It’s hard to overstate the impact of transitional housing programs for foster youth. Former foster youth have a notoriously difficult time finding their way in adult life because of the many disadvantages that they face. While transitional housing can’t completely erase all of those disadvantages, it can help tremendously and has put many young people on track for an excellent future. Let’s look closer at how AB12 California supports these vital programs. 

What is AB12?

Also called the California Fostering Connections to Success Act, AB12 California is a piece of legislation that extends foster care services to eligible youth until the age of 21. This is in direct response to the many challenges that foster youth face when trying to move into adult life. Thanks to the help of AB12 California, there are now many more resources available to those in the 18-21 age window. Those resources include extended foster care and the outstanding transitional housing programs. When a foster child enters a transitional housing program, he or she will have access to critical resources like job training, case management, rental assistance, and much more. 

Why Transitional Housing is So Critical

A disproportionate number of former foster children wind up living on the street after they leave the program. This is likely due to a number of reasons, including the fact that foster children don’t have the traditional support that is afforded to young people with stable family lives. It’s hard to immediately start making enough money to pay the bills and take all of the responsibility for life as a young adult. Where many people have the safety net of a family to step in and care for them, foster kids who have left the system typically don’t have that help. Transitional housing can make all the difference in keeping them away from the streets and on track to build a life. 

If you are eligible for the transitional housing program and interested in learning more, apply now. If you want to become a mentor for the young adults in the THP program, contact Children First Foster Family Agency.

Children First FFA is a private, non-profit organization in Northern California that is dedicated to helping change lives by providing a safe place for children to heal in a culture of love, acceptance, and consistency.