DSW CANDIDATES

Jasmine Thomas

MSW

It Takes a Village: Exploring How Continuing Education and Resource Utilization Helps to Guide Discussion Making Around Foster Children Prior To Aging Out of Care

Abstract

Foster care is a complex and often overlooked aspect of our society. When children are placed in foster care, it is usually due to circumstances beyond their control. These children often come from traumatic and unstable backgrounds, and the foster care system becomes their temporary home. However, one of the biggest challenges these children face is aging out of the system. As they reach the age of 18, they are expected to suddenly become independent adults, without the support and guidance that a stable family provides. By utilizing the CANS tool along with additional strength-base resources, foster children are equipped with the resources needed to navigate the challenging process of transitioning out of care. This capstone will examine the implications for children aging out of foster care and the implementation of systematic research and interventions to address this issue. It will also examine the various strategies and interventions that have been successful in promoting continuing education and educational support. It takes a village to raise a child, and this is especially true for children in foster care. By coming together as a community, investing in their education, advocation and utilizing available resources, foster youth will have a positive and successful transition to adulthood.

Bio

Jasmine has roughly 10 years of experience working with children and families in the foster care system in North Carolina. She began her career working as a CPS Social Work investigator, servicing multiple local cities. Jasmine now serves as a Special Victims Unit Social Worker for the Department of Social Work in North Carolina, specializing in investigating physical, sexual, and emotional abuse cases of children.

She is a 2014 graduate of North Carolina Central University, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Social work, and a 2016 graduate of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where she obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work. Jasmine also holds a Post-Graduate Certification in Anti- Racism in Urban Education from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is currently a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Candidate at The University of Kentucky.

Jasmine’s research interest includes children and families as it relates to foster children and access to resources upon aging out of foster care. By leveraging her position and resources, Jasmine has initiated a series of programs aimed at addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by foster children.

Jasmine received multiple accolades, including a 2018 Award Recipient for North Carolina Central University’s 40 Under 40 and a 2018 Recipient for the Top 30 Under 30 Future Leaders of Charlotte. She is also a member of The Charlotte Alumni Chapter of North Carolina Central University and The Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.