success beyond 18

 

On May 6, 2013, the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative launched Success Beyond 18, a national campaign to create a better path for young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood. Based upon research and our experience working with young people across the country, Success Beyond 18 guides states in their efforts to extend foster care services beyond age 18, and to do it right—ensuring that young people in foster care are provided every chance for success in work, school, and family life.

  • Policy Goal 1: a Permanent Family

    Connect each young person with a permanent family or committed, caring adult by the time they leave foster care.

    Make it happen

  • Policy Goal 2: Racially equitable services/Supports

    Make sure each young person leaving foster care has racially and ethnically equitable services and supports.

    Make it happen

  • Policy Goal 3: A Stable Education

    Provide a stable education and postsecondary opportunities for young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood.

    Make it happen

  • Policy Goal 4: Opportunities for Economic Success

    Create opportunities for economic success for all young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood.

    Make it happen

  • Policy Goal 5: a place to live

    Provide safe, affordable housing to young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood.

    Make it happen

  • Policy Goal 6: physical and Mental Health Care

    Provide access to physical and mental health care for young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood.

    Make it happen

  • Policy Goal 7: Young People Shape Their Future

    Make sure young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood get to shape their own futures.

    Make it happen

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SUCCESS BEYOND 18 PSA

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Capitol Hill Testimony

Planning Their Own Future

Thanks to an "arc of progress" in federal legislation, says Gary Stangler, we’re now better able to help young people get the opportunities—and responsibilities—they need to plan for success. Hear his testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance.

Watch the Video

A Governor’s Call to Action

Policy Must Improve

"We must improve the way we support teenagers in foster care" through Success Beyond 18, writes Delaware Governor and NGA Chairman Jack Markell in his Huffington Post op-ed.

Read the Op-Ed

When I entered foster care I was hurt, I was angry, I was frustrated and I was quiet. I thought I was the only one going through something. But I learned that caseworkers care, strangers care, and the young people on the youth leadership board—they care about me.

—Jasmine

JIM CASEY YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES INITIATIVE 222 South Central Avenue, St. Louis MO 63105-3509