How Pathway Supports Foster Parents
Our dedicated Youth Engagement Specialists (YESs) provide encouragement, guidance, and consistent support to children and teens served by Pathway Caring for Children.
Youth Engagement Specialists provide one-on-one mentoring/behavioral health respite to youth in foster care, youth who have been adopted, and children from biological families in the community. Services are also available to eligible youth enrolled in the OhioRISE program.
One-on-One Mentoring with Children and Teens
A YES is typically assigned to spend two to three hours with a youth on a weekly or biweekly basis. During mentoring/behavioral health respite sessions, the YES and youth participate in community-based activities such as visiting a park, doing a craft project, playing a sport, going bowling, or participating in other activities based on the youth’s interests and needs. During these activities, they work on therapeutic goals in line with the client’s treatment plan and, when applicable, OhioRISE care plan.
Depending on the individual needs of the youth, goals may include:
- Building self-esteem
- Developing social and communication skills
- Practicing appropriate behavior and manners in public
- Improving anger management and emotional regulation
- Learning healthy coping and problem-solving skills
- Encouraging exercise and personal hygiene
- Developing independent living and daily life skills
- Experiencing cultural and recreational enrichment
Mentoring/behavioral health respite is a wraparound support service available to Pathway’s licensed foster caregivers and eligible families in the community. These services provide children and teens with positive one-on-one support while also offering caregivers valuable assistance and temporary relief.
OhioRISE Eligibility
OhioRISE provides coordinated behavioral health services and support to children and youth who may:
- Have significant behavioral health needs
- Need assistance from multiple systems, such as schools, children’s services, courts, or behavioral health providers
- Need help accessing the appropriate services and supports
- Be returning home after receiving out-of-home treatment
- Be at risk of an out-of-home placement
- Qualify following a behavioral health-related hospital stay
To be eligible for OhioRISE, a child or youth must:
- Be eligible for Ohio Medicaid through managed care or fee-for-service
- Be between the ages of 0 and 20 at the time of enrollment
- Demonstrate a need for behavioral health treatment and support based on the completion of the Ohio Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment
EVERY Mentorship Matters
Mentoring creates meaningful connections. The more healthy adult relationships a child forms, the greater their ability to overcome and cope with past traumas.
Did YOU know? Children who are at risk but have a foster care mentor as part of positive interventions are…
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 55% more likely to enroll in college
- 81% more likely to participate in school activities
- 78% more likely to volunteer
Our Youth Engagement Specialists (YESs) may be assigned to assist with various mental health groups as needed. At times, they may be asked to provide general support or work with a specific youth during community outings.
Group Support for Teens
Youth Engagement Specialists may also assist with Pathway’s mental health groups and Transitional Age Independent Living (IL) group activities. A YES may provide general group support, assist an individual youth who needs additional attention, or help support youth during community outings and activities.
Ohio BRIDGES Program
Pathway staff and liaisons provide additional support services available through BRIDGES, a post-emancipation support program in Ohio that extends housing and other supportive services to former foster youth. These young adults are eligible to apply and participate at the age of 18, until they reach the age of 21. Our goal is to provide support and sustainable independence to these young men and women.
For more info, visit the BRIDGES website.
