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Norma Wood

Youth in Foster Care: A Community Opportunity

October 25, 2011  //  Lyric Theatre

Wood provided a brief primer on the foster care system for older youth and a short history of the Chafee Independent Living Program.  Delving into the impact of unsuccessful youth on our community, Wood pointed to ways to improve youth success and what we can do as a community.

A representative panel of older youth transitioning to adulthood while in foster care joined Wood after her talk to share some of their personal stories.  They discussed the importance of adult connections and support.  The young people also addressed individuals within their community and how the community as a system might improve their chance for success.

NORMA WOOD serves as the Western Region Independent Living Consultant with Project LIFE, a contractual partnership between the Virginia Department of Social Services and United Methodist Family Services.  Project LIFE is a team of regional Independent Living and Best Practice Consultants working throughout Virginia to improve independent skills training and promote permanency and success for older youth who are in and transitioning out of the foster care system.