Topic: Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood Programs
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.
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.
