Involving Youth in Case Planning

Maintaining open lines of communication and engaging youth in their case planning provides them with the opportunity to be directly involved in decisions that affect and concern their lives. Research suggests that youth participation in the decision-making process can be an effective approach in promoting self-esteem, a greater sense of control, and the acquisition of new skills. The following resources highlight the benefits of youth participation throughout the case-planning processes.

• Involving youth in transition planning
• Involving youth in permanency planning

Achieving Authentic Youth Engagement: Core Values & Guiding Principles
Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative & Chapin Hall (2014)
Presents the core values and guiding principles to help young people in foster care have a say in planning their own future.

Empowering Foster Children Age 14 & Older in the Development of Their Own Case Plan & Transition Planning for a Successful Adulthood (PDF - 264 KB)
Advocates for Children and Youth (2015)
Provides an overview of the requirements of the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act in Maryland, which requires more youth involvement in case planning. The document also includes promising practices in other States.

Involving Youth in Court: Lessons From States
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law (2016)
Child Law Practice Today, April
Presents findings from assessments in six States regarding youth involvement in court proceedings. The article also includes policy and practice tips.

Quality Case Planning With Young Adults in Extended Foster Care
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2014)
Identifies key elements to quality child welfare case planning for young adults, which includes involving youth in all discussions about their cases. The issue brief also compares quality case planning with traditional case-planning approaches.

Strategies in Child Welfare: Four Approaches to Family Team Meetings (PDF - 2,181 KB)
The Annie E. Casey Foundation (2013)
Provides an overview of the concept of family team meetings and their importance in family engagement strategies, and compares four family team meeting models that are supported by preliminary research: family group decision-making, family team conferencing, permanency teaming, and team decision-making meetings.

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Involving youth in transition planning

Caseworker Guide to Transition Planning for Youth (PDF - 3,860 KB)
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Children's Administration (2018)
Presents a four four-step plan for caseworkers to work with youth on transitioning from foster care.

Involving Foster Care Youth in Planning for Their Transition: Does It Make a Difference? (PDF - 188 KB)
Youth Policy Institute of Iowa (2014)
Presents the findings of a survey of youth about their involvement in transition planning and self-concept. The report also presents policy implications to improve engagement.

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