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Spotlight on: Smoothing Transitions
First Place for Youth
The Challenge
Nearly 4,000 youth age out of foster care each year in California and are left to fend for themselves. Even with recent reforms and improvements, many lack the education, money and support needed to survive on their own, let alone thrive or reach their potential. Given that almost all support ends for foster youth on their 18th birthday, it is not surprising that they are more likely to become homeless, incarcerated, victims of violence and unemployed than the general population of youth.
I feel like I’m learning so much and it’s great to know that people are there for you when you need them. The youth advocates are more than that, they’re like people you consider friends.
First Place for Youth Participant
What They Do
First Place reaches out and works with youth from group homes for two years before they age out of the foster care system, to assist them in finishing high school, in obtaining mental health services, and connecting them to employment opportunities in order to best prepare them for the transition.
First Place’s transitional support center provides educational and employment support, housing referrals and community resources for current and former foster youth.
Most importantly, the supported housing program provides stability for former foster youth through safe, permanent, affordable housing, intensive case management, and advocacy and support services. This program currently serves 165 youth in four Bay Area counties and is expanding its exemplary programs to Los Angeles.
Results to Date
- 92% of youth maintain their housing after exiting the program.
- 77% of youth exit the program with a high school diploma or GED.
- 87% of youth enroll in post secondary education.
- 72% of youth maintain a job or increase their wages while in the program.
- 93% of young mothers delay having an additional child while in the program.