July 2024 News
Project LIFE (Living Independently, Focusing on Empowerment) helps youth in Virginia succeed when they age out of foster care. We do that by helping youth directly and by supporting the professionals who work with them. Our free services are available to any youth ages 14-23 who has experienced the foster care system, as well as any DSS or private provider in Virginia.
Text PLIFE to 833.640.1244 to sign up to get PL news.
Upcoming Statewide Events
Project LIFE hosts Casey Life Skills Assessment Changes & Transition Plan- Virtual Training
Date: August 6, 2024, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
For Professionals via Zoom
Project LIFE will be hosting virtual statewide training for LDSS offices and private providers working with older youth in foster care. Join us to learn about recent changes to the Casey Life Skills Assessment (CLSA.) As of April 11, 2022, the CLSA website stopped processing new assessments. On May 9, 2022, all youth data maintained on the Casey Life Skills Assessment website was deleted. All LDSS workers who are responsible for conducting CLSAs will need to download the new CLSA toolkit. Project LIFE will help explain the changes and will train on how to utilize the new formats of the assessment. Register using the link below. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Reach out to gmack@umfs.org with any questions.
Project LIFE hosts Youth Welfare Approach – Virtual Training
Date: August 14, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
For Professionals via Zoom
LDSS and private provider professionals in the state of VA are invited to join this Youth Welfare Approach training through Zoom. Provided by the Project LIFE team, this interactive workshop will highlight practical ways to apply the Youth Welfare Approach with youth in your care. These ways will effectively engage youth to become more actively involved in their case planning. Key concepts of this training will include shifting our lens from child welfare to youth welfare, and utilizing a good-better-best continuum in youth service provision. Register using the button below, and contact George Mack through email at gmack@umfs.org if you need more information.
Upcoming Regional and Hybrid Events
Eastern Region
July 10, 2024 from 11:30 am -1:00 pm. Log on and receive VDSS State updates by Monica Cabell as well as IL Service Providers. Please contact Melissa Lee at mlee@umfs.org for meeting link.
Western Region
Central Region
July 25, 2024 , 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., continuing monthly
For Youth in-person at UMFS, RRC Building#12
Any Virginia youth, aged 14-23, who has experienced foster care and is a parent, or soon to be parent, to a young child is invited to attend this peer support group. This group will learn together in a safe space while relating with other peers in the same stage of parenthood. Attendees can bring their child(ren) with them to this group, and will be connected to resources, local experts, and prizes/gifts. If you would like to attend or have questions, please contact T at tmurphy@umfs.org.
Piedmont Region
