Community grant deadline approaching

McCOOK, Neb. -- There are certain life skills expected as a young person becomes an adult, such as balancing a checkbook, doing laundry or changing a flat tire. But for some kids leaving foster care, these skills may not be in place and that is where Prairie Plains CASA -- Court Appointed Special Advocates -- has stepped up to the plate with an advisory program for older youths in the area.

Last year, the local CASA program expanded its facility on Norris Avenue to provide space for the program. And with a grant from the McCook Community Foundation Fund this year, the training program will be expanded to help older youth who are aging out of foster care.

The MCFF grant to CASA was one of a half-dozen grants totaling more than $15,000 distributed so far this year. The deadline for the next round of grants from MCFF is nearing again with applications due by Saturday, Oct. 1 with nearly $30,000 available.

With the MCFF grant, CASA's program for older youth will be expanded to teach area youth the skills they need to live independently that many of us take for granted. Areas to be addressed include finding housing, efficient meal preparation, what cleaning supplies to use, getting and keeping a job. The list is endless but will include how to talk to a doctor, learn basic first aid and manage money.

In order to do this, CASA volunteers are trained to not only how to best advocate for older youth but to mentor and teach the youth how to advocate for themselves.

"Most people have someone they can call," CASA program director Cathy McDowell said. "But these kids are suddenly on their own."

According to McDowell, approximately 25 percent of former foster youth nationwide are homeless with two to four years after leaving foster care. "They are ill-prepared to suddenly live independently and figure out on their own what foster care previously did for them -- feed, clothe and house themselves," she said.

In addition to the volunteers, CASA will work with local experts and business owners in the community to help the youth learn these basic skills. "Ultimately, we want the kids to stay in the area and become productive members of our local society," she said. "We struggle because these kids are transient and don't build that network of support. They are apprehensive and intimidated and we want to help them overcome those hurdles."

To reach this goal, they have developed assessment tools to determine which kids should be part of the program as well as what the kids want and need to learn.

Another area the program hopes to address are the disadvantages some of the children face as they leave foster care. Sometimes, the few belonging these kids have are placed in trash bags rather than a suitcase or duffle bag, a further indignity, McDowell said. So CASA is always looking for donations - monetary or actual suitcases - to hold their old stuff as well as new supplies.

"McDowell said they have learned that their best option is to change the kids, rather than the parents. "Ultimately, we want to give the kids the local resources and connections they need to be successful."

The McCook Community Foundation Fund is gearing up for distribution of the next round of grants, with applications due by Saturday, Oct. 1. For more information or a grant form, send an email to mcffund@gmail.com.