster Care Receiving Independent Living Services

Background

Several studies focus on transition-age youth, however limited research prioritizes youths’ voices and perspectives to guide foster care program and policy choices, particularly in ways that are strengths- and empowerment-focused. As part of a larger study examining independent living services, the purpose of this analysis was to explore the meaning of self-advocacy among youth living in foster care and how experiences with self-advocacy can be improved. A concurrent objective was to generate a social action statement that (1) actively supports the self-advocacy of youth in care and (2) translates findings into practice and policy change. This latter goal included identifying what youth want stakeholder groups to understand about their experiences and what their recommendations are for social/system change.

Methods

Photovoice methodology was used as an empowerment-focused design to engage, understand, and prioritize the voice of youth. Photovoice combines documentary photography and narrative descriptions with critical dialogue and invites participants into the process as co-researchers. The sample included youth in foster care between ages 13-17 who were active in independent living services. Data collection occurred at two different residential/group home sites, each enrolling a group of three youth for participation (n=6). Creators of photovoice suggest 3-8 participants, per group, to preserve the process of deep dialogue embedded in the methodology’s framework. This overall sample size was consistent with published photovoice studies that are often <10. Youth were given digital cameras to create photographs that represent their experiences and groups met in-person for four data collection sessions (i.e., 7 hours Group A; 6 hours Group B). This resulted in 13 hours of time spent co-analyzing study topics with youth.

Results

Findings revealed that youth characterized their experiences with self-advocacy within two primary themes: (a) feeling unknown/unheard/misunderstood and (b) needing people/platforms to assert their voice. Youth shared perceptions that professionals and community-members have preconceived notions about youth in care that may make their self-advocacy difficult. They described having to overcome negative labels and assumptions to be seen and known for who they are and often not feeling known well-enough by professionals relative to the high degree of the professional’s decision-making influence on their lives. In addition to lacking someone receptive and trusted to listen, youth also emphasized the need for opportunities to self-advocate during case events and in professional spaces versus feeling silenced. Themes will be presented in detail with narratives from youth and corresponding photographs. A social action statement will also be presented composed of “I need” expressions from youth to highlight their recommendations for caseworkers, judges, clinical therapists, foster parents, systems, the-larger-community, and other entities.

Conclusions

Implications of this study focus on strategies to achieve self-advocacy and improve programmatic and system practices to better align with the needs and experiences of youth in care. Emphasis is placed on the role and support of caseworkers as central influencers and strengths-based engagement. Collectively, findings inform ways diverse stakeholders may support youth across the multiple systems they interact with and how youth themselves define the need for social action and system change.