Resources, activities and tools for this community of practice.

Youth face many changes and challenges as they move into adulthood, and for those who have been involved in various social welfare systems, these changes can be even more profound. Roughly 20,000 youth in a given year age out of foster care and are on their own, often with limited family ties. Nearly 38,000 youth aged 17–20 were in residential placement for juvenile offenses in 1997. Approximately 375,000 students left special education in the 2000–2001 school year, often without a high school degree.

To compound the difficulties, the youth often have learning disabilities, limited life skills, and health, emotional, and behavioral problems that can exacerbate an already challenging transition. Many face adult challenges without a familiar support system as they transition out of services. However, services and special programs have been developed that are successful in helping these youth during this transition. Obtaining the necessary support is critical in these youths’ lives in order to reach the goal of embracing successful futures as adults.

The Technical Assistance Partnership’s Transition-Aged Youth Community of Practice provides an opportunity for discussion, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas and resources related to transition-aged youth in system of care communities. Through formal and informal networking opportunities, the Community of Practice will be better able to provide the necessary and desired assistance to those youth in their community transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.

Back to the community home page.