Blog

Mindfulness for Foster Youth: Our Journey of Adaptation and Engagement 

At First Place for Youth (FPFY), we’re committed to continually improving our programs to better serve transition-age youth in foster care. Recently, we participated in an innovative project to modify the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) mindfulness curriculum for our Youth Transitions Partnership (YTP) program in Alameda County, California. This five-month effort in 2023 aimed to make our mindfulness component more engaging and relevant to our participants, with the goal of increasing early engagement in the program. 

The Need for Change 
The YTP program blends service coordination, intensive case management, and DBT to improve outcomes for foster youth in areas like housing, education, and social-emotional well-being. However, early engagement was a persistent challenge, and the group hypothesized that the DBT materials might not feel relevant to all participants, leading some to lose interest quickly. 

Our Collaborative Approach 
We contributed to a diverse 14-member advisory group to guide the modification process, including: 

  • Alameda County YTP administrators 
  • Evaluation team members 
  • Our YTP coaches and supervisors 
  • DBT practitioners 
  • Mindfulness and meditation experts 
  • A youth advocate with lived experience in foster care  

This multidisciplinary approach ensured that various perspectives informed our curriculum changes. 

Key Modifications 
The YTP coaching team focused their revisions on three main areas: 

  1. Cadence: We adjusted when and how concepts were introduced, allowing more time for participants to absorb and apply new ideas. 
  2. Framing: Our coaches made a conscious effort to move away from language about “control” when discussing mindfulness, instead emphasizing awareness and reflection. 
  3. Structure: We added more interactive elements, such as a Family Feud-style game and engaging videos, to break up the lecture format and keep participants interested. 

Youth Feedback: A Critical Component 
What truly sets this project apart is our emphasis on youth feedback. We tested both the original and modified curriculum with youth advocates, gathering their insights through focus groups. This direct input from young people with foster care experience was invaluable. 

Some key takeaways from the youth feedback: 

  • Participants appreciated the more interactive format and engaging activities. 
  • They suggested even more small-group discussions and breakout sessions. 
  • Youth emphasized the importance of considering different learning styles. 
  • They noted that their ability to engage varies day-to-day based on external factors in their lives. 

Ongoing Improvements and Future Plans 
We’re excited about our commitment to continuous improvement. YTP coaches are: 

  • Building a bank of mindfulness exercises connected to specific skills or lessons 
  • Developing their own mindfulness practices to better relate to the youth they serve 
  • Focusing on supporting neurodivergent youth through DBT 
  • Approaching mindfulness with cultural sensitivity 

Looking ahead, we hope to revise participant materials further and potentially modify other DBT skills modules. 

Lessons Learned 
This project has offered us valuable lessons for adapting evidence-based interventions for specific populations: 

  1. Include program participants in the modification process from the start. 
  2. Assemble a diverse advisory group with varied expertise. 
  3. Be willing to make significant changes to improve engagement. 
  4. Test modifications and gather feedback iteratively. 
  5. Consider cultural relevance and diverse learning styles. 

    We’re proud to announce we’re partnering with Santa Clara Department of Child and Family Services to expand our DBT work. As we continue to strive for better outcomes for youth in foster care, we’re proud of our efforts to make our interventions more relevant and effective for the young people we serve. We look forward to seeing how these modifications impact engagement in our YTP program and hope our experience inspires other organizations to undertake similar efforts to improve their services for vulnerable youth populations. 

    Read the complete report HERE: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/report/modifying-dialectical-behavior-therapy-mindfulness-curriculum-implemented-transition 

    Blog

    Building Brighter Futures: Our Partnership with The Relatives

    At First Place for Youth, we are proud to partner with The Relatives in Mecklenburg County, NC, an organization that […]

    Read More

    In the Media

    ‘First Place For Youth’ program to provide housing, employment for youth aging out of foster care

    Read More

    In the Media

    Forbes EQ – Bread And Roses: A Rallying Cry For Social Justice

    Read More
    To top