Giving Foster Youth a Voice with Video
Donation protected
Description
Foster youth are given cameras to create video self-portraits—recording what is important to them whether it is drawings, their favorite places, music, dancing. With the youth as creators, the videos are authentic and representative of their personalities and personal values, thereby giving them a voice in a complex process.
· A filmmaker provides training and coaches the youth during a process of discovery and self-expression.
· The program will focus on teens in foster care and foster youth transitioning out of care.
· For foster youth, the videos provide an additional resource to child-specific recruiters in the process of finding permanent families
· For youth transitioning out of care the process provides skills and support during a critical life passage.
The Pilot (Fall 2019): 5 young men and women who were formerly in foster care will create the first videos and help me refine the process for a solid permanent program. This funding is for the pilot program.
Background to the Idea
My understanding of adoption changed dramatically in 2008 when I attended an adoption conference. Not only was I startled by the price to adopt (it was out of my range), it was also a glimpse into what I soon learned is a very complex system. That day led to a desire to do something, create some kind of positive change for adoptive children.
Several years later I began exploring ideas for improvements. I quickly realized that changes in the system was a mammoth feat that others were tackling. I also discovered that an affordable way to adopt is foster care adoption. I still wasn’t in a position to adopt, but I started reading about foster adoption and looking at profiles. (All foster children available for adoption will have a case number and a profile.) The profiles lacked video.
While corporate video was expanding greatly, communications for foster children had no videos. Video services for foster children—to help them get adopted—made sense to me. Financial reasons put the idea on a back burner, but it never left my mind.
Discovery, Concept Testing and Market Research
In Fall 2018 in order to research for 3 months, I took out a small loan. By this time videos were being used and had been for several years: in profiles, by placement agencies, on the news and as child success stories. Most videos of foster children are very good quality. But all have a staged feel to them. I couldn’t help but wonder about these children, their personalities and how they could be better represented. I also wondered if the videos helped with placement rates.
I arranged phone calls with professionals in the field and listened to their feedback. I conducted market research—online surveys with foster youth, interviews with foster alumni (people formerly in foster care) and a focus group with child-specific recruiters—and all results supported the idea of video services for foster youth. The idea evolved and strengthened: not only could it help foster kids get adopted and give them a voice, but also the process could be a tool for the youth to find mentors and/or a support network.
Program Description
Foster youth are given cameras and guided in the creation of video self-portraits, recording what is important to them whether it is drawings, their favorite places, music, dancing. A filmmaker provides training (camera techniques, lighting, angles) and coaches the youth during a process of discovery and self-expression. With youth as creators, the video self-portraits are authentic and representative of their personalities and personal values, thereby giving them a voice in a complex process. The program will focus on teens in foster care and foster youth transitioning out of care. [The videos of foster youth in care will only be available to case workers and child specific recruiter as a resource to help place the child. They will not be available to the public.]
The Pilot Program
The Pilot Program—the next step of development—is a market test, creating the first video self-portraits with foster youth. I've identified 5 young men and women who were formerly in foster care. Their attention and experience will help me refine the process for a solid program. They are awesome people ready to contribute and create.
The funding requested is for costs associated with the Pilot Program.
Breakdown of costs:
Cameras and Equipment: $2400*
Website, social, marketing, promotion: $400
Professional Fees (legal, accounting, registration): $1500
Travel and Workshop Expenses: $300
Labor (production and post production): $2800
*I’ve identified small Canon camcorders that give flexibility and quality without a huge price tag. Equipment includes cases, small tripods, mics, batteries and SD cards.
I have significant experience as a Creative Director, guiding and mentoring creative teams, and consulting nonprofit organizations. I’ve produced corporate videos and a documentary that was accepted into the Yonkers Film Festival.
Cycling Event
This fundraiser kicks off with a Cycling Fundraiser and Awareness Campaign. On August 14 2019 we'll cycle from Northeast PA to CASA-SHaW in Washington, NJ and then to CASA-CAMDEN. A CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. CASA-SHaW (Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren) and CASA-Camden are affiliates of CASA of NJ, which are nonprofit organizations providing well-trained volunteer advocates for children living in foster care. CASAs understand the vital need for the child to have a voice in the courtroom—and that each child is an individual with unique needs. Learn About the Cycling Event.
CASA-SHaW website CASA of Camden County website
A few statistics and links:
------
Nationally, 164,554 older youth ages 14 to 21 were in the foster care system in fiscal year (FY) 2017, making up nearly a quarter of the country’s overall foster care population.[1] A young person’s brain undergoes large developmental changes between the ages of 14 and 25. During this time, young people are exploring their sense of identity, seeking greater independence, and developing decision-making and coping skills.[2] [June 3, 2019 Childtrends.org ]
[1] Based on Child Trends Analysis of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System data.
[2] Arnett, J. J. (2007). Emerging adulthood: What is it, and what is it good for? Child Development Perspectives, 1(2), 68–73.
For many children in the foster care system, their frustrations stem from one main source: They feel their voices go unheard. “I do think that sometimes we aren't very good at listening to kids or engaging with kids,” Goodman says. “Some people just don't value the youth voice — and I think we should.”--Denise Goodman, a child welfare professional and consultant with the Annie E. Casey Foundation [https://mashable.com/article/foster-care-problems/ ]
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Thank you in advance for donating. This pilot allows us develop a strong foundation for a very promising program for foster youth.
About Yellow Hat Films
Yellow Hat Films is a newly registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. Yellow for Optimism.
Tax Benefits: Donations are deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Read more about charitable donations: https://www.gofundme.com/c/blog/charitable-donations-tax-deduction
Read More about YellowHatFilms.org
Facebook: YellowHatFilms
Instagram: YellowHatFilmsInc
Twitter: YellowHatFilmz
Glossary
From ChildWelfare.gov https://www.childwelfare.gov/glossary/glossarya/
foster care adoption: Adoption of children who are in the custody of their State or county’s Department of Child and Family Services. These adoptions are usually handled by local public agencies and/or private agencies under contract with their State or county.
foster child: A child who has been placed in the State or county’s legal custody because the child’s custodial parents/guardians are unable to provide a safe family home due to abuse, neglect, or an inability to care for the child.
Foster youth are given cameras to create video self-portraits—recording what is important to them whether it is drawings, their favorite places, music, dancing. With the youth as creators, the videos are authentic and representative of their personalities and personal values, thereby giving them a voice in a complex process.
· A filmmaker provides training and coaches the youth during a process of discovery and self-expression.
· The program will focus on teens in foster care and foster youth transitioning out of care.
· For foster youth, the videos provide an additional resource to child-specific recruiters in the process of finding permanent families
· For youth transitioning out of care the process provides skills and support during a critical life passage.
The Pilot (Fall 2019): 5 young men and women who were formerly in foster care will create the first videos and help me refine the process for a solid permanent program. This funding is for the pilot program.
Background to the Idea
My understanding of adoption changed dramatically in 2008 when I attended an adoption conference. Not only was I startled by the price to adopt (it was out of my range), it was also a glimpse into what I soon learned is a very complex system. That day led to a desire to do something, create some kind of positive change for adoptive children.
Several years later I began exploring ideas for improvements. I quickly realized that changes in the system was a mammoth feat that others were tackling. I also discovered that an affordable way to adopt is foster care adoption. I still wasn’t in a position to adopt, but I started reading about foster adoption and looking at profiles. (All foster children available for adoption will have a case number and a profile.) The profiles lacked video.
While corporate video was expanding greatly, communications for foster children had no videos. Video services for foster children—to help them get adopted—made sense to me. Financial reasons put the idea on a back burner, but it never left my mind.
Discovery, Concept Testing and Market Research
In Fall 2018 in order to research for 3 months, I took out a small loan. By this time videos were being used and had been for several years: in profiles, by placement agencies, on the news and as child success stories. Most videos of foster children are very good quality. But all have a staged feel to them. I couldn’t help but wonder about these children, their personalities and how they could be better represented. I also wondered if the videos helped with placement rates.
I arranged phone calls with professionals in the field and listened to their feedback. I conducted market research—online surveys with foster youth, interviews with foster alumni (people formerly in foster care) and a focus group with child-specific recruiters—and all results supported the idea of video services for foster youth. The idea evolved and strengthened: not only could it help foster kids get adopted and give them a voice, but also the process could be a tool for the youth to find mentors and/or a support network.
Program Description
Foster youth are given cameras and guided in the creation of video self-portraits, recording what is important to them whether it is drawings, their favorite places, music, dancing. A filmmaker provides training (camera techniques, lighting, angles) and coaches the youth during a process of discovery and self-expression. With youth as creators, the video self-portraits are authentic and representative of their personalities and personal values, thereby giving them a voice in a complex process. The program will focus on teens in foster care and foster youth transitioning out of care. [The videos of foster youth in care will only be available to case workers and child specific recruiter as a resource to help place the child. They will not be available to the public.]
The Pilot Program
The Pilot Program—the next step of development—is a market test, creating the first video self-portraits with foster youth. I've identified 5 young men and women who were formerly in foster care. Their attention and experience will help me refine the process for a solid program. They are awesome people ready to contribute and create.
The funding requested is for costs associated with the Pilot Program.
Breakdown of costs:
Cameras and Equipment: $2400*
Website, social, marketing, promotion: $400
Professional Fees (legal, accounting, registration): $1500
Travel and Workshop Expenses: $300
Labor (production and post production): $2800
*I’ve identified small Canon camcorders that give flexibility and quality without a huge price tag. Equipment includes cases, small tripods, mics, batteries and SD cards.
I have significant experience as a Creative Director, guiding and mentoring creative teams, and consulting nonprofit organizations. I’ve produced corporate videos and a documentary that was accepted into the Yonkers Film Festival.
Cycling Event
This fundraiser kicks off with a Cycling Fundraiser and Awareness Campaign. On August 14 2019 we'll cycle from Northeast PA to CASA-SHaW in Washington, NJ and then to CASA-CAMDEN. A CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. CASA-SHaW (Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren) and CASA-Camden are affiliates of CASA of NJ, which are nonprofit organizations providing well-trained volunteer advocates for children living in foster care. CASAs understand the vital need for the child to have a voice in the courtroom—and that each child is an individual with unique needs. Learn About the Cycling Event.
CASA-SHaW website CASA of Camden County website
A few statistics and links:
------
Nationally, 164,554 older youth ages 14 to 21 were in the foster care system in fiscal year (FY) 2017, making up nearly a quarter of the country’s overall foster care population.[1] A young person’s brain undergoes large developmental changes between the ages of 14 and 25. During this time, young people are exploring their sense of identity, seeking greater independence, and developing decision-making and coping skills.[2] [June 3, 2019 Childtrends.org ]
[1] Based on Child Trends Analysis of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System data.
[2] Arnett, J. J. (2007). Emerging adulthood: What is it, and what is it good for? Child Development Perspectives, 1(2), 68–73.
For many children in the foster care system, their frustrations stem from one main source: They feel their voices go unheard. “I do think that sometimes we aren't very good at listening to kids or engaging with kids,” Goodman says. “Some people just don't value the youth voice — and I think we should.”--Denise Goodman, a child welfare professional and consultant with the Annie E. Casey Foundation [https://mashable.com/article/foster-care-problems/ ]
-----
Thank you in advance for donating. This pilot allows us develop a strong foundation for a very promising program for foster youth.
About Yellow Hat Films
Yellow Hat Films is a newly registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. Yellow for Optimism.
Tax Benefits: Donations are deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Read more about charitable donations: https://www.gofundme.com/c/blog/charitable-donations-tax-deduction
Read More about YellowHatFilms.org
Facebook: YellowHatFilms
Instagram: YellowHatFilmsInc
Twitter: YellowHatFilmz
Glossary
From ChildWelfare.gov https://www.childwelfare.gov/glossary/glossarya/
foster care adoption: Adoption of children who are in the custody of their State or county’s Department of Child and Family Services. These adoptions are usually handled by local public agencies and/or private agencies under contract with their State or county.
foster child: A child who has been placed in the State or county’s legal custody because the child’s custodial parents/guardians are unable to provide a safe family home due to abuse, neglect, or an inability to care for the child.
Organiser
Teresa Bonner
Organiser
Jersey City, NJ
