Support Services for Youth Leaving Foster Care
Recipients of the Plan
This plan benefits youth served in foster care whose foster families cannot provide support for independent living. This means young people, after reaching the age of majority, are at risk of homelessness and other difficulties, compounded by the extended adolescence common in our society. The plan will benefit these groups:
- A) Supervised youth approaching the age of majority (16-17 years): Preparation phase for autonomy and emancipation.
- B) Former wards from the Residential Resources Network (ages 18, 19, and 20) during the three years following their age of majority.
- C) By way of exception, former wards aged 18 from foster care.
Objectives
- Promote preparation for autonomy and independence for young people after age 16.
- Enhance employment and social integration for young people when they reach adulthood.
- Expand the network of resources and support for the integration of young people.
- Coordinate measures with public and private organizations and institutions that benefit young people’s integration in all spheres of life.
- Establish evaluation mechanisms for proper monitoring and evaluation of measures for youth integration.
Action Lines
- Preparation for Independent Living and Empowerment: Includes measures and resources for supervised youth aged 16-17 (approaching the age of majority), implemented gradually in child protection centers.
- Guidance, Support, and External Monitoring: Resources to respond individually to specific needs of young people, not covering basic necessities. Provides channels for guidance, training, employment support, housing assistance, and other resources, developing the role of day centers for integration.
- Intensive Support: Promotes measures for transient and temporary accommodation and support for youth aged 18-20. Establishes a comprehensive process for developing autonomy and independence, enabling access to employment, housing, and other resources, along with follow-up and accompaniment. This involves a set time limit and the voluntary commitment of the young people.
Measures
Actions Before the Age of Majority
- Inclusion in all aspects of the Personal Education Plan (PEI) for maturation, self-development, and responsibility.
- Preparation for adulthood in all aspects, particularly emphasized after age 16.
- Appropriate grouping of youth based on public interest.
- Support from external resources to the Child Protection Center for adulthood preparation, especially regarding vocation, job training, and early work experiences.
- Seeking alternatives for formal training, creating access to training activities, and facilitating first work experiences.
Actions for Former Wards
Benefits will be developed in the following areas:
- Development and personal and social maturation.
- Education and training.
- Financial and material support.
- Access to and maintenance of employment.
- Access to housing and other housing resources.
- Social awareness and advocacy.
- Socio-cultural integration.
- Other measures such as professional training, dissemination and social awareness initiatives, studies, and research.
Disability Certificate Information
What is a Disability Certificate?
This certificate provides official recognition of a disability. Its purpose is to offset the social disadvantages that impairment involves by providing access to various rights and benefits, aiming to equalize opportunities.
How to Apply for a Disability Certificate
- To obtain a certificate, you must apply for an assessment by an Assessment and Orientation Team. This requires completing the application form and submitting it, along with the required documentation, to any designated office of the Ministry for Equality and Social Welfare (refer to their directory).
- Subsequently, a summons will be sent by registered mail to the applicant’s address. This summons requires the applicant to appear in person at the Assessment and Orientation Center where the evaluation will take place.