In-Depth Profiles®

Too often, youth in foster care are defined by the circumstances that brought them into the system or by their case files. We miss the opportunity to uplift and advocate for them as they are: funny, creative, resilient, contradictory, still-becoming people whose lives have been completely upended through no fault of their own.

That’s why we created the In-Depth Profiles® model. An In-Depth Profile is a youth-driven multimedia project that allows a young person to introduce themselves to potential permanent families. Our youth engagement specialists ask, “So what do you want to share? And how do you want to share it?”

The responses are as unique as each young person we work with:

• Will’s podcast about his ambition to visit four countries in Africa.
• Janelle’s carpool karaoke performance and playlist of her favorite music.
• Macy’s written narrative about what a permanent family would mean to her: unconditional love and parents to have fun with!
• Charlie’s series of cooking demonstrations: how to make his favorite lasagna.

In addition to the projects above, youth have done magazine layouts, paintings, stop-motion films, movie reviews, and sports exhibitions. Our youth engagement specialists, with expertise in working with youth and digital media, will support anything a youth can dream up, in whatever medium.

Some youth want to share goals and future hopes, while others simply showcase their interests. Many youth also choose to include voices of trusted adults in their lives—social workers, teachers, therapists, CASAs, and others—who can speak to their personality and strengths. Youth approve the entire final product before caseworkers share it with potential families.

Benefits

In-Depth Profiles are a path to permanency:

• Youth tell us that, when they have control over what is shared about them, they feel excited and engaged in permanency planning.
• Teens with In-Depth Profiles have seen increases in inquiries from families—and we find that the inquiries through In-Depth Profiles are more likely to lead to connection.
• Creating an In-Depth Profile is an opportunity for a youth’s team to collaborate and deepen their relationships.

When youth have authorship over their story and a voice in who learns about them and how, something shifts. They begin to believe harder in the idea of permanency and become more willing to participate. Empowered youth are better able to advocate for their needs, and, in turn, families and caseworkers are better able to meet them. In-Depth Profiles are a great way to engage and center youth and are one part of a strong foundation for building permanency.

Recognized as a best practice

In 2021, the National Adoption Association updated its standards-of-practice guidance, identifying engaging youth in recruitment plans as a standard—and In-Depth Profiles as an exemplar of best practice:

All youth should have a role in approving their own recruitment materials and should be engaged throughout the process. For older youth in particular, their voice in this process provides not only input but gives the youth a level of control over their own adoption journey…

In-Depth Profiles go beyond traditional family recruitment methods and ensure older youth have the leading voice in finding an adoptive family.

NAA Standards & Ethics, p. 23

Bring In-Depth Profiles to your agency

We’re excited to partner with agencies interested in bringing In-Depth Profiles to their region. We’re actively seeking agencies that see youth as the experts of their own stories, who want more than surface-level youth engagement, and who aren’t afraid to try something new when a one-size-fits-all approach to recruitment isn’t equitably serving young people.

We offer:

• Full-service contracted assistance.
• Training and coaching, in person or remote.
• Technical assistance materials, including training manuals, style guides, and templates.
• Multimedia content production.
• Specialized support tailored to fit your needs.