It was a pleasure meeting with Catlynn Philpot, Independent Living Coordinator this evening to learn more about how families can support young adults who have aged out of foster care with providing a safe place to live and support with independent living skills.
There is a huge need for Extended Foster Families in St. Johns County!
These are young adults ages 18-23 who have aged out of foster care. Many of the 18 year old young adults are still in high school. These young adults are in need of a safe home and support with independent living skills.
The majority of youth who age out of foster care at age 18 are still in high school and are not ready to live independently.
20% of foster youth nationally become immediately homeless at age 18. Most struggle with independent living skills, which creates many obstacles in their lives.
Extended Foster Care families provide a safe living space for the young adult and support to the young adult with independent living skills such as:
Cooking
Cleaning
Budgeting
Postsecondary Education Planning
As an Extended Foster Care Family, you can make a tremendous difference in the life of a young adult, preparing them to live independently and lead successful adult lives.
Here is the playback from the Extended Foster Care Family Information meeting.
For additional questions or to begin the process of becoming an Extended Foster Care Family, please contact Catlynn Philpot, Family Integrity Program Independent Living Coordinator at 904-209-6114 or at cphilpot@sjcfl.us.
Our Extended Foster Care young adults are full of promise and potential. They need the community's support to help them reach their goals.
If the timing isn't right to become an Extended Foster Care Family, their are many opportunities to give support through Fostering Connections St. Johns.
How can you help fill the gaps?
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