The Department of Social Services and the MFFK program works together to improve outcomes for youth in foster care. Lifelong Family Connections™ (LFC) for Adolescents prevents youth from aging out of the foster care system without a significant connection in their life. According to the National Resource Center for Youth Services, more than 20,000 adolescents exit the foster care system annually without full preparation for adulthood. However, adolescents are best prepared to transition to adulthood when they have at least one caring, committed adult in their life. LFC’s success is founded on collaboration of all parties and a commitment to a youth-driven process. Training, support and ongoing supervision are essential for all professionals and collaterals and are provided regularly.

LFC has been expanding the program statewide thanks to a federal Adoption Opportunities grant. The program uses seven approaches to develop lifelong relationships for adolescents in the foster care system. All components are youth-driven, strengths-based and culturally competent. These include the following:

  • Community of Care Review—Identifies, locates and explores all potential individuals willing and able to make a commitment to a lifelong connection with a teen.
  • Specialized Adolescent Recruitment—Develops potential permanent placement and/or lifelong family ties for youth who do not have permanent connections within their own Community of Care network.
  • Family Consultation Team™—Youth-centered, family-focused permanency planning team process that includes family members, significant adults and social service providers.
  • Family Bound Training—Provides a group experience that helps prepare adolescents as they work to develop lifelong connections.
  • Parents as Tender Healers (PATH) Training—Adult training to assist in supporting and developing relationships and understanding adolescents’ needs.
  • MFFK Speak Out Team™—Offers support, training and mentoring opportunities from other youth and young adults who have experienced foster care and/or adoption.
  • Specialized Post-Placement Supports—Ongoing contact to identify community supports, strategize and problem solve relationship issues and maintain strength-based focus. Adoption Journeys services provided as well.

If you would like to download our Lifelong Family Connections Flyer, click here.

For more information on Lifelong Family Connections, contact the Program Director, Edwin Gonzalez at 413-586-2303, or email egonzalez@csrox.org.