Aging out of foster care is a critical transition for young adults in Florida. Without the consistent support of a family, navigating adulthood can be significantly more challenging. Fortunately, Florida offers a range of programs specifically designed to assist young people as they transition out of foster care and into independent living. These programs provide vital resources and support in areas such as housing, education, employment, health, and legal advocacy, aiming to empower young adults to achieve self-sufficiency and build successful futures. This guide highlights key programs available in Florida to support youth aging out of foster care.
For personalized support and guidance, the Office of Continuing Care, a part of Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity, offers free, one-on-one assistance. Recognizing the difficulties young people face when transitioning out of care, this office provides tailored support to make the leap into adulthood a positive experience. Similarly, My Youth Portal acts as a comprehensive online resource center. Understanding that navigating available resources can be overwhelming, the Youth Portal serves as a one-stop location where young adults can explore resources independently or connect with supportive adults and peers for guidance. For broader information and support across all areas of independent living, Florida’s Independent Living Resource Center, operated by Daniel Kids, functions as a central clearinghouse. This resource helps connect young people with the services and information they need to navigate their journey to independence.
Ensuring access to healthcare is crucial, and Covering Florida provides unbiased outreach and enrollment services for health coverage in the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Their navigators offer free assistance with enrollment through in-person, telephone, and virtual services, ensuring young adults can access necessary health insurance. Furthermore, the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, oversees federal programs aimed at promoting the well-being of families and youth. Their programs focus on empowering individuals to increase their economic independence and overall productivity, offering a broad spectrum of support services.
In the realm of education and career development, the Positive Pathways Program, administered by Educate Tomorrow, establishes a network of campus-based support professionals known as foster care liaisons. This program assists students eligible for tuition and fee exemptions and provides a network of support for those pursuing higher education. For those entering the workforce, the Employ Florida Marketplace serves as Florida’s official online portal for job matching and workforce resources. This platform allows young adults to create resumes, search job openings across Florida, and access career development tools, bridging the gap between foster care and employment. Additionally, the Strengthening Youth Partnership Website, accessible through MyFloridaYouth.com, offers resources designed to help young people aged 10 to 24 explore their strengths, career interests, and opportunities for training and education, guiding them towards building a fulfilling future.
Advocacy and ensuring that young voices are heard are also critical components of support. Florida Children First works to advocate for children in care and at-risk situations, ensuring their voices are considered in decisions affecting their lives. They utilize legislative advocacy, training, and public awareness to improve child-serving systems. Nationally, Foster Club acts as a network for young people in foster care, providing connection, education, inspiration, and representation. Their online platform offers articles, message boards, and resources tailored to children, teens, and adults with foster care experience. Youth Communication focuses on developing teenagers’ reading and writing skills, empowering them to make informed choices about their lives through journalism and skill-building programs. To understand the legal aspects of foster care, Make Your Voice Heard: A Guide to Dependency Court provides a video resource explaining dependency court processes to youth aged 12 to 18.
Finally, Community-Based Care (CBC) Lead Agencies are central to Florida’s Child Welfare System, outsourcing foster care and independent living services at the community level. This localized approach ensures community ownership of programs and services designed to support older foster youth and young adults within Florida’s System of Care, offering a network of local support and resources.
These diverse programs and resources demonstrate Florida’s commitment to supporting young adults aging out of foster care. By utilizing these services, young people can gain the necessary tools and support to navigate their transition to independence successfully and build a brighter future.
