North Dakota - Independent Living Program

About this resource

Most young people make the transition from adolescence to adulthood with the support of their biological families, communities, and schools. However, youth aging out of foster care may lack family and social supports. As a result, youth aging out of foster care face enormous challenges in making a smooth transition to adulthood and building successful lives.

North Dakota's commitment to foster youth does not end when they are discharged from the foster care.

The overall goal of the Chafee Program is that all former foster youth will achieve outcomes:

Have sufficient economic resources to meet their daily needs
Have a safe and stable place to live
Attain academic or vocational/education goals that are in keeping with the youth's abilities and interests
Have a sense of connectedness to persons and community
Avoid illegal/high risk behaviors
Postpone parenthood until financially established and emotionally mature
Have access to physical and mental health services

Services and supports are available through the Chafee Program for foster youth, age 16+, who have been identified as "likely to age out of foster care", and for youth who have aged out of the system and have not yet reached their 23rd birthday.

Current foster youth, age 14+, who have not been identified as likely to age out of foster care, are also required to have a plan for independent living. These youth people will have their independent living/transition-related needs assessed and addressed through the Child and Family Team and custodial case manager.