The Indiana State Office of GAL/CASA has been selected and was recently awarded a grant for $75,000 to help launch a new national program designed to address the unique challenges faced by youth as they leave foster care and become independent adults. This new program, titled Fostering Futures, was developed by The National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, with the generous support from the Walmart Foundation.

Fostering Futures is based on a research model and study out of the University of Michigan that helps young people achieve their full potential by promoting a positive self-identity, setting goals for the future and planning to achieve those goals. This model, titled Possible Selves, has been used with middle school, high school and college-aged students and has led to significantly better outcomes for these youth. 

In 2009, approximately 435 children in foster care in Indiana turned 18 and will face aging out of the foster care system without a permanent family. Aging out of foster care without a life plan or preparation puts these vulnerable youths at great risk.  These risks include homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse, criminal involvement and mental health issues.

The Fostering Futures program will engage GAL/CASA volunteers as advocates for and advisors to foster youth ages 14 – 21, with the goal of helping them identify supportive adult connections and develop specific transition plans for making a successful transition from foster care to becoming independent, successful adults.

“These older youth need the support of CASA volunteers to prepare them for an effective transition and positive outcomes in early adulthood. Fostering Futures positions us to help achieve this promise for our young people,” says Michael Piraino, National CASA Association CEO. “We are proud Indiana GAL/CASA will be one of the 16 programs within our national network that will be helping us pilot this important new program. We selected the Indiana State Office of GAL/CASA because of their strong commitment to working with youth as they transition out of foster care. We also sought CASA programs that are well-managed, have strong infrastructures and leadership, a good record of sustainability, and the capacity to engage in a significant new project.”

"With our investment in Fostering Futures, we extend our commitment to make a lasting difference in the lives of foster youth aging out of the system,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation.  “Our support of Fostering Futures is a natural extension of Walmart’s local commitment to the CASA cause. Our stores and associates have long supported their local CASA programs through our Volunteerism Always Pays program."  The Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. McKenna says from Feb. 1, 2009 through Jan. 31, 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $512 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally, $467 million of which was donated in the U.S.
To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

For more information about National CASA’s Fostering Futures program, contact Jim Clune at jclune@nationalcasa.org.  To learn more about National CASA, and how you can help create a hopeful future for a youth in foster care, please visit www.CASAforChildren.org.