Real Connections
The goal of the Real Connections program is "to ensure that all youth leave state care with positive, permanent adult connections and options for a successful future." Real Connections, collaborates with DCYF and community agencies to identify adult connections for teens, ages 12-21, who are vulnerable to "aging out" of state care without positive, consistent adults to rely on. We believe that relationships with caring adults are central to a young person's ability to transition successfully into adulthood.
The program identifies adult supports for youth in care in two key ways.
Tapping a Youth's Existing Network: Real Connections staff support youth and their care providers in identifying adults from their existing network that have the potential to become positive, life long supports. Real Connections employs a mentoring model to strengthen those relationships that are not immediate placement options but can provide long term support. The program searches beyond immediate family members to identify extended family and "fictive kin," which could include coaches, teachers, neighbors and the other valuable community resources that are too often overlooked.
Engaging Community Mentors: In addition to identifying adults within the youth's own network, the program also seeks to recruit community mentors to fill in the gaps when the youth's existing network is not able to meet all of their needs.
If you are interested in becoming a Real Connection for a youth in care, download the Mentor Brochure (pdf) or contact Emily Buckbee directly at 401-438-3900 x103. If you are a provider agency interested in learning more please download our Provider Brochure (pdf) or contact Julie DiBari at 401-438-3900 x101.
