Independent-Living

Adolescents ages 16-21 who are or in substitute care or who have emanciapted from care need consistent assistance from adults they trust in order to acquire the many life skills that they will need to function "interdependently" in the community as they are leaving care. They also need to have well established community supports in place once they emancipate; a "safety net."

This "safety net" is routinely available to kids not in the foster care system through consistent, nurturing parents and family. While the ages of 18 and 21 have a magical meaning in our society, the reality is that life is difficult to navigate even with someone helping you to learn to read a map, gain skills and grow through mistakes and successes. Foster parents/kinship caregivers do an exceptional job of working with our youth to gain these skills, as do caseworkers and our Independent Living Coordinator. However, our kids need the entire community to help.

Unfortunately, a number of older youth are leaving care with little or no community supports in place despite our best efforts We have found that offering youth the option to remain in voluntary extended care as they "age out" of custody at age 18 has greatly increased the opportunity for an older youth in care to make a successful transition into their adult life. We strongly encourage our youth to accept this option as they approach the age of 18. However, despite encouragement to take advantage of remaining in voluntary extended care, some youth choose to return to live with a family member, friends, and sometimes end up without safe shelter. If a youth refuses continued service support after age 18, it is usually because they have consistently refused most services prior to age 18. We also know it is a normal part of turing 18 for all youth. The desire to set their own rules and try life on their own.

The specific needs of our older youth in care and their readiness to learn Youth Transition and life skills varies considerably. The youth's experience, before and during foster care, continues to affect their willingness and ability to recognize the need for, and to participate in services.

In today's world, becoming independent can be a scary process. It can even be difficult trying to figure out where to get started.

If you are age 16 to 21 and have been or are currently in foster care, the Independent Living Program can help you make plans for your future. The program provides services to assist teens and young adults with the transition from foster care to independent living.