The transition from teenage years to adulthood is rarely easy, even for children with strong parental support and significant resources. For teenagers in state custody, "aging-out" of the system with little or no support can be especially challenging. Studies show that young adults leaving custodial care are at great risk for failure.

They may have:

• Significantly lower levels of education
• Lower incidence of consistent employment
• Lowered earned income
• Difficulty accessing needed mental and medical health services
• Higher rates of substance abuse and criminal involvement

In 1999, Youth Villages, through a grant from The Day Foundation, began a Transitional Living Program to help these children get a good start on adulthood in the crucial years between age 18 and 21.

Transitional Living counselors help young people learn to deal with the minor and major problems that come with adulthood. They help participants find housing and health services, learn how to access transportation and meet their basic needs. Counselors teach life skills like budgeting, menu planning and grocery shopping. They help young people learn the skills needed to find and keep jobs, and sometimes help them reunite with their families.

Young people in the Transitional Living program set education and career goals. For some, this means obtaining a GED or high school diploma. For others, it means applying for college scholarships or attending vocational training. Staff provides assistance with selecting a career, developing a resume, applying for jobs, and preparing for job interviews. A Transitional Specialist may also help a young person learn to get along with co-workers and supervisors in the workplace.