New Year Goal-Setting for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care

Are you a young adult aging out of foster care and feeling anxious about what’s next? Or do you have foster youth in your home and want to help them prepare for life as independent adults? At RISE Services, Inc. Idaho, we understand the challenges and uncertainties teenagers face as they transition out of foster care. That’s why we offer independent living skills workshops designed to equip foster youth with the tools and confidence they need to create a bright future and thrive in adulthood.

How Independent Living Skills Workshops Empower Foster Youth

Before we begin with our workshops, one of our independent living skills staff members evaluates each foster teenager’s readiness for independence. We assist them in creating goals and objectives based on what freedom and independence look like to them. While each young adult’s ambitions are unique, our independent living skills staff teaches many of the same independent living skills, such as finding housing or preparing meals.

What Type of Independent Living Skills Do You Teach?

Several essential skills can equip teenagers who have aged out of foster care as they begin their journey to adulthood. The list below is not comprehensive but includes a variety of the different types of skills we teach, including:

• Affordable Housing: Understanding available housing resources and support, completing rental applications, understanding utilities and other housing-related expenses, and advocating for safe and reasonable housing for themselves.
• Personal Financial Management: Allocating income to expenses by creating a budget, opening a checking and savings account, applying for a debit card, and saving money for emergencies or large expenses.
• Employment Skills: Equipping teens with the tools needed for long-term employment, such as creating resumes, practicing interview techniques, developing soft skills, improving time management, building a strong work ethic, and more.
• Household Management: Shopping for groceries, cooking light meals, and cleaning and maintaining their homes.

Are There Any Ongoing Supports?

Yes, we know that young adults aging out of foster care need continual support as they transition to adulthood. As they explore their newly found freedom, we make ourselves available to help them find resources and support that complement independent living. Our highest priority is to empower teenagers and young adults to make wise decisions that help them live safely on their own, grow as individuals, and experience lives full of opportunities.

Building Skills to Last a Lifetime

The independent living skills specialists at RISE Idaho are glad to work alongside youth aging out of foster care as they take that next step to adulthood freedom and independence. In addition to independent living skills services, we also offer supported living services, adult day health programs, treatment foster care services, and more. Contact RISE today, and we’ll be happy to tell you more about our services.