College and Job Training

Postsecondary Options for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities in Foster, Kinship, or Adoptive Families- VA
March 01, 2024

Postsecondary Options for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities in Foster, Kinship, or Adoptive Families in Virginia

Graduation from high school can be a time of uncertainty, especially for youth and young adults in foster care, but it can also open a world of opportunities. There are some postsecondary options that might be helpful as youth and young adults in foster care plan for the transition from high school to college or career. Here are some of the options and resources available in Virginia.

Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program

The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program provides funding for education, training, and services needed for employment

The ETV Program:

    Covers tuition and fees, room and board, and other related expenses including books, supplies, transportation, and child care
    Can be applied toward, but not limited to, colleges, universities, community colleges, vocational programs, and one-year training institutions

To be eligible for the ETV Program, the youth/young adult must be:

    14-25 years old
    In foster care, Fostering Futures, or aged out after 18
    Out of foster care through adoption or the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program after turning 16

Great Expectations Program

Great Expectations program provides a bridge from high school to college by connecting foster youth with an adult coach who provides mentoring and wrap around support.

The Great Expectations Program:

    Available at all

Virginia Community Colleges

    Provides career exploration and coaching

      Assists the student in applying for admission and financial aid

        Provides life skills training, including budgeting and financial planning

          Provides personalized counseling

        To be eligible for the Great Expectations Program, the youth/young adult must be:

          17-24 years old
          Affiliated with VA foster care system or KinGap
          Or adopted from the VA foster care system after age 13
          Or adopted as a special needs adoption prior to age 13
          Enrolled in at least half-time enrollment (minimum 6 credits) in an eligible program of at least one academic year in length

        G3 Tuition Assistance

        G3 Tuition Assistance is for students living in Virginia who qualify for state financial aid and is available for select programs in five of Virginia’s most in-demand industries that are offered at Virginia’s community colleges.

        G3 Tuition Assistance:

          Available at 23 community colleges in Virginia
          Helps cover tuition for select programs in healthcare, early childhood education, information technology, and public safety
          Can help students earn workplace certification or academic degree
          Does not require a high school diploma or GED although specific programs may have those requirements

        To be eligible for G3 Tuition Assistance, the youth/young adult must:

          Be eligible for Virginia in-state tuition
          Have a household income less than or equal to 400% of the federal poverty level (approximately $100,000 for a family of four)
          Be enrolled or accepted at a VA public community college in an approved program
          Be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours per semester
          Apply for federal and state financial aid programs

        Check out these other resources:

        Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Programs and Services offers a comprehensive range of services and workforce development activities to individuals seeking employment, including new entrants to the workforce, and individuals with disabilities.

        Virginia Career Works

        The Success Foundation of VA (Richmond area) provides mentoring to young adults who have experienced foster care to help identify job and career aspirations and find sustainable employment that provides a living and career wage.

        Virginia Education Wizard 

  • Factsheet, Postsecondary Options for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities in Foster, Kinship, or Adoptive Families- VA

    VA fact sheet


Postsecondary Options for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities in Foster, Kinship, or Adoptive Families (SE States)
June 01, 2024

This fact sheet prepared by Formed Families Forward, in partnership with the WAZE to Adulthood project with the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) covers postsecondary educational options and resources for youth and young adults in foster care,  kinship care, and adoptive homes, and who have disabilities in 5 states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennesse.

The sheets are designed for parents, caregivers, professionals and youth.

  • Factsheet, Postsecondary Options for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities in Foster, Kinship, or Adoptive Families (SE States)

    FL fact sheet

  • Factsheet, Postsecondary Options for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities in Foster, Kinship, or Adoptive Families (SE States)

    GA fact sheet

  • Factsheet, Postsecondary Options for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities in Foster, Kinship, or Adoptive Families (SE States)

    NC fact sheet

  • Factsheet, Postsecondary Options for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities in Foster, Kinship, or Adoptive Families (SE States)

    SC fact sheet

  • Factsheet, Postsecondary Options for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities in Foster, Kinship, or Adoptive Families (SE States)

    TN fact sheet


Transitioning to Adulthood: Options and Resources from Panel Experts webinar
March 06, 2024

Broadcast live on March 6, 2024, this web panel of experts focused on post-secondary options for young adults with disabilities that impact behavioral health.

Three panelists from Breakthru Services, Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), and the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia shared information on skill building services, the basics of eligibility for DARS post-high school services, as well as targeted supports available for young adults with mental health and neurobehavioral needs and other conditions which present challenges to traditional post-secondary education, training and employment options.

  • Video, Transitioning to Adulthood: Options and Resources from Panel Experts webinar

    Panel webinar recording


IDEA to ADA: The Difference Between High School and College Accommodations webinar
January 10, 2023

Originally broadcast on January 10, 2023. this webinar was presented by Annie Tulkin, MS, Accessible College LLC.

  • PDF, IDEA to ADA: The Difference Between High School and College Accommodations webinar

    Webinar presentation slides

  • Video, IDEA to ADA: The Difference Between High School and College Accommodations webinar

    Webinar recording

  • Document, IDEA to ADA: The Difference Between High School and College Accommodations webinar

    Accessible College Resources from presenter Annie Tulkin


My Future website

A website produced by the Department of Defense with data from the Departments of CommerceEducation and Labor. Site offers information and tools on post-high school career, education and military options.

  • Website, My Future website


PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment

The road to adulthood for youth with disabilities is filled with opportunity, and parents play a key role. PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment is ready with the information families want, presented in a way families can use. The site features a wide array of transition-related resources for families and youth.

  • Website, PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment


Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information on who is considered “Parent” for financial aid

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information on who is considered “Parent” for financial aid.

If you are considered a dependent student for FAFSA® purposes, you will need to provide information about your legal parent(s) on the application. A legal parent is your biological or adoptive parent, or your legal parent as determined by the state (for example, if the parent is listed on your birth certificate). If you have a stepparent currently married to your legal parent, you generally also must provide information about him or her.

  • Website, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information on who is considered “Parent” for financial aid

    More info and how to apply


The Learning & Working Transitions RTC 

The Learning & Working Transitions RTC at University of Massachusetts Medical Center focuses on youth and young adults ages 14-30 who have serious mental health conditions, conducting cutting-edge research on age appropriate programs that support education, training, and working during the transition to adulthood.

  • Website, The Learning & Working Transitions RTC 


Outside-The-Box College Accommodations

Outside-The-Box College Accommodations: Real Support for Real Students: Tools for School from the Transitions Research and Training Center at University of Massachusetts

  • Toolkit, Outside-The-Box College Accommodations


My Next Move

My Next Move, what do you want to do for a living? A career search site.

  • Website, My Next Move


Think College

Think College: College options for people with Intellectual Disabilities

  • Website, Think College


Dude, Where’s My Transition Plan?
November 20, 2014

Dude, Where’s My Transition Plan? Guide from Formed Families Forward and PEATC.

The youth-friendly guide covers many of the basics of transition preparation and planning, including:

  • Transition planning as part of the IEP
  • Transition services
  • Self-determination
  • Goal setting
  • Employment
  • Post-secondary education
  • Health care
  • Independent living options
  • Managing money
  • Transportation
  • Adult rights and responsibilities
  • MANY national and Virginia resources
  • Toolkit, Dude, Where’s My Transition Plan?


Foster Care to Success

Foster Care to Success: America’s College Fund for Foster Youth.

All Foster Care to Success scholarships share one application; we will determine the program(s) for which you are eligible based on the information you provide.

  • Website, Foster Care to Success

    Foster Care to Success

  • Website, Foster Care to Success

    Apply here


Great Expectations program

Great Expectations program for Virginia foster youth pursuing community college and other post-secondary education options.

  • Website, Great Expectations program


Services for Older Youth

Services for Older Youth, VDSS.  These include the Independent Living Program for youth 14 and older and education programs such as the Community College Tuition Grant and Education and Training Vouchers (ETV).

  • Website, Services for Older Youth


JobCorps

JobCorps, a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job has several locations in Virginia.

  • Website, JobCorps


Education & Training Connections resources from CPIR

The Center for Parent Information and Resources provides a webpage on Education/Training Connections resources.

  • Website, Education & Training Connections resources from CPIR


Top Mental Health Challenges Facing College Students

Best Colleges offers an article on Top Mental Health Challenges Facing College Students

  • Guide, Top Mental Health Challenges Facing College Students


PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment

PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment provides information and resources for youth, families, employers and others helping teens and young adults with disabilities as they transition.

  • Website, PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment


Comprehensive Approach to Transition Guide

Comprehensive Approach to Transition Guide from the Association of University Centers on Disability is a youth-friendly planning workbook.

  • Worksheet, Comprehensive Approach to Transition Guide