The critical period between when young adults leave foster care at age 18, and the transitionary time as they become self-sufficient adults is critical. New legislation will extend vital services and support as they make the transition to full independence. These services include mentoring, tutoring, mental health services, substance abuse counseling, job and career skills training, parenting classes, emergency financial assistance, financial literacy training, and more.

Here at SOS Children’s Villages Florida, we have been on the forefront through our “Next Steps” program of providing these services to young adults who have both spent time at the Village, as well as those aging out of care within the South Florida community. This program is made possible through majority funding from The Jim Moran Foundation, The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, and a private family foundation. Our services include those listed in the new legislation and are fortified
by having individual life coaches assigned to each of the almost 160 young adults in our Next Steps program.

The program outcomes far exceed national averages for comparable measures for foster youth and serve as an efficacy model for the needs of former foster youth.