Support After Leaving Care at 21: CFSA provides support and resources to youth who age out of care at age 21 for two years (until your twenty-third birthday). You will be assigned a case worker through one of the Healthy Families/Thriving Communities Collaboratives. Please see below the contact information for the individual Collaboratives. You should be connected with the Collaborative office that is located close to where you will live when you exit care. If you have a moderate to severe developmental disability you will receive comprehensive case-management services through the Department of Disability Service (DDS)s. You should meet Collaborative (or DDS) staff and possibly your case worker before you exit care (about 6 months to a year prior). Your case worker will help you to find housing, employment and get into school.  The Collaboratives sometimes require a lot of follow up to get  the services you need. They are supposed to help with the following things:

• Obtaining government benefits such as food stamps (SNAP benefits), applying for subsidized housing programs, or Social Security Benefits.
• Enrolling in parenting classes and obtaining daycare vouchers
• Connecting with other agencies such as the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), Department or Disability Services (DDH), Department of Housing, etc.
• Life skills sessions

Aftercare Transportation Stipend: You are eligible to receive a $100 monthly transportation stipend as long as you are actively participating in the aftercare program. Your Collaborative case work will give you the stipend each month.

Housing Resources: Finding affordable housing is one of the major challenges for youth aging out of care. It is important that you find a safe and secure place to live. If you are not able to remain in your foster home, move in with friends or family, or afford to pay your rent without assistance the following options are available:

• Wayne Place Housing Program (http://dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-opens-transitional-home-young-adults): Housing program located in Southeast DC from youth aging out of care. Space is very limited. Through this program you will be assigned your own apartment (with a roommate) for 18-24 months. You will have a case worker and support team. Wayne Place is run by the Far South East Family Strengthening Collaborative and is a joint effort between CFSA and DBH.

• Genesis Housing Program: This is a housing program located in Northwest DC for youth who age out of care and have children. Parents and children are place in the “intergenerational” apartment complex where they receive support from senior citizens resident. Prior to emancipation, your social worker will assist you with applying for the program. After you age out your Collaborative case worker will provide assistance. The general instructions on how to apply to the program can also be found here. 

• Rapid Housing Assistance: You can receive assistance paying your rent if you meet certain qualifications. You should submit your application as soon as possible and the CFSA director must approve your application. In order to receive Rapid Housing assistance, you must be employed at least part-time (if enrolled in academic or vocational program) or full-time if you are not in school. You can receive up to a year of rental assistance through this program.  Your Collaborative case worker will assist you with applying for this assistance. It is important to remember that after your one-year term expires then you are responsible for paying your entire rent.

• Transitional & Long-Term Supportive Housing Programs: (link to Drop-In & Housing resources link on homelessness page)

 
Healthy Families/Thriving Communities Collaboratives