Youth and young people in foster care face many challenges as they transition into adulthood and prepare to live on their own. While all youth may struggle to achieve self-sufficiency and independence, youth in out-of-home care face additional obstacles and often benefit from extra support.
Young people transitioning from foster care should be connected to and supported in maintaining positive relationships with trusted adults who can provide stability and introduce them to programs and services to help improve their life skills, knowledge, and self-sufficiency. Connecting youth and young people to information and services can empower them to make informed decisions about their transition in collaboration with trusted adults and child welfare professionals.
Independent living programs help youth in transition reach their goals by providing services and resources to help them more effectively and smoothly transition into adulthood with a sense of normalcy and permanent, stable connections. All decisions should be youth driven, and it is also essential for young people to maintain and continue supportive relationships during and after they leave care.
Use these resources to learn about programs and services that serve youth transitioning from foster care. Adjust the filters below to refine your list of resources. Can’t find what you need in the filtered results? Try searching our Library catalog to access a large selection of peer-reviewed journal articles, evaluation reports, Children’s Bureau grant materials, research studies, and more.
Featured
Working With Youth to Develop a Transition Plan
Intended to help child welfare professionals and others who work with transitioning youth to understand the Federal legislative requirements for transition plans and partner with youth to develop a plan over time and through close youth engagement th ...Read More
Extension of Foster Care Beyond Age 18
Presents State laws and policies regarding services and assistance that support youth in making the transition to successful adulthood and that provide youth the ability to voluntarily extend their placement in out-of-home care.
Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood: Guidance for Foster Parents
Provides foster parents with guidance on how to help youth and emerging adults build a foundation for a successful transition to adult life outside of foster care.
Education and Skills Training May Ease Transition to Adulthood for Young People Involved in Foster Care
Read about research that shows when young people receive educational aid, employment skills training, and other necessary services, they are more likely to be connected to employment and/or school, easing the transition out of foster care.
John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
Review North Dakota's Division 20 regulations for Chafee Independenct Living. This Child Welfare Manual provides guidance for administrators and social workers on independent living programs and resources that need to be available, as direted by stat ...Read More
Transition & Aging Out
Explore resources for youth aged 16-24 who are transitioning out of the foster care system on education and job opportunities, managing money, securing housing, and more.