These webpages identify external resources on specific topics of interest to foster, kinship and adoptive families.
The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) sponsors CR2, Children’s Regional Crisis Response program, 24-hour rapid response to youth (17 and younger) who are facing a mental health and/or substance use crisis.
Counselors provide phone screening and face-to-face assessment, intervention, and support.
The free service is also available by calling 844-627-4747.
Outside-The-Box College Accommodations: Real Support for Real Students: Tools for School from the Transitions Research and Training Center at University of Massachusetts
Learn your Rights: A Guide for Youth in Foster Care from the Virginia Poverty Law Center
How to Keep A Job: A Young Adult’s Guide, from the Transitions RTC
My Next Move, what do you want to do for a living? A career search site.
Think College: College options for people with Intellectual Disabilities
A Life 4 Me: for middle schoolers with disabilities and their parents
By Youth, For Youth: Employment guide from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability
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:
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.
Foster Care to Success
Apply here
Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood: Guidance for Foster Parents, a fact sheet of Child Welfare Information Gateway.
This factsheet provides guidance on how foster parents can help youth build a foundation for a successful transition to adult life outside of foster care. It describes the challenges youth face, how the adolescent brain affects them during this time, and Federal laws and programs. It also provides concrete ways they can partner with youth.
Great Expectations program for Virginia foster youth pursuing community college and other post-secondary education options.
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).
Project LIFE, sponsored by Virginia Department of Social Services and United Methodist Family Services. The mission of Project Life is to enhance the successful transition of older foster youth to adulthood by a) increasing the capacity of professionals working with youth to engage in sound, evidence-based practices and b) by promoting permanent connections, effective preparation for transition to adulthood, and meaningful youth input into state and local policies and practices.
Technology Resources for College Students with Disabilities guide provides reviews of specific tech resources
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.
The Center for Parent Information and Resources provides a webpage on Education/Training Connections resources.
The Center for Parent Information and Resources offers this webpage on Employment Connections resources.
Best Colleges offers an article on Top Mental Health Challenges Facing College Students
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.