Creating Teachable Moments
A R E S O U RC E PA R E N TS G U I D E TO
T E AC H I N G L I F E S K I L LS
AGENDA
 Welcome
 Introductions
 Housekeeping
 Rules/Expectation
 Questions
INTRODUCTIONS
 Life Skills I Learned:
 Life Skills I Wish I Had
Learned:
Things People Never Told Me…
AGING OUT PSA
DID YOU KNOW……….?
 each year 20,000 or more young people leave foster care having
reached the age of 18 without an adoptive family or other
permanent relationship;
 in 2012, over 23,000 youth nationwide aged out of foster care;
 only half of former foster children have completed high school;
 fewer than half are employed;
 one-fourth have been homeless for at least one night;
 30% do not have access to needed health care;
 60% of the young women have given birth;
 in the year 2020, if nothing changes in child welfare trends,
75,000 youth will age out and experience homelessness?
Tennessee Statistics
Total Aged Out
Total Aged Out Eligible for Post
Custody/EFCS
FY 2008-09
1209
FY 2009-10
1162
Accepted
Post Custody/EFCS of
Eligible Population
FY 2010-11
*1131
813
163
FY 2011-12
*1084
748
201
FY 2012-13
*1017
768
301
FY 2014-15
*984
779
312
*Youth Adjudicated Delinquent, Dependent/Neglect and Unruly Released/All Placement Types at Age 18
In Order for Youth to Succeed: Three Things
1.
Close relationships with caring adults such as
resource parents.
2.
Expectations that they can succeed.
3.
Opportunities for positive contributions and
recognition through participation in youth
advocacy, school activities, and community
volunteer experiences. (Jim Casey Youth
Opportunities Initiatives, 2012)
What Are Life Skills?
“ L I F E S K I L LS A R E A B I L I T I E S T H AT
H E L P U S TO A DA P T A N D B E H AV E
P O S I T I V E LY S O T H AT W E C A N D E A L
E F F EC T I V E LY W I T H T H E C H A L L E N G E
O F E V E RY DAY L I F E .”
NRCYD stands for…
National Resource Center for
Youth Development
AND
Provides Life Skills Training Tips
for Caregivers
Life Skills Fall Into Two Categories
Tangible Skills
Intangible Skills
 Job Hunting
 Decision Making
 Cooking
 Communication
 Cleaning
 Relationship Building
 Budgeting
 Critical Thinking
Policy 16.51
Says that all youth in state custody ages fourteen
(14) or older must complete the necessary life
skills assessment, generally the Casey Life Skills
assessment, at least annually. Further, the policy
states that the youth’s caretakers or supportive
adults should also complete the necessary life
skills assessment if possible. It acknowledges the
importance of a permanent, caring adult
relationship with the foster youth.
Two-Part Process in Teaching Life Skills
 The first part involves imparting knowledge so the
youth has an understanding of the skill, so show them
and tell them what you know.
 And secondly, PRACTICE…PRACTICE…PRACTICE!!!
Teachable Moments
“are unplanned events during the
day that adults can use as a
learning opportunity for youth.”
Things People Never Told Me…
One National Expert Stated…
“Supportive relationships are the single most
important factor in how successful youth will be
when they leave care. The quality of the personal
support network will be the greatest indicator of
success for these youth once out on their own”
What’s The Difference?
• INDEPENDENT
• INTERDEPENDENT
Large Group Discussion
 How do you build a strong, supportive
relationship with the youth in your care?
Relationship Building
 Listen
 Show an interest
 Mean what you say
 Be positive about their birth family
 Be supportive
 Learn who they are
Things People Never Told Me…
NRCYD: Tips for Teaching
 Select a time to teach when you are not feeling rushed
 Make learning fun
 Look for “teachable moments” or create them
 Don’t make EVERY moment a “teachable moment”
 Ask the youth to select the skills they want to learn
 Provide lots of opportunity to practice
NRCYD: Tips for Teaching
 Take the youth with you when you shop or run errands
 Pay attention to how the youth likes to learn
 Ask the youth to teach YOU a skill
 Ask the youth to teach another child a skill
 Open a bank account with the youth
 Talk to others to get new and interesting ideas for teaching
WHAT ARE
DAILY LIVING SKILLS?
Musical Brainstorm
Money Matters Activity
Scenario 1: My personal meal plan
Scenario 2: My personal monthly budget
Scenario 3: My personal checking account
Scenario 4: My personal credit card
Things People Never Told Me…
Small Group Activity
CREATING TEACHABLE
MOMENTS ACTIVITY
Supplemental Material
• Casey’s “Ready, Set, Fly!” Tool
• Casey Life Skills Assessment Tool
• Casey Life Skills Resources to Inspire guide
• Driver’s license information
• “Things No One Told Me” booklet
Things People Never Told Me…
Thank You For Attending!