The already turbulent experience of adolescence is often magnified for youth in foster care. Once they are placed in care – a monumental change on its own – these youth frequently juggle new home environments, multiple school placements, and new peers and social workers

These changes can trigger intense emotional and psychological responses in foster youth that can make it even more difficult for them to prepare for life as independent adults. It’s much harder to pay attention in school or get along with others on your job when you are grappling with feelings of anger and loss. 

Even when foster care agencies provide therapeutic services to youth, they often address the emotional trauma that led to the young person’s placement in care without fully acknowledging the resulting transitions. They may address the pain that the young person feels, but they do not always address the attitudes, behaviors, and relationships that the young person has developed in response to the barrage of changes in their lives. What is needed is greater attention to a foster youth’s transitions.

Case Study - Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth
Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth has served at-risk youth in New York for over a century.  In that time, it has explored a range of innovative models to empower youth who face staggering challenges.  While Berkshire had enjoyed much success, it continued to struggle with how best to prepare those with the least resources – foster youth with no family support – for their greatest challenge: life on their own. Read more about how Berkshire used Transitions: more >

Projects that have used the Transition Framework to serve Foster Youth Transitioning to Independence

Andrus Enrichment Project
Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth
Canaan, New York
www.berkshirefarm.org

Transitions Through Theater Studies
Black Ensemble Theater
Chicago, IL
www.blackensembletheater.org

Fostering Transitions Initiative for LGBTQ Foster Youth
Child Welfare League of America/Lamda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.
Washington, DC/New York, NY
www.cwla.org    
www.lamdalegal.org

The WAY Transitions Program
Children’s Village
Dobbs Ferry, NY
www.childrensvillage.org

Transitions in Independent Living
Concern of Durham
Durham, NC
www.concernofdurham.org

Transitions Mentoring Program and Publications
Edmund Muskie School of Public Service
Portland, ME
www.muskie.usm.maine.edu

FLUX, Life After Foster Care
Foster Care Alumni of America
Excerpt (PDF)
www.fostercarealumni.org

GLBTQ Mentoring Program
Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services, Inc. (GLASS)
West Hollywood, CA
www.glassla.org

Walking the Path – Managing Transitions
Hunter College School of Social Work
Independent Living Resource Center
New York, NY
www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/asrn/

Roots & Shoots for Foster Youth
Jane Goodall Institute
Silver Spring, MD
www.rootsandshoots.org

VOICES Transition and Emancipation Center
On the Move
Walnut Creek, CA
www.onthemovebayarea.org

Transitions to Success Program
Orangewood’s Children Foundation
Santa Ana, CA
www.orangewoodfoundation.org

Young Women in Transition Project
Oregon Social Learning Center
Eugene, OR
www.oslc.org

Transitions for Lifelong Successes Program
Professional Association of Treatment Homes (PATH)
St. Paul, MN
www.pathinc.org

Bridge Builders Program
Professional Association of Treatment Homes (PATH)
St. Paul, MN
www.pathinc.org

Transitions for Youth in Foster Families
St. Vincent’s Services
Brooklyn, NY
www.svs.org

Transitions Mentoring Program for LGBTI Youth
True Colors, Inc.
Manchester, CT
www.ourtruecolors.org

Bridges to Independence
Walden Family Services
San Diego, CA
www.waldenfamily.org

Integration of Transitions in YAC’s Self-Advocacy Curriculum
Youth Advocacy Center
New York, NY
www.youthadvocacycenter.org

Transitions Writing Workshops for Youth
Youth Communication
New York, NY
www.youthcomm.org