Transitional living programs aim to prevent youth aging out of the foster care system from becoming homeless by providing housing and support services. Such programs are needed due to rising numbers of older youth in foster care without permanent placements and cuts to other social services. The presenter outlines different housing models for transitional living programs and what research shows works best, including youth involvement, connections to other agencies, flexibility, and focus on realistic outcomes rather than zero tolerance.

1. ~Transitional Living Programs~ What Works?

2. Presented by:Mark J Kroner LISWDirector, Lighthouse Training InstituteLighthouse Youth Services Inc.401 East McMillan St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45206513-487-7130mkroner@lys.org

3. Lighthouse Youth Services (1969)Foster Care

4. Group Homes

5. Youth Crisis Shelter

6. Youth Outreach Services

7. Independent Living

8. Transitional Living

9. In-home/Wraparound services

10. Correctional Services

11. Help Me Grow for high-risk infants and toddlers

12. Charter schoolPreventing youth,16-19, in the child welfare system from becoming homeless (started in 1981) =Independent LivingPreventing young “non-systems” adults 18-24 from remaining homeless (started in 1990) =Transitional Living

13. Why the Need for Housing & Support Services?The number of youth aging out of foster care is going up. Older youth are making up a larger percentage of child welfare rolls than in the past. Many will soon be on their own.Many youth enter the system for first time at a later age (15-17.5). There is not always enough time (or assigned staff) to find foster or adoptive homes. The pressure is on communities to get youth out of the system asap, ready or not.Communities are finding it harder to find adoptive/foster parents for older youth. When they do, these situations don’t always work out. Youth who return home often return for help.

14. Why the need for Housing? cont’dOlder youth are being pushed out of various systems, ready or not, due to budget problems: Mental health, Developmental Disabilities, Juvenile Justice, Chemical dependency, Families.

15. Some older youth do not want to be adopted or stay in a foster or other home. They already have families but can’t live with them--often due to their parent’s chronic problems.

16. Many well-adjusted youth just want to live independently.Why the need for housing? -cont’dA significant number of youth have chronic mental health, attachment and criminality issues and have difficulty living with others.Some youth have already been adopted and it didn’t work out when they became teens.“Forever families” aren’t always forever. However, separate housing can often help sustain permanent connections with caring adults.

17. Why the need for housing? -cont’dYouth who have housing options often realize that they can still have relationships with family but don’t have to get caught up in the family’s dysfunction.

18. Some youth who get experience living independently soon realize that they can’t do it on their own and know that will have to change their behaviors in order to get people to take them in.