Youth transitioning from the foster care system to living on their own often face unique circumstances and challenges. Planning for the future by having a vision and exploring a variety of supports can help to create successful transitions that lead to good lives.
Any person transitioning from childhood to young adulthood experiences change, excitement, growth, and sometimes fear and confusion.
There are many things to think about and do to prepare for this change. For youth who are transitioning from the foster care system to living on their own, it can be a particularly stressful time as one considers where to live, work and play.
The information and tools provided here are designed to equip youth transitioning from foster care with the knowledge and skills to plan for the present and the future; identify, navigate and access supports; build confidence and move forward on the path to living self-sufficient, connected and successful adult lives in the community.
The LifeCourse Nexus Training and TA Center entered into a development partnership with Elevance Health to develop and disseminate best practices for foster care. This partnership resulted in a Transition from Foster Care portfolio, including tools and tip sheets to support youth who are transitioning from foster care and those who support them to plan for a successful transition within the context of a broader vision for a good life. To learn more Elevance Health, click here.
The tools in this section are designed to help you start to plan and implement a successful transition from foster care to living on your own.
Identify the variety of supports available to you, and explore how to use them, in combination, to help achieve your good life vision. Some supports are centered around safety, personal strengths and assets, technology and relationships. Others are based on eligibility criteria or are supports that anyone in the community can access.
Envision your “good life” as you transition to adulthood, and identify steps and experiences needed to get there. The trajectory provides space for considering current goals, as well as things to avoid moving forward.
Exploring a vision in each of the life domains helps plot a trajectory for a full, quality adult life. This tool is to help you start to think about a more specific vision for your adult life, and narrow down what to focus on as you plan for your transition from foster care.
Transition from Foster Care Portfolio
The Transition from Foster Care Portfolio can help youth transitioning from the foster care system plan for a future and explore supports that may be available to them. Designed as a tabloid-sized (17 inches wide by 11 inches high) booklet, it includes the: