“Raise Hope and Foster Dreams”

Did you know… The Michigan Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Act offers 18, 19, and 20 year olds who were in state supervised foster care at the age of 18 or older the option of living in a licensed foster family home, a child care institution, or an approved setting where the individual is living independently, until age 21.

Because these services are provided without court jurisdiction, the Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Program (YAVFC) is considered voluntary. Youth have the option of being eligible through either extending their open foster care case (if they are at least 18, but less than 21 years old), or entering YAVFC after the youth has already exited foster care (after reaching 18 years old, but less than 21). YAVFC eligibility requires one of the following parameters: that youth to be actively completing high school or a program leading to a general equivalency diploma (GED); enrolled at least part-time in a college, university, vocational program, or trade school; employed in at least part-time work or a program that promotes employment (i.e. Job Corps, Michigan Works!) participating at least 80 hours per month; or incapable of the educational or employment activities previously mentioned due to a documented medical condition.

Did you know… Ingham County DHHS has approxi mately 15 youth in YAVFC.

Roughly 800 Michigan youth age out of the foster care system each year. Many of them lose the only adult support they have ever had. The Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Program features extended benefits including training in independent living skills, bus passes, medical assistance, counseling, and case management support. Through YAVFC, youth are able to have the option to live independently in an approved setting until the age of 21. The YAVFC Program offers youth to receive a monthly stipend that helps pay for rent and daily living expenses. Members of the community can make a difference for a YAVFC youth by enhancing a youth’s access to safe, affordable, and stable housing options.

Did you know… Ingham County DHHS is hosting its next Orientation on Tuesday, July 12th from 9am – 12pm and again on Thursday, July 28th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at the Ingham County Human Services Building (Door 3) located at 5303 S Cedar Street, Lansing, Michigan 48911 Can’t make this time? We can schedule an orientation at your home! Just call Christina Redmond, Licensing Specialist, at 517- 775-2693 to schedule a convenient time and see how you can make a difference in the life of a foster youth, no matter what age.

~~Raising hope and fostering dreams, Christina Redmond, Licensing Specialist