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Panacek's Board is a taxing authority which receives its money from county property taxes. Its $43 million budget provides contracted-out services to children and families, supports neighborhood-based projects, programs and diversion efforts; invests in innovative approaches to maximize results, and works to identify and lift up best practices. It is a key convener for child-welfare stakeholders and is part of the Community Alliance, a group that oversees the entire child welfare system. Panacek has chaired the Community Alliance and served on the national board for the Child Welfare League of America. She recognizes that independent living and former foster youth have "always been an afterthought," in Florida and across the country.
She credits Diane Zambito, the executive director of Connected by 25, with raising the profile of foster kids and the myriad problems that confront them. "Diane is a go-getter, and very committed to these kids. One of the things that changed the most dramatically with independent living (issues) was Diane. Timing is important, and issues percolate to the surface, but people are key too. Diane brought a business perspective and created partnerships to add in pieces of support and services for the kids."
Panacek points to the long-term effects of allowing foster care youth to languish or fail. "Lots of kids are in foster care now whose parents were foster-care youth. There is a huge economic benefit from helping these kids to be successful. It's sad that kids who are still in high school can age out at 18 and have nowhere to go. We need networks of support for them and communities where they can live. In spite of all that they have been through, they still need so little to be successful. And, for every successful kid, there is one more tax-paying adult and one less person causing problems or breaking the law."
The numbers are sobering. In Hillsborough County, there are 3,500 children in out-of-home care. This is a huge population of vulnerable kids. As superintendent of the 8th largest school system in the country, MaryEllen Elia has thought a lot about foster care youth. "School systems have to determine what the needs are of all students," she says. "Foster care children face daunting situations at different times. They can be taken out of their home, moved to a facility where they await placement, placed with a foster care family, then moved often from family to family. Then, at 18 years, they are out. So, where are they? What supports do they have to start or create a life for themselves? Will they finish their education? Connected by 25 is unique in that it serves that group and provides the special things they need at that time."
Elia believes the dedicated guidance counselors who are now working with foster care youth are filling a critical role. "Foster care kids move a lot. Their records don't follow them quickly—there is a lapse. The counselors help develop an education plan so that they can get into the same courses at the same levels. This helps with their transition." She also is a fan of the Connection with Education school, as it provides an option for kids who have been moved multiple times and have given up on traditional high school. She points to the smaller setting, flexible hours, tutoring, and focused approach as a good alternative for struggling youth who are in foster care or are aging out.
"The system has blind spots," Elia says. "We are creating many problems that society then has to face later, in the future, if kids are not given the support they need now. The costs that we will have to pay if these kids get into trouble far, far outweigh the costs of Connected by 25. We don't do enough preliminary work to help them be successful. Connected by 25 is part of the commitment that the school system has to serve this population with special needs, including social, economic and psychological support. I am very committed to working with our great partners and to doing this."