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Transition Age Youth Services (TAYS)

TAYS supports young people ages 13-23 as they prepare for the “Road to Independence.” We offer three programs to assist young adults in their transition to adulthood.

1

Extended Foster Care allows youth to continue services until the age of 21 with court oversight, case management, a stipend, and a paid living arrangement, a stipend provided to the approved address where the young adult resides.

2

Post–secondary Education Services and Support (PESS) allows youth to attend a Bright Futures public college or technical program with case management and a stipend. The young adults are allowed to live wherever they choose while attending a Florida-based educational program, up to age 23.  

3

Aftercare is a bridge program designed to help youth overcome barriers to success, such as gaps in employment or applying for college or technical programs. Serving young adults up to age 23 with court oversight, our case managers provide support as individuals are ready, including assistance with obtaining a housing choice voucher or paid living arrangement. This is a three-year program aimed at fostering the independence young adults desire. 

Services

we offer

13-14 years old

  • Life skills assessments, through such tools as the Adolescent Autonomy Checklist, the Daniel Memorial Assessment, and the Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment, which evaluate independence readiness
  • Build rapport with youth

15-18 years old

  • Transition planning
  • Support in obtaining a photo ID, driver’s license (available through the Keys to Independence program until age 21), Social Security card, and birth certificate
  • Court oversight (for Extended Foster Care and Aftercare participants)
  • Case management supervision
  • In-person monthly Life Coach sessions
Youth Lily with OHU Staff
Damon with youth Lily

18-21 years old 

  • Extended Foster Care
  • Tuition waivers
  • Financial stipends

18-23 years old

  • Aftercare
  • Post-secondary Education Services and Support (PESS)

Who is Eligible?

Foster care youth ages 13-23 years residing in our coverage areas.

Coverage area includes the following counties: Polk, Highlands, and Hardee.

Cost
There is no cost to families in this program.

Referrals
One Hope United accepts referrals from the Florida Department of Children and Families at Heartland for Children. 

What our staff say
"One young adult I worked with was so afraid of the college process, even though she had always wanted to go. I walked with her through those doors, helped her get her schedule, and when she finally held it in her hands, she sat in the car and cried—she never imagined college could be part of her life. I cried with her. Moments like that remind me why we must keep doing this work."

Roger Vazquez
Supervisor
Looking for more information?

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