YESS Aftercare Program
The YESS Aftercare Program is a part of the Consolidated Youth Services work at RI Foster Parents Association and is managed by the RI Council of Resource Providers.
YESS stands for Young adults Establishing Self-Sufficiency and is a voluntary program that provides services and supports that are individually tailored to meet the needs of the young adult. Young adults are assisted in identifying and utilizing applicable community-based resources with the goal of having each young adult ready to live independently before or by their 21st birthday.
Who is Eligible?
Youth/Young adults ages 18-21 who have been closed to the Court and DCYF and for whom the Department has determined there are no other viable permanency options for the youth.
What are the Direct Benefits to Youth?
The young adults are provided limited management supports (6-8 hours per month), as well as assistance with establishing a budget and a Self-Sufficiency plan. Self-Sufficiency staff will help youth locate safe and affordable housing, assist the individual in how to identify a good employment match, and help them enroll in school and the Higher Education Program.
Youth may be provided housing expenses which is based on individual identified housing expense costs and is paid directly to them. With minimal exceptions, youth are expected to have a roommate. It is the expectation that as the young adults progress in skills and age they will become increasingly responsible for their housing expenses.
What are the Program Requirements?
The YESS model requires participants to:
·Secure housing that is safe and affordable, with roommates;
·Attend school and/or maintain employment based on Self-Sufficiency contract;
·Meet regularly with YESS Self-Sufficiency (and/or partner agency) staff;
·Establish a personal budget, inclusive of a savings plan.
·Be responsible for making certain that their rents and living expense payments remain current.
What is the Referral/Application Process?
While a DCYF social case worker may assist with the application development and processing, it is the expectation that applying young adult directs the process, since they will be the major contributor in identifying required needs & services. The application process should begin 6 months prior to the youth’s 18th birthday.
Within 2 weeks of receiving the completed application, the application will be screened for admission and both the young adult and the DCYF social case worker will be contacted and invited to meet to discuss model guidelines, expectations and focus on the youth’s specific needs. This meeting will be scheduled in accordance with the availability of all parties involved, optimally within 1-2 weeks of program acceptance.
Applicants/participants are required to be involved in the development of their self-sufficiency plan, which summarizes the youth’s strengths and challenges - and emphasizes the living skills that the participant will develop/refine as they prepare for a gradual transition to independence. A member of the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) legal team as well as any person the youth identifies and requests to be part of their ‘self-sufficiency team’ may be invited to all planning and self sufficiency contract signing meetings.
It can be anticipated that youth participants will officially enter the YESS Program upon their case closing to Family Court & DCYF and after their 18th birthday (in order to maintain health care entitlements).
Key Consolidated Youth Services Program Staff:
Jessica Nievera
Chafee Youth Services Coordinator
401-431-0555 ext. 204
jezz11@msn.com
Olabisi Davies
YESS Aftercare Team Leader
401-431-0555 ext. 203
MissLabisi@gmail.com
