The following resources are written for youth who are aging out of out-of-home care, providing practical information on topics that may be important as they transition to adulthood.
21 Things: It's T Time
FosterClub
Outlines 21 steps for youth in foster care to take as they prepare to transition out of care. The list includes items such as building a transition plan, securing a place to live, opening a bank account, getting healthcare coverage, and more.
Foster Care to Success
Provides opportunities for foster youth to pursue college and postsecondary education; encourages citizens, businesses, and civic organizations to support older youth in foster care; and raises public awareness of the needs of older teens aging out of the foster care system.
Financial Empowerment Toolkit
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services (2014)
Includes links to practical tools for youth under the age of 18 and young adults preparing to transition out of foster care. Resources include Know Your Credit History: How to Interpret a Credit Report (PDF - 699 KB), Creating a Credit Profile: How To Build Your Credit (PDF - 652 KB) , and Protect Yourself and Your Stuff: What You Need to Know About Insurance (PDF - 766 KB).
I’m Getting Ready for my Next Move—Into Adulthood! (PDF - 1,741 KB)
American Academy of Pediatrics (2015)
Intended for older adolescents in foster care, this brochure provides information on aging out of the foster care system into adulthood. It reviews the development of a transition plan and key components, as well as the team that will help the youth prepare for transition.
Joining the Military: A Guide to Assist Foster Care Youth and their Caregivers in Navigating the Military Enlistment Process
National Resource Center for Youth Services (2014)
Provides information and resources about joining the military and highlights specific information about the implications of the process, requirements, and implications that decision may have for youth who have experience with foster care.
Know Before You Go
Provides information and resources on a variety of topics for young adults transitioning from foster care to independence.
Telling Your Money What to Do: The Young Adult's Guides (PDF- 503 KB)
Community of Practice, Northeast Massachusetts (2013)
Helps youth assess their spending and provides tips for budgeting, cutting down on spending, and managing money resources. The website also provides tools and worksheets for tracking income and expenses.
Things People Never Told Me (PDF - 854 KB)
Better Futures Project, Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures (2012)
Explains what youth aging out of foster care should know in the areas of finance, employment, healthcare, transportation, and relationships as they become independent adults.
Transition and Aging Out
Youth.gov
Lists resources for youth aging out of foster care, including links to articles, programs, publications, tools, videos, podcasts, and websites among others to help youth prepare for adulthood.