Name
Shayne Jervey
Title
Senior Director of Programs at Cayuga Centers Delaware
Program
Treatment Family Foster Care
Region
Delaware
Time with Cayuga Centers
Since 2017
Shayne Jervey, a long-time employee and Program Director of Cayuga Centers’ Delaware’s Treatment Family Foster Care program, brings both passion and insight to her role. Shayne reflects on the journey that led her to a career helping youth in foster care—and the impact she strives to make each day.
About Treatment Family Foster Care
Treatment Family Foster Care (TFFC) offers comprehensive services and support for teenagers in foster care, foster parents, and birth families. While a young person resides in a foster home, they receive wrap-around services to ensure they have the resources needed to thrive. TFFC also provides the necessary support to help families navigate the journey toward permanency, ensuring everyone has the tools for success.
Support comes in many forms from the TFFC Treatment Team. They provide mentorship, case planning, therapy, behavioral support, and more. The goal is to make sure young people in foster care can transfer out of the system and are set up for future success.
As a program director, Shayne is part of a team committed to the safety, permanency, and well-being of every teenager they serve.
Why Shayne chose a career in helping teenagers in foster care
“I’ve been working in the foster care system since 2001,” Shayne explains. “When I tell people about my work, I am almost immediately met with questions about opportunities to support babies in foster care or how to donate formula, diapers, and toys to young children in foster care. Perhaps these questions are brought on due to the number of images and stories of young kids in foster care frequently circulated in the media. And while it is true that there are young children in need of loving homes, I’m frequently struck by how little attention is given to older youth and teenagers in the system. When someone decides to become a foster parent, they often picture caring for a young child. However, we must remember that babies and young kids grow up—and many remain in foster care as teenagers. “
It is important to Shayne that we change the conversation surrounding teens in foster care. By changing the perspectives and addressing myths about what it’s like to foster a teen, we can make sure that more teens have homes.
“There are a limited number of foster homes available across the country – and that number is even smaller when it comes to families willing to take in teenagers. This fact is extremely disheartening, considering how vital it is to support teens on the cusp of adulthood. Teenagers may have different needs than younger children, but they still need homes, care, and support. Having someone to guide them through life’s challenges and celebrate their achievements is crucial to their future success.”
Why Cayuga Centers Treatment Family Foster Care model stands out among the rest
“One of the things I am most proud of about our program is our focus on teenagers in foster care and supporting them as they enter adulthood,” Shayne shares. “I am proud to lead a team that specializes in providing treatment-level foster care, also known as therapeutic foster care, with homes specifically for teens and adolescents. The key to providing these homes is our dedicated foster parents.”
Shayne also gives credit to Cayuga Centers Foster Care Treatment team. This team is essential in not only supporting teenagers in care, but supporting foster parents as well. The team is available 24/7 for support and crisis care.
“In order to support teenagers in our program, Cayuga Centers has robust supports in place for foster parents. We work hard to train and be there for our foster parents so that they feel skilled and equipped to manage all the demands, and ups and downs that come with caring for teens.”
Foster parents have the support of our entire treatment team – including a Youth Skills Coach and a Clinician – to support the emotional needs and development of the teen in their care. We also facilitate foster parent support groups so that they have additional support from their fellow foster parents. The team also supports youth if they are in the process of aging out of foster care.
“Foster parents are the ones who do the work day in and day out. They are the ones who show up every day and who dig in and make that commitment. They do this hard work because they believe in their potential and that every teen deserves a home with parents rooting for them.”
→ Click here to learn more about Cayuga Centers Treatment Family Foster Care Program
What Shayne has learned from teenagers in care
Shayne knows that learning goes both ways. She encourages both staff and foster parents to not only support young people, but see how their success can fuel us.
“Teens have a lot to learn from us, but we also have a lot to learn from them. Their successes—whether graduating high school, landing a first job, or passing a driver’s test—are deeply rewarding moments. At first, it may be hard to see the impact that you make. However, as the young adults work through their trauma and grow, you will witness moments of transformation that make it all worthwhile. Watching teenagers experience both failures and successes along the way can inspire us to keep going when life gets tough. No matter how old you are, you don’t outgrow the need for family, connection, belonging, stability, support, and guidance. “
Shayne’s commitment to teens and families
“It takes just one person to change a teen’s life. At this stage in their young adult lives, building connections and a supportive network can set the foundation for a successful future. Having a supportive adult figure means having someone who believes not only in their current success but the future successes to come.”
Shayne encourages people not to overlook or give up on teenagers in foster care. After all, they are the future.
If you are interested in working with teenagers in foster care, check out Cayuga Centers’ open positions at cayugacenters.org/careers
