Ready By 21

Preparing youth for adulthood is a critical priority of the Department of Human Services (DHS). Unfortunately, the majority of these youth will likely remain in care until they age out of the system when they reach 21 years of age. Researchers from across the nation have begun to quantify outcomes for youth transitioning from foster care. This suggests that former foster youth are not as stable as their peers in independently managing their mental and physical health and in finding and maintaining employment, education, and housing. These youth may find themselves in low wage jobs or unemployed, struggling with mental health and substance abuse problems, or spending time in the corrections or homeless systems.

To ensure that youth are provided with the opportunity to achieve these outcomes, the Department must marshal and refocus its own financial and human resources and actively engage stakeholders and partners in both the public and private sectors. As we undertake these efforts, the Department must reach out to other community-based organizations that work with youth, to take advantage of their expertise and link our youth to needed services and supports. Other government agencies, both local and State, will also be critical partners in these efforts. Working together, we will create a system that is attuned to the individual needs of those in care, and effectively prepare them for successful adulthood.

The Department of Human Services is working collaboratively with stakeholders to secure the following in an effort to ensure that youth are as prepared as possible for independent living by the time they reach age 21 or Ready by 21 (RB21):

Education & Employment

All youth have individualized, strengths-based transition plans that are based on trauma-responsive assessments that are developed and continually monitored and adapted in collaboration with the youth, LDSS foster care worker, and youth’s team. The benchmarks are universal, minimum expectations for all youth ages 14 to their 21st birthday, who are involved with the foster care system. These benchmarks should be utilized to develop and monitor youth transition plans. Related indicators will be used to measure attainment at the individual and aggregate levels. Skills, knowledge, and plans will be assessed in accordance with the youth’s developmental ability. Youth should have regular opportunities for age- and developmentally appropriate, normative experiences across all of the Ready by 21 domains.

Financial Empowerment

All youth have individualized, strengths-based transition plans that are based on trauma-responsive assessments that are developed and continually monitored and adapted in collaboration with the youth, LDSS foster care worker, and youth’s team. The benchmarks are universal, minimum expectations for all youth ages 14 to their 21st birthday, who are involved with the foster care system. These benchmarks should be utilized to develop and monitor youth transition plans. Related indicators will be used to measure attainment at the individual and aggregate levels. Skills, knowledge, and plans will be assessed in accordance with the youth’s developmental ability. Youth should have regular opportunities for age- and developmentally appropriate, normative experiences across all of the Ready by 21 domains.

Permanent & Supportive Connections

All youth have individualized, strengths-based transition plans that are based on trauma-responsive assessments that are developed and continually monitored and adapted in collaboration with the youth, LDSS foster care worker, and youth’s team. The benchmarks are universal, minimum expectations for all youth ages 14 to their 21st birthday, who are involved with the foster care system. These benchmarks should be utilized to develop and monitor youth transition plans. Related indicators will be used to measure attainment at the individual and aggregate levels. Skills, knowledge, and plans will be assessed in accordance with the youth’s developmental ability. Youth should have regular opportunities for age- and developmentally appropriate, normative experiences across all of the Ready by 21 domains.

Safe & Stable Housing

All youth have individualized, strengths-based transition plans that are based on trauma-responsive assessments that are developed and continually monitored and adapted in collaboration with the youth, LDSS foster care worker, and youth’s team. The benchmarks are universal, minimum expectations for all youth ages 14 to their 21st birthday, who are involved with the foster care system. These benchmarks should be utilized to develop and monitor youth transition plans. Related indicators will be used to measure attainment at the individual and aggregate levels. Skills, knowledge, and plans will be assessed in accordance with the youth’s developmental ability. Youth should have regular opportunities for age- and developmentally appropriate, normative experiences across all of the Ready by 21 domains.

Well-Being & Civic Engagement

All youth have individualized, strengths-based transition plans that are based on trauma-responsive assessments that are developed and continually monitored and adapted in collaboration with the youth, LDSS foster care worker, and youth’s team. The benchmarks are universal, minimum expectations for all youth ages 14 to their 21st birthday, who are involved with the foster care system. These benchmarks should be utilized to develop and monitor youth transition plans. Related indicators will be used to measure attainment at the individual and aggregate levels. Skills, knowledge, and plans will be assessed in accordance with the youth’s developmental ability. Youth should have regular opportunities for age- and developmentally appropriate, normative experiences across all the Ready by 21 domains.

Additional Resources

MyLife Website- https://mylife.maryland.gov/
DHS Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/MDHumanServices
DHS Twitter- https://twitter.com/MDHumanServices