Preparing Youth for Adulthood
Catholic Guardian Society and Home Bureau’s Youth Development Department employs a multidisciplinary team of specialists which includes experienced Administrators, Youth Development Specialists, and Education Specialists with strong backgrounds; this allows the department to make a comprehensive assessment of each youth. The YDD maintain a strong emphasis on educational progress and vocational readiness, social competence, economic viability, character strengths and limitations, and potential risk factors/behaviors.
The Youth Development Department’s goal is to prepare youth under its care to become physically and emotionally healthy, socially and economically self-reliant as well as educationally and vocationally prepared by the time of their discharge from foster care.
The Youth Development Department promotes positive values to enhance developmental outcomes through Preparing Youth for Adulthood skills trainings for youth’s ages14 – 21. Youths learn the benefit of money management, health and nutrition, community resources, employment (in house summer youth employment program), housing, mentoring and socialization. Skills essential for preparing youths for adulthood effectively, while building competency, promoting responsibility and equipping them for independence.
Youth Development Department ensures that all school age children in care receive an appropriate education by monitoring social and intellectual development. Providing assistance with academic achievement and provide motivation, strategy building, and addressing the needs of each child through supportive services in:
- Tutorial Services Referral
- Special Education Referral
- Vocational Training
- GED Referral
- Pre and Post College Admissions
- Career Development
Youth Development Department offers aftercare services for youth who have aged out of foster care to insure their continued growth and success in the community.