Many youth have not had the opportunity to return to their families for a variety of reasons and are approaching adulthood. These youth typically lack family connections and have multiple issues creating immense challenges to attaining self-sufficiency.

Current research indicates young adults who are able to remain within the fostercare system beyond the age of 18 fare far better than those who left it.According to an article published in The New York Times about the study,
“those who had left care were 50% more likely to be unemployed and out of
school than those who stayed in. About 14% of those who left...reported findingthemselves homeless...11.5% reported sometimes or often not having enough toeat, compared to less than 4% who stayed in care.”

Further, research shows that many of these foster youth are not ready to
live independently and are at a greater risk of becoming homeless, addicted to substances and chronically unemployed. Fortunately for youth in Illinois, they may choose to remain in foster care until the age of 21; not so in Iowa, Wisconsin and most other states.

Kaleidoscope’s Youth Development Program (YDP) teaches the independent living skills and affords the vocational and educational assistance needed to succeed at becoming self-sufficient young adults. 

In line with Kaleidoscope's philosophy of unconditional care, YDP teams assist youth with areas needing improvement and build upon strengths. Teams initially concentrate on stabilizing behavior, later shifting to establishing educational or vocational goals and learning basic independent living skills, such as budgeting and maintaining the apartment in which they live.

Transition to Adult Services was created in consultation with the DCFS Office of Services to Individuals with Developmental Disabilities to ensure that youth "aging out" of the child welfare system are successfully transitioned into adult care before their DCFS cases are closed.

To attain independence, youth require the advice and help they get from their support system, which typically includes family, community, friends, schools, and other civic or religious organizations. For teens lacking a support system, Kaleidoscope fills the gap through an array of services with a community focus.

We are excited to continue the Find Your Future internship program for young adults cared for by the State of Illinois who are attending two- and four-year colleges. Learn more.