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.
A Message about Your 90-Day Transition Plan for Success; Plan for Successful Transition; and Independent Living Services and Transition Plan for Young Adults (PDF - 143 KB)
Virginia Department of Social Services, UMFS, Project LIFE (2012)
Provides information about transition plans for Virginia children planning on transitioning out of foster care. Includes a list of rights and responsibilities of the youth and plans for successful transitions from foster care to independence.
Aging Out of Foster Care: Important Information for Teens (PDF - 795 KB)
Washington DC Children’s Law Center (2012)
Explains the key steps that foster care youth in the District of Columbia should take to prepare for transitioning from foster care to adulthood. Includes tips and a checklist on goal setting, attaining an identification card, saving money, creating education plans, and finding housing.
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.
Foster Youth in Transition
Michigan Department of Human Services (2013)
Includes information on issues relevant to current and former youth, as well as links to finding services and support. The website is updated by members of Michigan’s Youth Boards from across the state.
Earning My Success: Working with the Career Visions Project (PDF - 677 KB)
Portland State University. Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures & Focal Point (2013)
Provides an account from the perspective of a young adult who explains how the Career Visions Project, which focuses on career planning for young adults with serious mental health issues, helped her overcome barriers while she was in foster care.
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).
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: Extended Foster Care Toolkit
California Alliance for Children's Rights (2013)
Contains information in the form of a toolkit for California adolescents in foster care about extended foster care that allows adolescents to stay in foster care after they turn 18.
My Future My Choice
Florida Department of Children and Families (2013)
Provides information on the new "My Future, My Choice" program that allows Florida youth to stay in foster care until they are 21 as long as they meet requirements such as being in school or working. Fact sheets are included that explain the program to youth, foster parents, community-based care organizations, and courts.
Need to Know Series: Managing Your Money! Make It Save It Protect It (PDF- 1,628 KB)
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (2013)
Emphasizes the importance of money management for youth in New York state. Gives advice regarding building good credit, working with banks, budgeting, saving money, and paying bills on time.
Talking With Caring Adults: A Conversation Guide for Foster Youth [Video]
California Department of Social Services & After 18: Your Future Your Choice (2012)
Includes a set of guiding questions organized by topic to help youth get started in talking to caring adults about the benefits of the California Fostering Connections to Success Act.
Telling Your Money What to Do: The Young Adult's Guides (PDF- 507 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: When You Start Living on Your Own from Foster Care, There Are Some Things in Life That People Seem to Forget to Tell You About (PDF- 853 KB)
U.S. Department of Education National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, Portland State University, & Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Better Futures Project (2012)
Includes interviews with young adults who had navigated or are in the process of navigating the transition out of foster care. Details important areas of life such as finances, employment, health care, transportation, and relationships.