STAY in the Community

Youth in foster care and youth who left foster care at age 18 can be at greater risk of homelessness than other youth. The STAY in the Community aims to help these youth, ages 14 up to age 23, transition from foster care to adulthood.

Program info
Eligibility
Benefits
Learn more

Program info

The STAY in the Community program through community agencies complements the county/tribal STAY program. It provides individual independent living skills for former foster youth from age 18 up to 23 who are no longer working with a county or tribal worker. These services help youth prepare for a successful transition to adulthood. It also provides group independent living skills classes for current or former foster youth ages 14 up to 23.

Benefits

Services will help youth meet their independent living plan goals. Services available can vary depending on where the youth lives. Youth may be able to get help with:
- Independent living skills training – Training topics and assistance may include academic support, career exploration, employment supports, budgeting and financial management, housing and home management, health and health insurance, risk prevention, relationships, coping skills, communication and parenting skills, post-secondary education exploration, assistance with post-secondary and financial aid applications, registration for Selective Service, and collection of vital documents
- Transportation – This could include mileage reimbursement, bicycles, gas cards, bus cards, car insurance or car repairs so they can accomplish goals of their independent living plan, driver’s education and permit/license fees, and teaching use of public transportation in a community.
- Education – This could include tutors, GED fees, ACT/SAT or other test fees, internet fees, exploring post-secondary education and financial aid options, post-secondary school applications and payment of fees; post-secondary school financial aid applications, obtaining school and medical records, income tax forms, health insurance, Social Security card, and other vital documents necessary to apply for post-secondary school and financial aid for which they may be eligible.
- Employment – This could include job shadowing or an internship, career exploration, resume development, job seeking skills, phone cards/fees, mock job interviews, finding and keeping a part-time job, fees to obtain a state-issued identification card, cost of work uniforms or attire for job interviews, wage or subsidized wage for an internship experience, and cost of employment training programs.
- Permanent connections – This could include creating Life Books documenting their journey and experiences in and outside of the foster care system, youth transition plans using the Family Group Decision Making model, connecting youth with long-term mentors, connecting youth with significant persons from their past, relative searches and contact with relatives or previous foster parents.
- Age-appropriate activities – Support emotional and developmental growth by permitting youth to participate in extracurricular, social, or cultural activities, or events generally accepted as suitable for others of the same chronological age, or as developmentally appropriate. This could include sports, arts, prom, graduation parties, etc.
- Room and board/housing assistance – This category can only be used for youth over age 18 in extended foster care, or who left care after age 18. This could include damage deposits, short-term rent subsidies, assistance with utilities, household goods, groceries, start-up purchases, and furnishings.
Learn more

Community agencies offer these services. Contact them directly.

Minimum age	14
Maximum age	23rd birthday
Eligibility for youth in foster care	Youth ages 14–20 on a county or tribal social services caseload and in out-of-home placement for at least 30 consecutive days after age 14. These youth can participate in independent living skills groups and/or Youth Leadership Council only.
Eligibility for youth who age out of foster care at the age 18 or older	Youth aging out of foster care at ages 18, 19, or 20 may be served up until their 23rd birthday. These youth can participate in independent living skills groups, transition services, and/or Youth Leadership Council at age 17-1/2. They can also receive individual case management services at age 18+ after their county or tribal social services case is closed.
Eligibility for youth who exited foster care to adoption or transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative	Youth who exited foster care to either adoption or transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative (TPLPC) after age 16+ may be served until their 23rd birthday. These youth can participate in independent living skills groups and/or Youth Leadership Council starting at age 16. They can also receive individual case management services at age 18+ after their county or tribal social services case is closed.
Eligibility for youth who exited foster care for reunification	Youth who exited foster care for reunification may be served if they are on a county or tribal social services caseload and experienced out out-of-home placement for at least 30 consecutive days after age 14. These youth may be served until their 23rd birthday. These youth can participate in independent living skills groups and/or Youth Leadership Council at age 14. They can also receive individual case management services at age 18+ after their county or tribal social services case is closed.