π Foster Care Transition Resources
A 51-jurisdiction directory of services, readability scores, and accessibility data for youth aging out of foster care in the United States.
Alabama
SouthποΈ Agency
Alabama Department of Human Resources
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate (machine only)
β Strengths
- Codified IL requirements with standardized outcome forms
- DREAM Ambassadors youth leadership
- Children’s Aid Society partnership model
- re-entry provisions for ages 18-20.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Alaska
WestποΈ Agency
Alaska Office of Children’s Services
π Languages
Spanish, Yup’ik, Inupiaq, Tagalog; Google Translate available
β Strengths
- VOA Alaska wraparound services (housing, mental health, employment)
- three-phase transition model
- Youth Advisory Council advises policy
- Roadmap to Independence program.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Arizona
WestποΈ Agency
Arizona Department of Child Safety
π Languages
Spanish (native translations available), Navajo; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Keys to Success program (93% job placement, 83% postsecondary enrollment)
- Youth Villages LifeSet
- Youth Empowerment Council ages 14-23
- ASU-evaluated outcomes.
β οΈ Gaps
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Extended care age cutoff unclear
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Arkansas
SouthποΈ Agency
Arkansas Division of Children & Family Services
π Languages
Spanish, Marshallese; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Immerse Arkansas trauma-informed housing and mentoring
- FYI housing vouchers
- Youth Advisory Boards
- Fostering Success scholarships.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
California
WestποΈ Agency
California Department of Social Services
π Languages
Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Russian, Armenian, Farsi; native translations on CDSS site
β Strengths
- National leader: AB 12 extended care to 21
- THP+/THP-NMD housing
- Guardian Scholars at multiple campuses
- NextUp community college support
- CYC youth-led advocacy
- Chafee Grant
- First Place for Youth
- iFoster.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Colorado
WestποΈ Agency
Colorado Department of Human Services
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- FYIT program with FYI vouchers
- campus-based Guardian Scholars
- Mile High United Way Bridging the Gap
- Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center advocacy.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Connecticut
NortheastποΈ Agency
Connecticut Department of Children and Families
π Languages
Spanish, Portuguese; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Extended care to age 23 (among highest nationally)
- CHAP housing subsidies
- SHY transitional housing
- UConn Fostering Success
- CCSU Fostering Futures.
β οΈ Gaps
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Delaware
SouthποΈ Agency
Delaware Division of Family Services
π Languages
Spanish, Haitian Creole; Google Translate
β Strengths
- SEED Scholarship (free tuition at Del Tech)
- UD Fostering Success program
- Youth Advisory Council
- strong education pipeline.
β οΈ Gaps
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Cuts off extended care at 18
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
District of Columbia
SouthποΈ Agency
DC Child and Family Services Agency
π Languages
Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, Vietnamese; native translations on CFSA site
β Strengths
- CFSA youth transition services
- WCAG 2.1 AA compliant website
- multilingual native translations
- 6 languages available.
β οΈ Gaps
- Massive digital footprint gap (No materials found)
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Florida
SouthποΈ Agency
Florida Department of Children and Families
π Languages
Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Tuition waiver at all public colleges/universities
- Road to Independence stipends
- PESS monthly financial aid
- Florida Youth SHINE statewide advocacy
- Aftercare services to 22.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Georgia
SouthποΈ Agency
Georgia Division of Family & Children Services
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Tuition & fee waiver at public institutions
- Embark Georgia statewide college support network
- EmpowerMEnt youth-led advocacy
- Guardian Scholars programs.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Cuts off extended care at 18
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Hawaii
WestποΈ Agency
Hawaii Department of Human Services
π Languages
Hawaiian, Ilocano, Japanese, Tagalog, Chinese, Korean, Samoan; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Imua Kakou (‘moving forward together’) extended care to 21
- tuition waiver at UH system
- cultural integration through Partners in Development Foundation
- Foster Youth Coalition.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Idaho
WestποΈ Agency
Idaho Department of Health & Welfare
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Tuition waiver at public institutions
- Guardian Scholars at Boise State and Idaho State
- Youth Advisory Board
- strong campus-based support.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Cuts off extended care at 18
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Illinois
MidwestποΈ Agency
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
π Languages
Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Arabic; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Extended care past 18
- strong ILP with life skills
- campus-based programs
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Cuts off extended care at 18
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Indiana
MidwestποΈ Agency
Indiana Department of Child Services
π Languages
Spanish, Burmese; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Collaborative Care program model
- tuition waiver
- youth advisory councils
- campus-based supports.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Cuts off extended care at 18
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Iowa
MidwestποΈ Agency
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- PAL (Preparation for Adult Living) program
- tuition waiver
- youth advisory engagement.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Extended care age cutoff unclear
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Kansas
MidwestποΈ Agency
Kansas Department for Children and Families
π Languages
Spanish, Vietnamese; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Tuition waiver at public institutions
- youth advisory councils
- ILP with comprehensive life skills.
β οΈ Gaps
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Cuts off extended care at 18
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Kentucky
SouthποΈ Agency
Kentucky Department for Community Based Services
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- KYRISE interactive web portal
- LifeSet program
- extended care to 21
- tuition waiver
- RISE program (Resources for Independence, Success, and Empowerment).
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Louisiana
SouthποΈ Agency
Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services
π Languages
Spanish, Vietnamese, French; Google Translate
β Strengths
- LifeSet intensive case management
- Chafee program
- extended care options
- youth advisory engagement.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Cuts off extended care at 18
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Maine
NortheastποΈ Agency
Maine Office of Child and Family Services
π Languages
Spanish, French, Somali, Arabic; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Lowest target page SMOG (7.51 = 7th grade) β most readable youth materials in the nation
- extended care to 21.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Maryland
SouthποΈ Agency
Maryland Department of Human Services
π Languages
Spanish, Chinese, Korean, French, Vietnamese; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Ready by 21 program
- tuition waiver
- strong campus supports
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Cuts off extended care at 18
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Massachusetts
NortheastποΈ Agency
Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
π Languages
Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese; native translations on Mass.gov
β Strengths
- Extended care to age 23 (among highest nationally)
- tuition waiver
- WCAG 2.1 AA compliant site
- native translations in 5 languages
- strong campus programs.
β οΈ Gaps
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Michigan
MidwestποΈ Agency
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
π Languages
Spanish, Arabic; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Fostering Success Michigan statewide college network
- extended care to 21
- youth advisory councils
- strong campus-based supports.
β οΈ Gaps
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Minnesota
Midwestπ Languages
Spanish, Somali, Hmong; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Successful Transition to Adulthood program
- extended care to 21
- youth advisory councils
- Somali and Hmong language access.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Mississippi
SouthποΈ Agency
Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Tuition waiver at public institutions
- ILP with life skills
- youth advisory engagement.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Cuts off extended care at 18
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Missouri
MidwestποΈ Agency
Missouri Children’s Division
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Older Youth Program
- tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Montana
WestποΈ Agency
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
π Languages
English only; no translation widget observed
β Strengths
- Bridge to Independence program
- ILP services despite rural challenges
- youth advisory engagement.
β οΈ Gaps
- Missing explicit healthcare/Medicaid transition info
- Lacks direct 24/7 crisis resources
- Extended care age cutoff unclear
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Nebraska
MidwestποΈ Agency
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Bridge to Independence program
- tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Nevada
WestποΈ Agency
Nevada Division of Child and Family Services
π Languages
Spanish, Tagalog; Google Translate
β Strengths
- LifeSet program
- extended care to 21
- youth advisory councils
- ILP with comprehensive services.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
New Hampshire
NortheastποΈ Agency
New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Extended care to 21
- tuition waiver
- LINKS-style program
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
New Jersey
NortheastποΈ Agency
New Jersey Department of Children and Families
π Languages
Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Gujarati; Google Translate
β Strengths
- NJ Foster Care Scholars program
- extended care to 21
- strong campus supports
- 6+ languages available
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
New Mexico
WestποΈ Agency
New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department
π Languages
Spanish, Navajo; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Extended care to 21
- ILP services
- youth advisory engagement
- bilingual Spanish/Navajo access.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
New York
NortheastποΈ Agency
New York Office of Children and Family Services
π Languages
Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Haitian Creole, Korean, Bengali, Arabic; native translations on OCFS site
β Strengths
- WCAG 2.1 AA compliant site
- native translations in 7 languages
- tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- strong campus programs
- OCFS youth programs.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
North Carolina
SouthποΈ Agency
North Carolina Division of Social Services
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- LINKS program (Living Independently, Navigating toward Key Successes)
- NC Reach college support
- tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
North Dakota
MidwestποΈ Agency
North Dakota Department of Human Services
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- youth advisory councils
- ILP services despite rural geography.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Ohio
MidwestποΈ Agency
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
π Languages
Spanish, Somali; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Bridges program
- Ohio Reach college support
- lowest homepage SMOG (6.43 = 6th grade) β most accessible state homepage
- extended care to 21.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Oklahoma
SouthποΈ Agency
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- ILP with comprehensive services
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Oregon
WestποΈ Agency
Oregon Department of Human Services
π Languages
Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Passport to Careers program (national model)
- tuition waiver
- LifeSet
- extended care to 21
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Pennsylvania
NortheastποΈ Agency
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
π Languages
Spanish, Chinese; Google Translate
β Strengths
- LifeSet program
- tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- Chafee program
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Rhode Island
NortheastποΈ Agency
Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families
π Languages
Spanish, Portuguese; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Extended care options
- ILP services
- youth advisory engagement.
β οΈ Gaps
- ETV age cutoff at 23
- No public portal for tuition waiver
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
South Carolina
SouthποΈ Agency
South Carolina Department of Social Services
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- ILP services
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
South Dakota
MidwestποΈ Agency
South Dakota Department of Social Services
π Languages
Spanish, Lakota; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- ILP services
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- No State Tuition Waiver
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Tennessee
SouthποΈ Agency
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
π Languages
Spanish, Arabic, Kurdish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative
- LifeSet program
- extended care to 21
- tuition waiver
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Texas
SouthποΈ Agency
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
π Languages
Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese; Google Translate
β Strengths
- PAL program (Preparation for Adult Living)
- Supervised Independent Living (SIL) state-managed housing
- tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- youth advisory councils.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Utah
WestποΈ Agency
Utah Department of Human Services
π Languages
Spanish; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- ILP services
- youth advisory councils
- resource hub for foster alums.
β οΈ Gaps
- No Title IV-E Extended Foster Care
- Punitive 90-day window to re-enter
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Vermont
NortheastποΈ Agency
Vermont Department for Children and Families
π Languages
English only; no translation widget observed
β Strengths
- Fostering Futures program
- extended care to 21
- tuition waiver
- lowest homepage SMOG among New England states (9.02).
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Virginia
SouthποΈ Agency
Virginia Department of Social Services
π Languages
Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Fostering Futures program
- tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- youth advisory councils
- strong campus supports.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Washington
WestποΈ Agency
Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families
π Languages
Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Korean, Tagalog, Somali; native translations on DCYF site
β Strengths
- Passport to Careers (national model)
- Mockingbird Family Model (youth voice as legislative engine)
- WCAG 2.1 AA compliant
- 7 native translations
- extended care to 21.
β οΈ Gaps
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
West Virginia
SouthποΈ Agency
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
π Languages
English only; no translation widget observed
β Strengths
- MODIFY program (Mentoring and Oversight Designed to Inspire Foster Youth)
- tuition waiver at all public universities.
β οΈ Gaps
- Re-entry strictly capped at 20th birthday
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
Wisconsin
MidwestποΈ Agency
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
π Languages
Spanish, Hmong; Google Translate
β Strengths
- Tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- ILP services
- youth advisory councils
- DCF young adults portal.
β οΈ Gaps
- Extended care locked exclusively behind IEP requirement
- Punitive 10-day appeal window
Wyoming
WestποΈ Agency
Wyoming Department of Family Services
π Languages
English only; no translation widget observed
β Strengths
- LifeSet program
- tuition waiver
- extended care to 21
- ILP services despite rural challenges.
β οΈ Gaps
- Forbids re-entry (must order before 18)
- No State Tuition Waiver
- Appeals/Grievances Absent
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