Children, Youth & Families - Adolescent Program

The Adolescent Program is designed to ensure that current and former New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families and Division for Juvenile Justice youth obtain the preparation, resources and positive youth development they need to establish connections with caring adults and become healthy, self sufficient and successful. Adolescent Child Protective Social Workers with specialized training in adult living preparation, positive youth development and teen services, provide case consultation and resource information to agency staff working with this population.

For youth in out-of-home placement, the Adult Living Preparation Process is in place to help them plan for their futures and prepare for a successful transition to adulthood. Participation in the program is a federal requirement for all youth over the age of 16 who are in foster care or group placement due to abuse or neglect. Adult Living Preparation is available to youth in placement due to Child in Need of Services (CHINS) petitions or delinquency. Adult Living Preparation services begin at the age of 14 for youth under NH guardianship.

Teens are encouraged to actively engage in the Adult Living Preparation Process. Each teen receives written information about community resources, transitional and adult issues. In addition, a youth participates in several assessments (including a career assessment) and helps with the development of an Adult Living Preparation Plan and Aftercare Plan to support living as an adult after exit from state care. Each assessment and plan is updated regularly to monitor progress and ensure a teen's adult preparation needs are met.

Adult Living Preparation Plans and associated support services address such issues as permanent connections, education, job training and employment, housing and transportation, money management, health and safety needs, and behavioral and social skills including learning about community resources. A variety of skills training, resources and opportunities are available to youth participating in the Adult Living Preparation process:

Training

NH Trails (NH Teen Responsibility and Independent Living Skills): A curriculum designed for foster and residential providers to teach youth in their care adult living skills in the areas of Personal and Social Growth, Education and Career Development, and Daily Living Skills.
Skills Training: Experiential education and practice of adult living skills is provided at a teen's placement.

Education

Higher Education: DCYF is in partnership with the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) to conduct a series of workshops for foster care youth with college aspirations. Youth and their caregivers are connected to a NHHEAF college counselor who will guide them through the college application, admissions and financial aid process.

Positive Youth Development

Youth Advisory Board: NH Teen Voices is an advisory board, comprised of teens in out-of-home placement. The board's mission is "making a difference for youth in care by voicing opinions for positive change" and it meets monthly to work on a variety of projects of interest to foster children. DCYF solicits opinions from NH Teen Voices for the development of policies and programs affecting youth in care. Members of the board also serve on panels, perform community service and participate in trainings presented to peers, DCYF staff, placement providers and community professionals.
Annual Teen Conference: Each year the Adolescent Program and NH Teen Voices host a conference for older teens in out-of-home placement. Designed to help young people connect with each other and build upon adult living skills, these conferences provide opportunities for learning, socialization and fun in a safe, respectful atmosphere.

Financial Assistance

Moderate levels of funding are available to help eligible youth achieve their adult living plan goals, assisting with purchases such as driver education, vocational training, career exploration, educational activities, work clothes, items to set up housekeeping and other needs that may be identified.

Aftercare Services

Eligible young adults, ages 18-21, who aged out of foster care in New Hampshire are provided with continued case management, support and financial assistance to meet their basic needs and support their pursuit of education, employment, housing and well being goals. Education and Training Voucher funding (ETV) is available for these young adults and those adopted from DCYF care at age 16 or older, who are pursuing postsecondary education or vocational training.