Who We Are
Growing OAKS is an initiative for Circuit 12. Key leaders from various entities coming together in collaboration to identify gaps in the infrastructure of foster care aging out and produce innovative solutions to those gaps. The Growing OAKS Initiative (OAKS), established as an Align Round Table in February of 2022 and an Align Initiative in August of 2022.
Our Mission
Our mission through collaborative action is to bridge gaps between policy and practice, empower youth and young adults with foster care experience to build strong, self-sufficient futures.
Our Focus
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Our number two focus are families that are in crises
that are on the waitlist for the CAT TEAM who are not being provided services and connections to resources. Finding a short-term and a long-term solution with implementation for these families in Manatee County helps prevent and reduce Foster Care Children from going into the system as well as provides much needed services to these families.
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Our number three focus is implementing a collaborative system
that also coordinates efforts for the amazing organizations that currently provide the much needed services for Foster Care Individuals Aging Out of the system.
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Our number one focus is mentorship.
Building a supplemental mentorship program or building a piece of the puzzle in mentorship programs that can be added to their services.
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Our number four focus is establishing recommended policies or solutions
based on data, research, and those in the field or specifics that continue to surface at our Round Tables in what you are seeing in your line of work. From the DJJ system, to homelessness, housing, or equitable funding. Connecting individuals with what is already currently being worked on so we are not duplicating or reinventing the wheel for our counties in these areas.