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Transition Planning: Independent Living Resources for Kinship Youth

As a young person approaches adulthood, there’s a lot to prepare for, including school, work, money, housing, health care, and independent living. For youth who have experienced the child welfare system, transition planning can help answer questions about financial support, college, housing, employment, and everyday life skills. In Pennsylvania, Independent Living services can help eligible youth build the skills, resources, and connections they need as they move toward adulthood.

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What Is Transition Planning?

Transition planning is the process of preparing a young person for life after foster care and other out-of-home placements.

Rather than waiting until a young person is about to leave care, planning can begin earlier and grow with them. A transition plan may include goals related to:

  • Education and college
  • Employment and career planning
  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Money management and budgeting
  • Health care
  • Life skills
  • Building supportive relationships
  • Identifying community resources
  • Understanding available benefits and financial assistance

For youth and families connected to ASCI, ASCI’s programs and services can provide additional support throughout the kinship journey. ASCI’s work includes educational advocacy, youth programming, caregiver support, and other services designed to help children and families navigate changing needs.

In Pennsylvania, Independent Living services are available through county children and youth agencies for eligible youth who are or have been in out-of-home placement. Services are designed around the individual needs and goals of each young person.

Aging Out of Foster Care Benefits: What May Be Available?

The phrase aging out of foster care benefits can refer to several different types of support. Eligibility depends on a young person’s circumstances, age, placement history, education, and other program requirements.

Pennsylvania’s Independent Living Program can provide support in areas such as education, employment, life skills, housing, and other transition needs. Aftercare services are available to eligible youth who exited foster care on or after age 14 and before age 23.

For young people who have left foster care, aftercare support may include:

  • Life skills training
  • Education and post-secondary support
  • Employment assistance
  • Help locating housing
  • Room and board assistance
  • Support services
  • Needs assessments and case planning
  • Other individualized transition supports

It is important to ask about eligibility rather than assuming that leaving foster care means all services automatically end.

Pennsylvania Independent Living Stipend

Young adults may have questions about an independent living stipend PA program or whether they can receive help paying for housing.

Pennsylvania’s Independent Living Program can provide room and board assistance to eligible youth who have exited care. Room and board services may be available to eligible youth ages 18 through 23, depending on program requirements and available funding.

Possible housing-related supports may include:

  • Emergency housing assistance
  • Short-term room and board assistance
  • Assistance during school breaks
  • Security deposits
  • Start-up household costs
  • Rent assistance or subsidies
  • Help locating longer-term housing

Because programs and funding can vary, youth should talk with their Independent Living coordinator or county children and youth agency about what may be available to them.

Tuition Waivers for Kinship Care: Know the Difference

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, especially when a young person is already thinking about housing, transportation, food, books, and other expenses.

Pennsylvania’s Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program, also known as FosterEd, helps remove financial barriers to postsecondary education for eligible youth who are or have been in foster care. Pennsylvania colleges and universities participating in the program provide eligible students with a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees after applicable federal and state gift aid is applied. The waiver can be used for up to five years, or 10 semesters, or until the student reaches age 26, depending on program requirements.

However, it is important to understand that not every young person in kinship care automatically qualifies for FosterEd. Eligibility is connected to specific requirements, including Chafee Education and Training Grant eligibility.

Chafee Education and Training Grant (ETG)

The Chafee Education and Training Grant (ETG) can provide financial assistance toward the cost of attending an institution of higher education for eligible Pennsylvania youth.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services identifies youth who, after turning 16, left foster care to return home, enter kinship care, guardianship, or adoption as potentially eligible for the Chafee ETG program, provided they meet the other eligibility requirements. The maximum award is currently $5,000 per academic year, subject to available funding and the student’s cost of attendance and other financial aid.

Youth considering college should ask about both Chafee ETG and FosterEd eligibility. Pennsylvania DHS states that all ETG applicants are automatically evaluated for the FosterEd tuition waiver.

Life Skills Matter, Too

Preparing for adulthood is about more than getting a diploma or finding an apartment. Young people also need opportunities to practice everyday skills before they are expected to manage them independently.

A transition plan can include goals related to:

Money

  • Creating a monthly budget
  • Opening and managing a bank account
  • Understanding credit, bills, savings, and taxes

Housing

  • Finding an apartment
  • Understanding a lease
  • Paying rent and utilities
  • Communicating with a landlord

Education & Career

  • Exploring college, training, or certification programs
  • Completing the FAFSA
  • Creating a résumé
  • Applying for jobs and preparing for interviews

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping and preparing basic meals
  • Doing laundry
  • Scheduling appointments
  • Managing transportation
  • Organizing important documents

Health & Wellness

  • Scheduling medical appointments
  • Understanding health insurance
  • Knowing where to go for health care
  • Building a support network

Pennsylvania’s Independent Living Program includes support with daily living skills, budgeting and financial management, career exploration, vocational training, job placement, and other areas that can help eligible youth prepare for adulthood.

Simple Transition Planning Checklist

You don’t have to figure everything out at once. Start with these questions and work through them one step at a time.

Education & Career

  • Do I know what I want to do after high school?
  • Have I explored college, trade school, certification, or other training?
  • Have I asked whether I qualify for ETG or FosterEd?
  • Do I have a résumé and a plan for finding work?

Money

  • Do I have a bank account?
  • Do I know how to create a monthly budget?
  • Do I understand my expected income and regular expenses?
  • Have I explored financial assistance that may be available to me?

Housing

  • Do I know where I will live?
  • Do I understand how much rent and utilities may cost?
  • Have I asked about Independent Living housing or room and board assistance?
  • Do I have a backup plan if my housing situation changes?

Everyday Life

  • Can I prepare a few basic meals?
  • Can I manage laundry and household responsibilities?
  • Can I schedule appointments and manage transportation?
  • Do I know how to ask for help when I need it?

ASCI Resources for Kinship Families

Transition planning does not have to happen alone. ASCI offers resources and services that can help children, youth, caregivers, and families navigate different stages of the kinship journey.

The Kinship Connections Resource Library provides practical information for kinship families, including resources related to children and youth, financial assistance, essential supplies, and other common questions families may have.

For families who need help connecting to services and resources, ASCI also provides support services in Philadelphia, including education, advocacy, resource coordination, and individualized assistance.

ASCI’s Pittsburgh office also provides opportunities for young people to build relationships, explore interests, and develop confidence as they grow.

Start Planning Before the Transition

Young people should not have to wait until they are leaving care to start thinking about adulthood.

Transition planning works best when it is an ongoing conversation. Goals can change. Plans can change. What matters is giving young people the information, practice, resources, and support they need to make informed decisions about their future.

If you are a teen or young adult who has experienced foster care, ask your caseworker or Independent Living coordinator what services you may qualify for. If you transitioned from foster care to kinship care, specifically ask about Chafee Education and Training Grant eligibility, FosterEd, Independent Living services, and available housing assistance.

Pennsylvania Resources

Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program
Learn about Pennsylvania’s tuition and mandatory fee waiver for eligible youth who are or have been in foster care.

Chafee Education and Training Grant (ETG)
Learn about education and training grant assistance for eligible Pennsylvania youth who have experienced foster care, including certain youth who transitioned to kinship care.

Pennsylvania Chafee Foster Care Program
Explore information about Independent Living services, aftercare, education and training assistance, housing support, and eligibility.

ASCI Programs & Services

Explore ASCI programs and services available to children, youth, caregivers, and families.

Take the Next Step

You don’t have to figure out adulthood on your own. Start by learning what support may be available to you.

Explore ASCI’s Kinship Connections Resource Library for practical resources, financial information, education support, and tools to help you plan for what comes next.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of A Second Chance, Inc.

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