Transitional Services Branch

The Transitional Services Branch supports young people who have been in out-of-home care at age 14 or older, no matter their permanency goal. Helping these youth means understanding their rights, knowing what services and resources are available, and guiding them through the unique challenges they face as they become adults.

The John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood is a federally funded program that helps youth move from foster care to independent living. Known as the Chafee program, it sets standards for the types of support youth can receive and provides funding to states to deliver these services.

Chafee services include:

Support for positive youth development
Advocacy and protection of youth rights
Daily living skills
Help with high school and college education
Career exploration, job training, and employment readiness
Financial literacy
Preventive services, such as substance use prevention, pregnancy prevention and family planning, human trafficking prevention, and preventive health care
Building healthy, lasting relationships with supportive adults
Opportunities for age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate activities
Learning relationship skills for future intimate and family relationships
Hands-on learning experiences similar to those of youth in permanent families

Formal transition planning starts at age 17 and again 90 days before the youth turns 18. For youth who remain in care past age 18, planning also happens at ages 19, 20 and 90 days before turning 21.

These services and resources are available to both youth currently in foster care and those who have aged out.