Stepping Out Program
Stepping Out is a first of its kind Independent Living Support & Stabilization service designed to help youth transition from prior placements or home settings to living independently and successfully with the resulting goal of exiting state care. Stepping Out’s target population is young adults ages 18-22 years of age (either male and female). The purpose of this service is to provide short-term personal support ensuring a successful transition for these youth to live independently of state care and funding.
These youth face major hurdles such as the loss of placement funding from state agencies such as DCF or home environment while often simultaneouslylosing the support and guidance of their foster parents, outreach worker, group home staff or other parental caretaker. Ironically, as these youth begin to pay their rent along with other common bills, they often need more short-term transitional help budgeting, managing their tenancy, maintaining a job and keeping up with their education plan. They are living in communities without the same amount of supports that most young adults have, with minimal if any support from families or lifelong connections. On average, a youth exiting state care has 5 people they are connected to while the average American has over 200 people with whom they are connected.
The goal of the Stepping Out Service is to provide regular, consistent contact between youth and an outreach worker who will provide the short-term support necessary to allow the youth to establish him/herself as a successful, productive community member.
The service provides youth with 4-6 hours of in-person outreach services per week, as well as access to all of Rediscovery’s additional wrap-around components. These additional components include: an alternative education program for help with education and career goals including GED tutoring, community college admissions and finances, job readiness skills and job searching; a comprehensive financial literacy program available; a clinical program to provide counseling; Children’s Charter, a mental health agency; and the agency’s Aftercare program.
To be eligible for the service, youth need to be close to or 18 years old and demonstrate some ability to be able to live on their own. They should have some experience handling minor bills, know basic budgeting concepts and have some job experience. Youth stepping down from a state agency placement, such as with DCF, or from a home setting may also apply and be eligible for this support & stabilization service.
