The following resources present information on effective programs and promising strategies for working with youth transitioning to adulthood. Resources include State and local examples.
Creating Access to Opportunities for Youth in Transition From Foster Care (PDF - 1,772 KB)
American Youth Policy Forum (2014)
Discusses challenges faced by youth transitioning out of foster care in the areas of sustainable social capital, permanency supports, and postsecondary opportunities and identifies promising practices in each area to help make the transition to adulthood successful.
Issue Brief: Evaluating Housing Programs for Youth Who Age Out of Foster Care (PDF - 109 KB)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (2014)
Details the importance of evaluating housing programs for youth aging out of foster care and looks at the barriers to evaluation and how more evidence-based programs can be built.
Promising Practices for Preventing Youth and Young Adult Homelessness (PDF - 1,075 KB)
Columbia Legal Services, Children and Youth Project (2014)
Identifies programs and policies that use best practices and have the potential to help high-risk youth and prevent youth homelessness. The report includes a section on promising practices for foster youth.
Supporting Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care, Issue Brief 1: Education Programs (PDF - 384 KB)
Dworsky, Smithgall, & Courtney (2014)
Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation
Examines the effectiveness of services provided by the Chaffee Independent Living Program with a specific focus on the educational outcomes of youth served through these programs.
Supporting Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care, Issue Brief 2: Financial Literacy and Asset Building Programs (PDF - 360 KB)
Edelstein and Lowenstein (2014)
Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation
Explores the Chaffee-funded independent living services provided to older foster youth in the areas of financial literacy and stability as they age out of foster care.
Supporting Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care, Issue Brief 3: Employment Programs (PDF - 391 KB)
Edelstein and Lowenstein (2014)
Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation
Highlights employment outcomes for youth transitioning out of foster care and examines youth employment programs that aim to increase job prospects for specific populations.
Youth Conferencing: Implementation Experiences and Future Directions (PDF - 689 KB)
Howard (2013)
Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect
Provides information about youth conferencing and how it can help youth aging out of foster care forge or renew effective and enduring connections with caring adults; the youth conferencing process; family involvement in a youth led process; and phases of the conferencing process. Youth conferencing models are presented and challenges and opportunities inherent in youth conferencing are also explored.
Youth Transitioning into Adulthood Programs
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
Provides information on programs to increase the skills, knowledge, and supports of youth who age out of the foster care system and need to live on their own. The programs help with independent living and self-sufficiency in the areas of employment, finances, meals, and housing.
State and local examples
Best Practices: Reaching Youth Aging Out of Foster Care (PDF - 119 KB)
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (2013)
Describes a program in Minnesota that provides career and life skills training to youth aging out of the foster care system and highlights best practices for successfully reaching youth.
Building a Foundation: Successful Transitions for Youth Using Evidence-Based Practices (PDF - 128 KB)
Sonoma County Human Services Department (2016)
Examines successful transitions for foster youth in San Mateo County, California using the evidence-based practices of mentoring and case management in the areas of education and employment services.
Improving Outcomes for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care (PDF - 2,785 KB)
Hawaii Kids Count (2012)
Provides an overview of the foster care system in Hawaii and examines youth aging out of care, Federal policies that support transitioning foster youth, and recommendations and strategies to improve outcomes for youth. The recommendations touch on educational success, employment opportunities, access to housing, health services, supportive relationships, and more.
Moving Into Adulthood: Implementation Findings From the Youth Villages Transitional Living Evaluation (PDF - 3,604 KB)
Manno, Jacobs, Alson, & Skemer (2014)
MDRC
Reviews the Youth Villages Transitional Living program for foster youth in Tennessee, which is also being implemented in six other states. The report examines the program model and discusses key findings, challenges, and implications for expanding the program.
Transition Age Youth Housing and Service Roadmap: A Best Practices Framework (PDF - 1,638 KB)
Child Welfare Initiative (2013)
Assesses housing and support services available to youth transitioning out of foster care in Los Angeles County, California and identifies best practices for programs that aim to ensure a successful future for area teens. The best practices framework outlined details four steps that providers and agencies should follow to improve outcomes for youth.