Transitioning Youth to Adulthood

Texas Network of Youth Services - Transitioning Youth to Adulthood Survey

This survey is optional and anonymous. The information will be used in an attempt to improve the transition of youth out of foster care and advocate for additional funding for this purpose. Please circle all responses that apply and fill in the appropriate blanks.

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* 1. Please indicate your position

DFPS Regional PAL Staff

Child Placing Agency Staff

PAL Life Skills Contractor

Aftercare Contract Staff

Transition Center staff

RTC Staff

Other (please specify)

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* 2. What needs of youth are most challenging to meet as you prepare them to transition out of foster care?

life skills

experiential life skill opportunities

case management

education and career goals

stable housing once they exit care or enter extended care

physical/mental health

Other (please specify)

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* 3. What tools do you need, but are missing, to prepare youth for independence?

time to spend with youth

lower case load

staff

learning materials (if yes, provide specifics in comment box)

change in contract (if yes, provide specifics in comment box)

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Rank the following from 1 (least) to 5 (most) regarding what methods are most effective in teaching youth life skills

class lecture

experiential opportunities

group exercises

conferences

one-on-one case management

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* 5. What are the three most important life skills for a youth to have before they transition out of care?

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* 6. What are the top three experiential opportunities youth should have before they age out of care?

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* 7. What do caregivers need to assist youth in the transition to adulthood? (please indicate the specific kind of caregiver to whom you are referring i.e. kin)

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* 8. Is the current Supervised Independent Living model meeting the needs of youth in extended care? If no, select reasons below:

criteria exclude some youth who would benefit from SIL

reimbursement rates are low

environment needs to be more structured

there needs to be transitional housing provided prior to SIL

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. What assistance do youth aging out of residential treatment centers need to transition successfully?

step-down housing

one-on-one work to learn life skills

group work with other youth in the RTC to learn life skills

group work with youth outside the RTC to learn life skills

Other (please specify)