Resources provide information on programs and strategies to help transitioning youth develop the life skills they will need as they become self-sufficient adults. Resources include State and local examples.
Casey Life Skills
Casey Family Programs
Offers tools to help young people prepare for adulthood, including a life skills assessment in three languages, a guidebook to develop a learning plan, training, and other supplemental resources.
Connected by 25: Financing Asset-Building and Financial Education Programs for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care
Gray (2007)
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Describes five financing strategies to support asset-building and financial education programs for youth in foster care, including information on funding sources, examples of how programs have used these resources, and considerations for implementation.
Life in the Hood: Adulthood 101: A Guide to Living, Studying, and Working On Your Own
Raheem (2006)
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Provides information to youth in foster who are transitioning into adulthood about the basics of living as an adult, pursuing educational opportunities, and employment.
Preparing Youth for Successful Adulthood
Child Welfare League of America (2007)
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Presents a training for caregivers on helping youth transition to adulthood by focusing on the development of life skills such as getting a job, going to school, and learning how to cook. This module is part of the PRIDE Advanced and Specialized Training for caregivers.
State and local examples
Alaskan Foster Youth and Independent Living Skills: An Examination of the Skills Necessary for Alaskan Youth Transitioning From Office of Children's Services Custody to Independent Living (PDF - 489 KB)
Pope, Williams, Sirles, & Lally (2005)
Presents results from focus groups with Alaskan youth regarding the development of independent living skills, a compilation of Ansell-Casey Living Skills Assessment scores for Alaskan youth, and recommendations for improving transitional services in the State.
Evaluation of the Life Skills Training Program, Los Angeles County, California: Final Report (PDF - 1,177 KB)
Courtney, Zinn, Zielewski, Bess, Malm, Stagner, et al. (2008)
Examines the effectiveness of a 5-week program that offered training to youth in education, employment, daily living skills, survival skills, choices and consequences, interpersonal/social skills, and computer/Internet skills.