Emancipation
Mission
To provide the highest quality of services, counseling and life skills instruction to every young adult aging out of foster care; and to successfully transition each young adult from the care of Children Services to a state of productive independence.
Orientation, Assessment and Case Planning
All youth 16 and older under the custody of Franklin County Children Services are eligible for assessment services. Each youth is assigned an emancipation counselor and participates in an assessment and planning experience to set their independent living plan in motion.
Transitional Living
Transitional Living is a generally-supervised living arrangement for youth 17 years and older. During the day, youth should be attending school, studying for G.E.D. or working. Staff monitor the activities of the youth and provide Independent Living counseling, support groups, daily living skill development, household management, and job and educational assistance. Full-time staff is on duty 24 hours per day.
Independent Living
If the goal is Independent Living, staff assists youth in establishing themselves in the community and the neighborhood most suited to their roots, preferences and income level. Even at this stage of independence, staff will continue to check on the youth weekly (as they establish themselves, contacts may be reduced) and provide case management services as needed.
Independent Living Services include:
- Tutoring Assistance
- Senior High School Fees Assistance
- College Tours
- Apartment Application Assistance
- Rent and Utility Assistance
- Furniture and Housewares
- Groceries
- Bus Passes and Transportation
- Pre ACT or SAT Assistance
- ACT or SAT Fees Assistance
- College/ University/ Vocational School Application Assistance
- College/ University/ Vocational School Dorm Setup
- Resource Guide
- Aftercare - a time-limited service for youth that have exited the system
Life Skills Training
All Children Services youth 16 and older are eligible to participate in this 10-week training program. Life Skills Training is designed to provide youth with the necessary skills for independent living. Topics include: budgeting, money managing and shopping, job readiness and much more. Community youth can participate if classes are not filled.
College Bound Youth
Support also is available for those youth who decide to pursue college. They can be linked to financial resources to pursue college or vocational training. The agency also has a special mentoring program for college-bound youth. Matching young college students with adults can help smooth the path to college and keep them encouraged to complete their education. Ongoing connections like these are vital and beneficial to these young people who are striving to make it on their own.