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You Gotta Believe!
New York—You Gotta Believe!
You Gotta Believe! (YGB) is a youth homelessness prevention program that finds permanent homes for youth, primarily teenagers, in foster care in New York City. YGB has received funding from a local grant and a Federal Adoption Opportunities grant.
Strategies. YGB staff work with teens to identify and locate adults who have been important to them, and they recruit adoptive families from the general public. Staff provide training to the families and certify the homes for adoption. Staff also offer postplacement crisis intervention, group services, and social activities.
Outcomes. From 1995 to 2001, when YGB operated as a volunteer agency, an average of three youths per year were placed in permanent homes. Since the agency received significant funding in 2001, an average of 20 youths per year have been placed in permanent homes.
Lessons Learned. The report indicated that child welfare staff often did not believe that finding permanent families for these youths was possible. This issue was addressed through training.
More Information on Model Programs for Youth Permanency
Read more about this and other model programs for youth permanency in Model Programs for Youth Permanency (PDF - 236 KB) by M.J. Louisell, from the California Partnership for Youth Project.