Use these resources to help transitioning youth receive appropriate job training, learn job application and interviewing skills, and maintain a rewarding career. Resources include State and local examples.
Good-Better-Best: A Youth Welfare Approach to Employment
Capacity Building Center for States (2018)
Outlines strategies to help improve employment outcomes for youth formerly in foster care and provides a ranking system for different approaches from good to better to best.
How Employment Programs Can Support Young People Transitioning Out of Foster Care: Formative Evaluation Findings of Two Employment Programs
Lansing, Daly, & Pergamit (2021)
Urban Institute
Examines two employment programs that serve young people transitioning out of foster care and looks at how these programs operate, including successes and challenges.
iFoster Jobs
iFoster (2022)
Offers services for youth in foster care to assess job readiness and match their skills to potential employers. The program also prepares youth for the workforce by offering training, housing, transportation, or a cell phone.
Integrating Executive-Skills Building Into Workforce Programs
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2020)
Reviews the importance of offering executive skills building as part of workforce programs that help strengthen young people's abilities to set goals, develop plans, and follow through.
Supporting Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care – Issue Brief 3: Employment Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (2019)
Discusses the importance of employment services for youth currently or formerly in foster care, as well as the types of programs and services offered in this area.
What Available Supports and Resources Are in Place for Youth Transitioning From Foster Care?
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2021)
Outlines services and resources to assist youth in foster care as they work toward self-sufficiency. The article provides information on education and training vouchers, employment and training programs, housing assistance, and health care.
Working With Youth to Develop a Transition Plan
State and local examples
Helping Youth Transition From Out-of-Home Care to Adulthood: Best Practice Guide (PDF - 1,546 KB)
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Child Safety and Permanency Division (2021)
Provides caseworkers with information and resources to assist youth in foster care with obtaining the necessary documents as dictated by Minnesota State law, including a high school diploma, health-care coverage, and a means of transportation.
Improving Equitable Employment Outcomes for Transition-Age Foster Youth in L.A. County: Streamlining Access to Career Development Services (PDF - 3,451 KB)
L.A. Opportunity Youth Collaborative (2021)
Describes an initiative in Los Angeles County, CA, that refers youth in foster care to workforce programs and provides recommendations for improvement and feedback from participants.
Montana Chafee Foster Care Independence Program
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Child and Family Services Division
Provides services to youth in foster care in Montana to help them achieve a successful transition into adulthood. Services include educational and vocational assistance, help with living arrangements, life skills assessments, and more.
Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA)
Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York
Offers a program for youth in foster care designed to help them develop the self-sufficiency they will need to be successful adults. The program includes workshops on topics such as finance, job preparedness, resume writing, job interview preparation, taxes, and more.
Resources for Transition Age Youth With Disabilities
California Department of Social Services
Highlights programs available to youth with disabilities in California as they transition out of the foster care system. The website reviews several programs relating to general supports, employment, and postsecondary education.
Youth Employment Opportunity Program
State of California Employee Development Department
Discusses job-training programs for youth aged 15 to 25 currently and formerly in foster care in California.
Youth Skills for Life Curriculum
Project Life
Offers an online curriculum to help youth in foster care learn life skills to help them transition into adulthood. Lessons are related to career preparation, education, housing, health, nutrition, and more. The trainings are free to download.