While the current overall employment landscape has recently improved, employment opportunities for youth and young adults transitioning from foster care remains a challenge. In response, the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) partnered with the University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s Training Resource Center to implement its Fostering Success program.
Fostering Success is a 10-week workforce development initiative sponsored by the Department for Community Based Services that provides current and former foster youth the opportunity to participate in a paid internship, while receiving professional development and career planning support. The goal of the program is to provide participants an opportunity to develop the skills necessary to excel in the emerging workforce. Participants are between the ages of 18 to 23 with at least a high school diploma. The initiative includes:
- A 10-week paid internship subsidized by the Department for Community Based Services
- Weekly one-on-one sessions with a Job Coach
- Professional Development and Career Planning workshops
- The opportunity for high-performing participants to extend their participation until December 31 of the participating year.
Participants are matched with worksites based upon their skill set and career interests. Participants have the opportunity to be placed at their local Family Support or Child Welfare Office. The program also partners with over 100 private and public businesses across the Commonwealth who act as worksite providers. This partnership allows local businesses the opportunity to add valuable manpower to their workforce while assisting participants in developing marketable skills.
Questions? Contact Linda Smith at linda.smith@uky.edu.