Credit hours:
2.50

Course Summary

For youth who have been living in foster care, the transition to adulthood presents many new and often daunting experiences. This course provides foster parents with guidance on how to help youth and emerging adults build a foundation for a successful transition to adult life outside of foster care.

In this course, you can expect to learn:

  • Unique challenges youth face when exiting foster care

  • Adolescent development and changes in the brain as related to supporting youth in care

  • Laws and programs to support transition aged youth

  • The critical role of foster parents in transition planning and action

  • Tools to empower foster youth to prepare for the transition to adulthood

Step 1

Read this FosterClub Real Story written by Shawn Denise Semelsberger on aging out of foster care unprepared for the drastic transition. 

Step 2

FosterClub recommends foster youth do 21 things before they transition out of care to make sure they have a successful journey to independence. Read FosterClub's "It's T Time" to become familiar with steps foster youth should take before they leave foster care.

Step 3

Read this FosterClub Real Story written by Ricky Ballesteros, who provides valuable youth perspective about why transition planning is important.

Step 4

Review "Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood: Guidance for Foster Parents" developed by the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

Step 5

Join the discussion in the comments below to answer the following question:

When do you think a young person should begin their transition plan, and what are some important considerations as a supportive adult in their life?

Step 6

Finished the module? If you are logged in as a subscribed user, take the quiz to earn your Continuing Education Credit hours and certificate!

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Course Discussion

GooberDad's picture
5 years 2 months ago

GooberDad said:

ASAP. We have a pregnant 16 year old and I cannot wait to get started on this process TODAY! She has such a hard road ahead of her and needs all of the help and resources she can get.
Bmar918's picture
5 years 3 months ago

Bmar918 said:

I believe discussions on a transition plan should begin soon after a child begins to talk about “ageing our” or “leaving the system”. With most teenagers, wisdom or advice is better received when it is requested or pursued by the child. By waiting for the child to first mention their desire to “move on”, “to age out” or “to leave” gives the the authority-figure a welcomed and successful opportunity to speak and be heard.
tadisney's picture
5 years 3 months ago

tadisney said:

Six months before they turn 18.
Jeanne's picture
5 years 4 months ago

Jeanne said:

I believe every day counts, from the time they enter foster care to the day they leave us we should be sowing them life skills and setting a moral and social example as much as possible.
ozbean's picture
5 years 2 months ago

ozbean replied:

couldn't agree more. Every day has opportunities to teach kids- even if they are rolling eyes because they "know this already". Making good choices needs to be instilled, both in birth kids as well as foster kids.
Jeanne's picture
5 years 4 months ago

Jeanne said:

I believe every day counts, from the time they enter foster care to the day they leave us we should be showing them life skills, goals and setting a moral and social example as much as possible.
katdr77's picture
5 years 6 months ago

katdr77 said:

I think they should begin around age 16 if they already know their plan is to age out. If they come into care or decide on that plan later than that, then at least 6 months is a nice amount of time because of planning, job training, relationship building, and other preparations.
crenita's picture
5 years 6 months ago

crenita said:

I believe they should begin their transition plan once they enter high school but, I believe it depends on the youth. Some are mature enough to begin the transition to adulthood through independent living at an earlier age than others. If it is too much pressure for the youth to handle I feel trying to take another approach to build their skills for adult hood which is also a part of transitioning but does not seem like it such as helping them with a resume to find a part time job and teaching them to cook. Breaking down the transition plans into smaller segments so it is not so overwhelming.
CarolineShafer's picture
5 years 7 months ago

CarolineShafer said:

I think that once a child is about the age of 15-16 they should begin their transition plan.
Wilma Byrd's picture
5 years 7 months ago

Wilma Byrd said:

I would agree when the child is 14 or maybe 15 start preparing them for the real world and not to burn bridges that you may need to cross again.