New Guide: Supporting Foster Youth Transitions to Adulthood

Posted by on October 12, 2009

Municipal Action Guide to Help Cities Support Foster Youth Transitions

Supporting Foster Youth Transitions to AdulthoodNLC and its YEF Institute have published a new Municipal Action Guide on “Supporting Foster Youth Transitions to Adulthood.”  Published with support from the Walter S. Johnson Foundation and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the guide highlights strategies for helping young people successfully transition from the foster care system and improving access to housing, education, employment, health, and other services.  The guide describes four key action steps that city officials can take in partnership with state and county agencies and local service providers:

1.      Become knowledgeable about local foster youth transitions and use this information to set goals and track progress over time.
2.      Connect transitioning foster youth to existing programs and services.
3.      Make the case for supporting foster youth transitions to adulthood.
4.      Take a cross-system approach to service planning and delivery.

The guide also highlights examples of housing, employment and education programs from Fremont, Calif., New York City, and San Francisco, as well as Philadelphia’s innovative Achieving Independence Center, a one-stop gateway to services for youth transitioning from foster care.  To learn more contact Carlos Becerra at (202) 626-3160 or [email protected], or contact Andrew Moore at (215) 848-6910 or [email protected].

Download the Municipal Action Guide >>

http://www.nlc.org/ASSETS/6548970283A04EAC8EA64FDC003202FB/IYEF_Foster_Youth_MAG_8-09.pdf