Go Out and Live Life (GOALL)

The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 includes a provision that the voice of youths be heard when agencies are developing independent living programs. The Center and DSS organized the GOALL group to ensure this stipulation is met. GOALL comprises up to 10 youths ages 16 and over who either are currently in foster care or have recently been emancipated from care.

Under the direction of The Center’s facilitator for GOALL, the advisory group meets once a month. The facilitator serves as the liaison with DSS, but the youths themselves plan the group’s agenda.

Since its inception in January 2000, GOALL members have made several major contributions to DSS. They wrote a Bill of Rights for foster children. DSS has made the Bill of Rights part of their policies and has distributed it to the counties. GOALL also created two brochures. One is for children just coming into foster care, and the other is for adolescents who are preparing to live independently.

The youths have served on numerous panels and made presentations at statewide and national conferences. They have also reviewed and critiqued many policies and projects both for DSS and for The Center.

For more information about GOALL and its activities, contact Jill Jiunnies at jhinnant@sc.rr.com.