Each year in Sacramento County, approximately 170 youths turn 18 years old while in foster care —which for many can mean they will be without a family and often without supportive adults in their lives as they age out of the system. But, most 18-year-olds still need financial help, emotional support and other assistance as they enter adulthood and begin to plan for the future.
The program began in Sacramento County in January 2012, and social workers assist the young adults in maintaining a safety net of support while offering the experience of independent living in a secure and supervised environment. As of December 2018, approximately 360 youth are actively participating in the program.
To qualify, youth must meet one of five conditions:
- Be in the process of completing high school or an equivalent program (GED)
- Be enrolled in a university, vocational school or community college at least half-time
- Be employed at least 80 hours a month
- Participate in a program designed to promote employment or remove barriers to employment
- Be unable to meet the above requirements due to a medical condition.
County social workers work closely with the youth to determine which housing program will best suit their needs. Housing options include:
- Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP)
- Least restrictive and most popular placement
- Allows youth to select their own housing and live independently
- Must participate in a readiness assessment that determines the youth’s level of preparedness for independence including identifying strengths in areas such as budgeting, daily living skills and safety
- Receive a monthly stipend
- Meet monthly with a County social worker
- Transitional Housing Placement Plus Foster Care (THP+FC)
- Assists with costs associated with rent, and provides a monthly stipend for utilities, furnishings, food and other necessities
- Required to meet weekly with a THP+FC social worker/case manager
- Meet monthly with a County social worker
- Links to experts in the community to help in the navigation of jobs, resumes, applications, higher education and financial aid
- Independent Living Program (ILP)
- Provides financial assistance and services to current and former foster/probation youth, 16-20 years of age
- Offers assistance with vital documents, life skills classes, support groups, transportation and tutoring.
“Youth who agree to participate in the Extended Foster Care Program demonstrate more positive outcomes in areas such as employment, education and housing stability than their peers who do not,” said Stephanie Sandmeier, Human Services Program Planner. “This program is vital to help our young adults move forward and make the right decisions for their future.”
Extended Foster Care is proud to partner with iFoster, a national non-profit which has developed a jobs program specifically for eligible foster youth between the ages of 17 and 24. iFoster helps prepare foster youth for the workforce by providing a curriculum focused on job skills, soft skills and life skills. The non-profit also partners with major employers like Raley’s, Starbucks and CVS. When young people are ready for a job, they can be matched with a potential employer. iFoster matches youth with employers offering permanent employment, guaranteed hours, decent wages, opportunities for advancement and scholarship programs.
For additional information on Extended Foster Care, contact Human Services Program Planner,
Stephanie Sandmeier.
If you want to support Extended Foster Care young adults with purchasing food and housewares for their new living spaces, please mail gift cards for grocery stores, Target, or Walmart to:
Department of Child, Family and Adult Services
925 Del Paso Blvd, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95815
