CHILD WELFARE MANUAL

21.3.1 Program Goals

To identify youth who are likely to remain in foster care until age 18 and to help these youth make the transition to self-sufficiency by providing services. These services may include, but are not limited to: assistance in obtaining a high school diploma, career exploration, vocational training, job placement and retention, training in daily living skills, training in budgeting and financial management skills, substance abuse prevention, and preventive health activities (including smoking avoidance, nutrition education, and pregnancy prevention).

To assist youth who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age receive the education, training, and services necessary to obtain employment;.

To assist youth who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age prepare for and enter post-secondary training and education institutions;

To provide independent living services to youth who after age 16 or older, leave foster care for adoption or guardianship.

To provide personal and emotional support to youth aging out of foster care, through mentors and the promotion of interactions with dedicated adults;

Assist youth who are likely to remain in foster care until age 18 years of age with regular, on-going opportunities to engage in “age or developmentally-appropriate activities

To provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education, and other appropriate support and services to former foster youth, who left care on or after age 17.5 and have not yet reached age 21 to complement their own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and to assure program participants recognize and accept their personal responsibility in preparing for and making the successful transition from adolescence to adulthood; and

To make available vouchers for education and training, including post-secondary learning and education, to youth who have aged out of foster care.

Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 1/31/07)

Memoranda History: