Transitioning into adulthood can be a strenuous time, but as you move from out-of-home care into self-sufficiency, having the right resources can make the transition much smoother. Use these resources to learn about life skills, education, employment, finances, and other information to help you as you transition out of foster care and on to independence.

Planning for Self-sufficiency

21 Things: It's T Time
FosterClub
Outlines 21 steps you can take as you 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 health-care coverage, and more.

Transition and Aging Out
Youth.gov
Lists resources such as articles, tools, videos, and podcasts to help you prepare for adulthood.

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Education

College Checklist for Foster Youth
Offers a checklist you can use when considering a college education.

Foster Care to Success
Provides information on opportunities for you to pursue college and postsecondary education, including scholarships.

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Employment

Get My Future
Career One Stop
Presents career opportunities, trainings, information on resume writing, and more job-related resources.

iFoster Jobs
iFoster (2022)
Offers services to help assess your job readiness and match your skills to potential employers. The program also offers training, housing, and more.

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Finances

8 Financial Tips for Young Adults
Fontinelle (2022)
Investopedia
Lists essential financial rules to keep in mind as you learn to manage, budget, and save money.

Financial Help and Resources for Foster Youth “Aging Out”
Morris (2021)
In Charge Debt Solutions
Offers information for you to use as you transition out of foster care, including toolkits and information on finances and creating a budget.

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Housing

Find Rental Assistance Programs in Your Area
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Provides information to help with housing costs and offers a search for rental assistance programs.

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Ask your caseworker to walk you through

Casey Life Skills Toolkit
Casey Family Programs (2022)
Offers tools to assess the independent-living skills you need to achieve your long-term goals. The toolkit can help empower you on your journey toward independence.

John H. Chafee Foster Care for Successful Transition to Adulthood
Benefits.gov
Gives funding to assist you with services and financial aid to promote a successful transition to adulthood.

HUD’s Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Provides housing assistance to youth aging out of the foster care system who are at extreme risk of homelessness. The program offers housing vouchers to public housing authorities to prevent or end homelessness for young adults under age 25 who have aged out of the foster care system.

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