Program Overview

 

Building Hope, Building Dreams, Building A Brighter Future!

Not very many 18-year-olds are financially independent—most have a financial safety net as they transition from teenagers to independent adults. But children leaving the child welfare and juvenile justice system aren't as fortunate.

Little Debbie’s transitional and independent living program target female youth age 18 and older who are in out-of-home placement and approaching independence. The programs focus on teaching them critical life skills and preparing them for their next critical steps to adulthood.

Our program provides assistance to help teens who are committed to the department of juvenile justice or in foster care complete a high school diploma or GED, enroll in additional education programs, obtain employment opportunities and increase their social skills and support network through transitional living group activities.

 

Tools and Resources Implemented

• Assessment and implementation of individualized independent living plans
• Individual, group counseling and community support individual
• Case management
• Substance abuse and teen parenting support groups
• Life skills coaching and development training
• Job Placement, College preparation and exploration
• Supportive services for transitional youth with their own children
• Assistance with personal expenses, including a monthly stipend for living expenses

 

How Does it Work?

Youth commune in secure housing with access to 24-hour security and supervision, case management, life coaches and support services. We then motivate young people participating in transitional living to complete life skills benchmarks by offering incentives as rewards.

Little Debbie’s Homes has a proven track record that  in more than 75 percent of our transitional living cases, teens completing the program continue as self-sufficient and productive members of their communities. Each participant qualifies for six months of aftercare support, if appropriate. Generally, a stay of nine to 12 months in the program allows for a youth to complete 75-80 percent or more of the program's goals.

 

Criteria For Candidates

• Shows initiative to earn a high school diploma or GED
• Demonstrates motivation to hold a part-time job
• Succeeded in out-of-home placement or drug treatment program, but has no adult support for living on his or her own
• Demonstrates ability to follow rules and show respect for authority
• Demonstrates the initiative and motivation to make some positive decisions and understands the consequences of choices in life
• A parenting youth (i.e., a teen parent with a child) who displays some of the above characteristics
• A youth who has been on his or her own too long to go back to the structure of a foster home or traditional group home.