The Bridge to Independenceprogram was initiated by Senator Amanda McGill in 2013 and is set to begin October 20th.
Thomas Pristow, Director of Children and Family Services in the Department of Health and Human Services, says the bill was passed so CFS could provide services to those youth who had aged out of the foster care system.
Pristow says though CFS had a former ward program that helped youth in these circumstances, the primary focus was on educational opportunities.
Bridge to Independence provides youth with an independence counselor, case oversight and monetary assistance.
"They get a stipend up to $760 a month which they can apply towards education, transportation, and housing, medical or mental health services. This whole process is designed to give them a leg up so they can get these types of services, be successful in our community and be healthy.”
Pristow says there are several ways to qualify for the program. Youth are eligible if they have finished high school or have a GED, work part-time at least 20 hours a week or are enrolled in college part-time.