For young people aging out of foster care, the future can often seem uncertain. Those who work with Child Welfare Case Manager Brandon Fernbach can feel more secure knowing they have a strong advocate in their corner. Brandon supports young adults aged 18 to 23 who have aged out of the foster care system and have chosen to participate in programs like Extended Foster Care. This program allows these young adults to continue receiving vital support and services, including case management, housing assistance and job training.

Inspired by a family member who worked in child welfare, Brandon joined FamiliesFirst Network in 2020, despite holding a degree in hospitality management. After initially working as a family support worker, where he gained valuable experience, he transitioned to case management in Young Adult Services in 2021. Some of his responsibilities include conducting monthly face-to-face visits, performing safety assessments, providing life skills coaching and promoting independence among the young adults he supports.

“When I first started, I inherited many older cases that were about to age out of our programs and still did not have their diplomas. I can proudly say that about 90% of my current caseload has obtained their GEDs or high school diplomas, and five of them received their diplomas in the past three to four months.”

“Even though she didn’t reach the finish line within the age parameters, seeing her finally cross it and cheer for her loudly was amazing.”

Brandon is a passionate sports enthusiast who sees his role at FamiliesFirst Network as both a coach and a cheerleader. He is dedicated to supporting the young adults he works with, providing them with the necessary tools to reach their goals.

He recounts a significant experience with a young man he started mentoring when the client was just 18. The client, who initially lived independently, began associating with an older crowd and soon got into trouble. His behavior negatively affected his living situation, and he was ultimately asked to leave. Within a year, he had moved three times, a pattern that was counterproductive to the stability Brandon was trying to help him achieve. When it became necessary, Brandon took him to a homeless shelter as a last resort. Expressing the need for independence and believing he could manage on his own, he left the program. Months later, after facing some difficult challenges, he reached out to Brandon and asked to rejoin Young Adults Services. The client succeeded in earning his high school diploma but met some extreme difficulties with transportation and assistance during his time away. Realizing the Young Adult Services program provided the tools he needs to be successful, he demonstrated his commitment by stopping by the office to show the team his first pay stub. Fast forward fifteen months, he’s not only still employed but is also approaching an assistant manager position, all while preparing to start technical college in the upcoming fall semester.

Brandon emphasizes that even though he had to implement tough love during their journey, both he and the young man reflect on the experience as a pivotal moment. “Those are some of the best success stories,” Brandon remarks. “They’ve experienced how tough it can be on their own, and often it takes realizing what they had before they can appreciate it fully. Once they understand that, they’re ready to take things more seriously.”

Brandon believes that anyone with the right passion and dedication can succeed in the field of child welfare, regardless of their academic background. He views his role as similar to that of a coach on a sports team. “Everyone involved has a crucial role to play in helping these young adults succeed, just like on a team. We must all work together to ensure they have the tools needed for success, but ultimately, it is up to the player to put in the effort to win the game.”

To work with dedicated team members like Brandon, visit our Careers site.