This document summarizes the work of a committee to define normalcy for youth in foster care. It provides a timeline of the committee's work from 2013-2015. The committee gathered input from various states on what youth feel is normal and not normal. It then developed six categories to define aspects of normalcy: 1) normalcy and families, 2) normalcy and peer inclusion, 3) normalcy and community inclusion, 4) normalcy and cultural awareness, 5) normalcy and age-related milestones, and 6) normalcy and decision-making. The document concludes with suggestions for implementing the normalcy definition, including establishing a task force and referencing the "prudent parent standard" set forth in existing legislation

1. Defining Normalcy:
NEYC Normalcy-Permanency Committee
Presentation compiled by: Dakota Roundtree-Swain (MA)

2. Randy – RI
Kaylia – RI
Daniella – NH
Tyneshia – ME
Brieanna – NH
Mark – NH
Traci – NH
Chris – VT
Anna – VT
Vince – CT
Abrielle - VT
Committee
Members
August 2014

3. From Left to Right: Keith (RI), Dakota (MA), Corey (NH), Tyneshia (ME),
Traci (NH), Randy (RI), Vincent (CT), Jacob (RI)
Committee Members July 2015

4. Normalcy Definition Timeline
January-February 2013: NEYC asks each state what their youth feel is
normal and what is not.
August 2013: Normalcy Permanency Committee takes over development of
Normalcy definition
February 2014: The committee starts to look at all the information gathered
from the states that sent in what they had.
Tyneshia - MEVincent - CT

5. Normalcy Definition Timeline
August 2014: The committee
shows the NEYC group and
takes suggestions and talks
about the wording and what
things should be added or taken
out.
➔ Committee members paired off
➔ Each pair took three categories
➔ Currently taking language from
each state and making it into a
singular statement per category
Gradients of Agreement on
Preamble

6. ● To ensure that all youth have access to the same opportunities as
youth not in care.
● To raise awareness about things in foster care that are not normal.
● So youth-in-care don’t have to feel “different” or categorized.
● Because it’s “kid” not “foster kid”.
● Because we were a generation of people who couldn’t, trying to
make a generation of people who can.
Why are we trying to define “normalcy”?

7. ● “Normal” refers to standard or usual activities regularly
experienced by youth not in out-of-home care.
Normalcy is making your life as normal as
possible while in care.
What is Normalcy?

8. There is nothing “normal” about being removed from the home you grew up
in.
● Ensures regular visits with family and siblings
● Placements should respect youth’s desires around family visits
These efforts include:
● Contact with youth and parent/guardian upon placement
● Regular phone calls with parent/guardian
● Support for face-to-face time with parent/guardian including visits in the
community or at the family home
● Support for permanency planning
1) Normalcy and Families

9. ● Background checks for sleepovers are not normal
and there are less intrusive and faster ways to
determine if an environment is safe.
● Consider the unique needs of each youth when
making decisions about sleepovers, keeping in
mind that often youth who identify as
LGBTQQAA have been denied overnights with
opposite-sex friends while also being denied
same-sex friends.
2) Normalcy and Peer Inclusion

10. Youth in care shall have opportunities to build relationships within their home
and school communities equal to their peers not in care.
This includes involvement in:
● Volunteering
● Participating in sports and other extra-curricular clubs
● Attending school or community events
● Going to camp
● Having a part-time job
● Joining mentoring programs
● Being involved in faith-based programs
3) Normalcy and Community Inclusion

11. “Youth in care shall be able to express themselves as they
choose, because all people have the right to enjoy freedom,
love, and safety regardless of their circumstances.”
This section includes special attention to:
● LGBTQ youth
● Native youth
4) Normalcy and Cultural Awareness

12. Youth in care shall be supported to reach age-related milestones. Examples of
these milestones include, but are not limited to:
● Getting a driver’s license
● Opening a bank account and learning money management skills
● Adjusting curfew, allowances, allowing for romantic relationships
● Celebrating birthdays, graduations, and other achievements
● Taking steps to prepare for adulthood, higher education, and the work
force.
5) Normalcy and Age Related Milestones

13. ● Youth shall be allowed to make their own age-appropriate choices--
even when others fear the youth might make a mistake.
● We must allow for normal consequences which are situational and age
appropriate.
6) Normalcy and Decision-Making

14. Task Force:
● 1-3 years
● No need for budgetary allocation
● Increase accountability and ensure proper implementation
“Prudent Parent Standard”:
● See: Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act
Subtitle B: Improving Opportunities for Children in Foster Care and
Supporting Permanency.
Liability Clause
Implementation Suggestions