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Topic: Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood Programs

Scientific Ratings in this topic:

1 - Well-Supported by Research Evidence

2 - Supported by Research Evidence

3 - Promising Research Evidence

4 - Evidence Fails to Demonstrate Effect

5 - Concerning Practice

NR - Not able to be Rated

Learn more about the scale

Definition for Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood Programs:

Youth Transitioning into Adulthood Programs are defined by the CEBC as programs that increase the skills, knowledge, and supports of youth who age out of the child welfare system while in out-of-home care and, therefore, have to transition out of the foster care system and live on their own. Transition programs are aimed at increasing independent living and self-sufficiency skills and/or developing formal or informal social connections that can provide guidance and support to youth beyond their time in foster care or receiving services. Independent living and self-sufficiency skills could include employment (including readiness and retention), financial management, healthy meal planning and preparation, securing and maintaining stable housing, and/or other life skills.

Every year in California, more than 4,000 youth age out of foster care. The youth who age out of foster care are more likely to experience difficulty managing the transition from dependent adolescence to independent adulthood. Foster youth face unique challenges for making a successful transition into adulthood in employment, higher education, marriage, and parenthood. A large number of these youth have special needs including mental health issues and disabilities, both learning and physical. Former foster youth face the added burden of a disrupted childhood and possible lack of family support. The transition period from adolescence to adulthood is longer and more complex for today's young adults.

NOTE: Many topic areas on the CEBC may be relevant to youth transitioning into adulthood. In particular, the Educational Interventions for Children and Adolescents in Child Welfare, Teen Pregnancy Services, and Mentoring Programs (Child & Adolescent) may be highly relevant and should be reviewed if interested in programs addressing those particular services.

  • Target population: Transition age youth who may age out of the foster care system, have already aged out of it, or have emancipated from it
  • Services/types that fit: Services including assessment, case planning, case management, counseling or mentoring on issues related to emerging adulthood, development of social connections and support systems, education, financial support, and/or skill building
  • Delivered by: Child welfare caseworkers, trained paraprofessionals, educators, and mental health professionals
  • In order to be included: Program must specifically target the needs of youth aging out of the foster care system or the needs of youth with similar characteristics (e.g., runaway and homeless youth, pregnant or parenting youth, youth with mental health needs or developmental disabilities, etc.) as they enter adulthood as a goal
  • In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that examines outcomes for youth transitioning into adulthood such as independent living/self-sufficiency skills, family/social connections, employment, higher education, housing, and parenthood

Programs in this Topic Area

The programs listed below have been reviewed by the CEBC and, if appropriate, been rated using the Scientific Rating Scale.

One Program with a Scientific Rating of 2 - Supported by Research Evidence:

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  • Better Futures
    Youth and young adults in foster care, including youth with disabilities and/or mental health conditions, who are: 1) in their ...

Three Programs with a Scientific Rating of 3 - Promising Research Evidence:

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  • LifeSet
    [YVLifeSet]
    Young adults between the ages 17 and 22 who are leaving the foster care, juvenile justice, and/or mental health systems
  • My Life
    Youth and young adults, ages 15-19, in foster care who are able to go into the community with their program ...
  • Transition to Independence Process (TIP) Model
    Youth and young adults (14-29 years old) with, or at risk of, emotional/behavioral difficulties (EBD) [e.g., severe mental ...

14 Programs with a Scientific Rating of NR - Not able to be Rated:

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  • Caring Adults 'R' Everywhere (C.A.R.E.)
    Youth ages 18-21 who are currently living in out-of-home child welfare placements (e.g., foster care, group homes, residential care)
  • Family Alternatives
    Adolescents aged 14 to 19 who are currently in foster care and who will likely transition out of care to interdependent adult ...
  • Fostering Success Coach Model
    Transitional age youth (ages 16-25) who have experienced foster care, homelessness, or who identify as independent
  • Independent Living Program-Orangewood (ILP)
    Foster youth ages 16 to 21, can be teen parents
  • Larkin Extended Aftercare for Supported Emancipation (LEASE)
    Emancipating foster care youth ages 18-24, including pregnant and parenting youth
  • Massachusetts Adolescent Outreach Program (MA Outreach) – non-responder
    [Massachusetts Adolescent Outreach Program for Youths in Intensive Foster Care]
    Youth in foster care who will be aging out of the foster care system or recently have
  • My First Place (MFP)
    [Supported Housing Program (SHP)]
    Youth/young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 who are in or emancipating from child welfare systems throughout the United ...
  • MyPath Savings – non-responder
    Youth participating in youth workforce programs
  • Opportunity Passport
    Young people transitioning from foster care; specifically, young people 14-26 years old who have spent at least one day in ...
  • Rising Tide Communities - Orangewood
    Former foster youth between 18 and 25 years
  • Seita Scholars Program
    Youth aging out of foster care; foster and former foster youth in college 18-25 years old
  • Threshold Mothers Project Transitional Living Program (TLP)
    Young adult mothers with mental health needs and their children
  • Works Wonders®
    Adolescents/young adults ages 14-26 with a history of child welfare, juvenile justice involvement, or housing instability/homelessness
  • YouthBuild – non-responder
    Low-income young people who need assistance obtaining their high school diploma or equivalency credentials and job skills

Why was this topic chosen by the Advisory Committee?


The Youth Transitioning into Adulthood Programs topic area is relevant to child welfare because older foster youth may need assistance obtaining the skills and knowledge required for a successful transition into adulthood. Since the passing of the Chaffee Foster Care Independence Act, some funds have been available to serve this population. However, outcome studies still demonstrate many youth are homeless, pregnant, and unemployed after leaving care. Child Welfare Agencies and the Courts need information on effective youth transitioning services and supports; and need to know how to help youth establish or re-establish strong and enduring ties to one or more nurturing adults.

Roseann Myers
Former CEBC Advisory Committee Member

Topic Expert

Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood Programs was one of new topic areas launched in 2006. Curtis McMillen, PhD was the topic expert and was involved in identifying and rating any of the programs with an original load date of 2006 or earlier (as found on the bottom of the program's page on the CEBC). The topic area has grown over the years and in 2016, the topic area was revised and expanded. All of the Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood Programs added since 2006 were identified by CEBC staff, the Scientific Panel, and/or the Advisory Committee. For these programs, Dr. McMillen was not involved in identifying or rating them.