Exploring Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Support Life Skills Education for Young Adults in Extended Foster Care.

SOCIAL capital; COMMUNICATIVE competence; INTERPROFESSIONAL relations; FOCUS groups; QUALITATIVE research; FOSTER home care; PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation; TRANSITIONAL care; THEMATIC analysis; SOCIAL skills; INTERDISCIPLINARY research; SOCIAL support; DELPHI method; SOCIAL skills education; EVALUATION

Outcomes for youth transitioning out of foster care are poor despite participation in current transition programming. Research shows a lack of interdisciplinary programming with demonstrated outcomes, pinpointing service needs for youth transitioning from care. Occupational therapy practitioners are an existing evidence-based resource in the areas of transition and life skills, however, are not currently employed on transition teams. Led by an interdisciplinary community advisory board, this exploratory project identified key components of an intervention designed to improve outcomes for youth in transition. Using Delphi Survey Methodology and qualitative inquiry, the project found the following under-resourced areas in YTC programming which align with occupational therapy practice: social skills, coping skills, communication skills, safety awareness, and self-understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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