Right now, more than 424,000 children and young people are living in foster homes across the country, removed from their own families because of incidents of abuse, neglect or crisis. Youth Villages believes that we all have a responsibility to help these children find permanency — to be reunited with their families or adopted — so that they can grow up safe and nurtured.

Still approximately 20,000 young people reach adulthood in child welfare systems around the country every year without family support. They are preparing to leave foster care on their own, and statistics show us that they face an array of negative outcomes. They are more likely to be homeless, less likely to complete their education, less likely to earn a living wage, more likely to have their own children younger.

These young people are resilient and capable, but most struggle in the transition to adulthood, especially when working to overcome childhood adversity.

The LifeSet program grew from a conversation between Youth Villages CEO Patrick Lawler and Memphis Philanthropist Clarence Day of The Day Foundation in 1998. Day wanted to reach a group of young people who were not receiving the help they needed to be successful. Lawler identified young people who ‘aged out’ of services at age 18. At that time, there were very few programs or services to help them. Youth Villages launched what would become the LifeSet program in 1999 with funding and continued support from The Day Foundation.

LifeSet was one of the nation’s first – and now one of the largest – programs helping young people who reach adulthood in foster care.

Every year in the United States about 20,000 young people turn 18 in foster care and can ‘age out’ of state. Like all young people, those who have experienced foster care have enormous potential. With support, they can overcome childhood adversity in the critical transition to adulthood. Youth Villages is committed to working with philanthropic partners, innovative agencies, and high-performing nonprofits across the country to help every young person who turns 18 in foster care and needs support make a successful journey from foster care to adulthood.

In a randomized controlled trial, leading research firm MDRC found LifeSet program participation increases earnings, economic well-being, and employment, reduces homelessness, improves mental health, and reduces domestic and partner violence. A second randomized trial is about to begin, and quasi-experimental research is also underway.

Since 1999, LifeSet has helped more than 20,000 young people. It is the largest program of its type in the United States. Youth Villages will help almost 5,000 young people in transition-age services this year.

LifeSet is now offered through direct Youth Villages services in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee. The LifeSet program model is provided through partnerships with innovative agencies and high-performing nonprofits in Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington and Washington, D.C. LifeSet is used as the model for state extension of foster care in Louisiana.

The program model is designed to help young people age 17 to 22. The requirements for the program differ based on jurisdiction.

We’ve identified six components of LifeSet that really make a difference to young people.

• Engagement: LifeSet uses an intensive, individualized approach that revolves around an in-person, weekly meeting with a highly trained specialist in the community and 24/7 support.
• Codified Model: While the interventions with each young person are individualized, adherence to a structured model has allowed LifeSet to be effective in rural and urban settings, with youth from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in varying states and jurisdictions across the country.
• Best Practices: LifeSet is based on science, evidence and the best practices in child welfare and behavioral health Youth Villages developed LifeSet in 1999 and has 20 years of expertise in helping young people on their journey from foster care to adulthood.
• Guidetree™ – Case Conceptualization, Online Resources and Expert Guidance: LifeSet pairs the ongoing guidance of a master’s level Licensed Program Expert (LPE) with a robust online platform that contains hundreds of evidence-based, evidence-informed, and other best practices interventions and resources.
• Action Oriented: The LifeSet program model emphasizes experiential learning, with specialists practicing skills with the young person and modeling behavior in the real world.
• Lasting Impact: LifeSet gives young people the know-how and confidence to problem-solve, build a network of support and conquer everyday challenges.

Transitioning to adulthood from foster care is one of the most challenging changes a person can make. Many former foster youths have experienced neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and substance abuse by their biological or foster family. It is estimated that 80% of former foster youth experienced trauma before adulthood.

Here are some qualifiers for a successful transition to adulthood:

Money Management

Undoubtedly, the ability to manage money is a critical skill for anyone. By participating in a LifeSet program, you will learn how financial literacy can help you accomplish your goals in life. Financial literacy is not just about saving and budgeting money but more about developing good money habits and making sound financial decisions for your future.

Self-esteem

Self-esteem is a very important part of the transition to adulthood. LifeSet programs help foster youth build a positive self-image through activities such as exercise, martial arts, and sports. LifeSet instills confidence in foster youth by building strong interpersonal relationships with their peers, mentors, and leadership training.

Employment Skills

Employment skills are used in the workplace. Self-assessments of skills help participants determine the skills needed to succeed in a work environment. Another important skill learned in LifeSet is job readiness. Job readiness is preparing for available jobs that match your skills, interests, and abilities. LifeSet helps foster youth master the job search process, learn how to write a resume and cover letter, prepare for an interview, and create a professional portfolio.

High School Diploma or GED

Many foster youths miss one or more grades and never complete high school. LifeSet helps participants obtain their GED or regular high school diploma. This helps foster youth qualify for jobs and post-secondary education. LifeSet helps participants get their feet wet by allowing them to participate in community service learning experiences at local colleges, universities, and other programs that offer those opportunities to former foster youth.

It costs about $50 a day to provide the intensive, comprehensive services in LifeSet, and the services last six to nine months. LifeSet is usually provided through public-private partnerships.

Periodically, grant opportunities are open to public agencies (or private agencies who formally direct distribution of public funds on behalf of the government agency) to cover a portion of LifeSet planning and implementation costs.

To find out more about bringing LifeSet to your jurisdiction through direct services or partnerships, please reach out to strategic.partnerships@youthvillages.org.