What Resources to Explore When Aging Out of Foster Care

Every year, over 20,000 young people in the United States age out of foster care without a permanent family.[1] In Illinois, that number sits around 700 to 800 youth annually who turn 21 and must navigate adulthood on their own.

But here’s what the statistics don’t capture: you don’t have to face this transition unprepared. Illinois has built a network of programs specifically designed to support youth in care as they move toward independence. Organizations like Let It Be Us work to connect youth and families with these critical resources. The challenge is knowing what’s available and understanding how to access them before time runs out.

Starting in July 2026, Illinois law will require DCFS to develop individualized transition plans for every youth beginning at age 15.[1] That’s six full years of preparation before you’re expected to be fully independent. Whether you’re 15 and just starting to think about the future, or 20 and feeling the pressure of turning 21, the resources outlined here can help you build a stable foundation.

Understanding the Transition from Foster Care

Aging out doesn’t happen overnight. Illinois allows youth in care to remain in foster care through age 21, which gives you more time than many states provide. But that extended timeline only helps if you use it strategically.

The transition from foster care to independent living involves several major life areas:

• Housing – Where will you live when you’re no longer in a placement?

• Finances – How will you pay for rent and everyday expenses?

• Education – Can you afford college or vocational training?

• Healthcare – Will you still have medical coverage?

• Employment – What job skills do you have, and who will hire you?

• Support network – Who will you call when things get hard?

Each of these areas has dedicated resources in Illinois. The key is connecting with them early, ideally years before you turn 21, so you’re building skills and accessing services while you still have foster care as a safety net.

Your caseworker should be discussing these topics with you regularly. If they’re not, ask. You have the right to know what programs exist and how to qualify for them. The new Illinois law requiring transition plans at age 15 is designed to make sure these conversations start early and happen consistently.

Key Resources for Financial Stability

Financial independence is often the biggest concern for youth aging out. Without a family safety net to fall back on, you need your own income and your own savings.

The Countdown to 21 Program starts engaging youth at age 14 to build independent living skills.[2] This includes financial literacy training, budgeting practice, and preparation for managing your own money.

Employment and Job Training Assistance in Permanency (EJTAIP) helps youth in care find jobs and develop career skills.[4] This isn’t just about getting any job. It’s about finding work that can grow into a career.

The ETV program deserves special attention. It provides up to $5,000 per year for college or vocational training expenses, and it’s specifically for youth who experienced foster care.[4] You can use it for tuition and housing costs, plus books. Combined with free tuition at Illinois public universities for former foster youth, this can make higher education genuinely affordable.

Opening a savings account now, even if you can only deposit small amounts, builds both the habit and the cushion you’ll need. Some programs offer matched savings where every dollar you save gets matched by program funds.

Housing and Independent Living Supports

Housing is where many youth aging out struggle most. Without credit history, rental references, or a family member to co-sign a lease, finding stable housing can feel impossible.

Illinois offers several pathways:

Supervised Independent Living Placements (SILPs) allow you to live in your own apartment while still receiving foster care support.[3] You’re learning to be independent while still having a safety net. This is available to youth ages 18-21 who are still in care.

Youth Housing Assistance Program (YHAP) provides housing support for youth ages 18-21 who are aging out or have recently aged out.[5] This can include help with security deposits, first month’s rent, and ongoing housing subsidies.

Transitional Living Programs (TLPs) offer structured housing with built-in support services.[5] You might live in a group setting or scattered-site apartment with regular check-ins from staff who help you develop independent living skills.

Family Unification Program (FUP) Vouchers are housing vouchers specifically set aside for youth aging out of foster care. These can provide long-term rental assistance, making permanent housing more affordable.

Key eligibility factors:

• Most housing programs serve youth ages 18-24

• You typically need to be in foster care at age 18 or have aged out recently

• Some programs require you to be employed or in school

• Documentation of foster care history is usually required

The application processes can be slow, so start early. If you’re 18 and still in foster care, ask your caseworker about SILPs. If you’re approaching 21, inquire about YHAP and TLP options before your placement ends.

Education and Career Advancement Opportunities

Higher education changes outcomes. Youth in care who complete college or vocational training have significantly better employment and earning prospects than those who don’t.

Illinois makes education more accessible for former foster youth through several programs:

Free Tuition at Illinois Public Universities – Youth who were in foster care can attend Illinois public universities with free tuition. This isn’t a loan. It’s grant funding that doesn’t need to be repaid.

Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) – Up to $5,000 per year for education-related expenses like tuition and housing.

DCFS Scholarship Program – Additional scholarship funding specifically for youth from foster care.

FAFSA Designation – As a former foster youth, you qualify as an independent student on the FAFSA, which typically means higher financial aid awards.

Beyond traditional college, vocational training and certification programs offer faster paths to stable employment. Consider:

• Healthcare certifications (CNA, medical assistant, phlebotomy)

• Skilled trades (HVAC, electrical, or plumbing)

• Technology certifications (IT support, coding bootcamps)

• Commercial driver’s license (CDL)

Many of these programs take months rather than years, and they lead directly to jobs with decent starting wages. Your caseworker can connect you with workforce development programs that offer training at little or no cost.

Whatever path you choose, start the paperwork early. Financial aid applications, scholarship deadlines, and program enrollment all have timelines. Missing a deadline can delay your plans by a full year.

Healthcare and Mental Health Resources

Healthcare coverage is one area where youth aging out have strong protections. Former Foster Care Medicaid provides health insurance through age 26 for anyone who was in foster care at age 18. You don’t need to be low-income. You don’t need to be in school. The coverage is automatic if you were in care.

This matters because young adults often skip medical care when they don’t have insurance. With Former Foster Care Medicaid, you can see doctors, fill prescriptions, and access mental health services without worrying about bills.

Mental health resources are particularly important. Youth in care have often experienced trauma, and the transition to independence can trigger anxiety or depression. Illinois Medicaid covers therapy and psychiatric services.

Resources to know:

• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 for immediate support

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988

• Illinois CASA webinars – Training resources for advocates who support older youth, including mental health guidance[6]

If you had a therapist while in care, ask if you can continue seeing them after you age out. Continuity matters in mental health treatment. If you need to find a new provider, your Medicaid coverage gives you access to a wide network.

Don’t wait until you’re in crisis to establish care. Finding a therapist or counselor while things are stable means you’ll have support already in place when challenges arise.

Creating an Individualized Transition Plan

Under the new Illinois law effective July 2026, every youth in care will have an individualized transition plan starting at age 15. But you don’t have to wait for the law to take effect. You can start building your own plan now.

A strong transition plan covers:

1. Goals – What do you want your life to look like at 21? At 25?

2. Education/Career – What training or education will get you there?

3. Housing – Where will you live and how will you afford it?

4. Financial – How will you support yourself? What benefits are you eligible for?

5. Healthcare – How will you maintain coverage and access services?

6. Support network – Who are your trusted adults and how will you stay connected?

7. Legal – Do you need help with expungement, identity documents, or other legal issues?

The best transition plans aren’t created in one meeting. They evolve over years as you gain experience and your goals become clearer. What matters is starting the conversation and revisiting it regularly.

Your caseworker, CASA volunteer, or other supportive adults can help you create and update your plan.

Chapin Hall research emphasizes that effective transition planning requires flexibility, cross-system collaboration, and trauma-informed practices that recognize the unique needs of each young person.[3] Your plan should be yours, not a one-size-fits-all template.

Community and Family Involvement in the Process

Even after you age out, you don’t have to navigate everything alone. Building a support network now creates connections you can rely on later.

Current foster families – If you have a positive relationship with your foster family, that relationship doesn’t have to end when you turn 21. Many foster families stay connected with youth they’ve cared for, offering ongoing support or even a place to stay during emergencies.

Mentors – Formal mentorship programs match youth in care with adult mentors who provide guidance and support. These relationships can last well beyond the formal program period.

Former foster youth networks – Connecting with others who’ve aged out provides peer support from people who understand your experience. Many advocacy organizations involve former foster youth in leadership roles.

CASA volunteers and advocates – Court Appointed Special Advocates often maintain relationships with youth they’ve supported. Illinois CASA offers training specifically focused on supporting older youth in care.[6]

For those considering permanency beyond aging out, adoption remains an option. Youth in foster care can be adopted at any age, and Let It Be Us operates the Heart Gallery of Illinois, showcasing youth who are waiting for permanent families. Some youth find adoptive families well into their teenage years.

If you’re an adult reading this because you want to support youth aging out of foster care, consider becoming a foster parent. Foster parents who specialize in working with older youth provide crucial stability during the transition years. Let It Be Us provides pre-licensing support to help you understand whether fostering might be right for you.

FAQs

What steps can I take immediately to prepare for aging out?

Start by having an honest conversation with your caseworker about your transition plan. Ask specifically about Independent Living Programs, educational benefits you qualify for, and housing options available in your area. Open a bank account if you don’t have one. Make sure you have copies of your birth certificate, Social Security card, and any other identity documents you’ll need.

How do cultural backgrounds impact available resources?

Illinois recognizes that youth in care come from diverse backgrounds and that effective services must be culturally responsive. Research specifically recommends cultural competency training for staff working with Black youth and other populations who are overrepresented in foster care. If you feel services aren’t meeting your needs or respecting your cultural identity, you have the right to advocate for better support.

Are there specific programs for LGBTQIA+ youth?

Yes. Illinois requires all foster parents to complete LGBTQIA+ affirming care training.[2] Illinois CASA offers specific training on supporting LGBTQIA+ older youth. Illinois Legal Aid Online maintains resources specifically addressing the needs of LGBTQIA+ youth aging out of care. If you’re experiencing discrimination or lack of support related to your identity, these organizations can help connect you with affirming services.

References

[1] Jerrel Floyd / City Bureau. “A West Side Senator Wants to Boost Support for Young People Aging Out of Foster Care.” citybureau.org, 2025-09-22. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2025/9/22/illinois-foster-care-youth-adult-transition-plans

[2] Illinois DCFS. “2025-2029 Illinois Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP) – Training Plan.” dcfs.illinois.gov, 2024-06-30. https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/reports-and-statistics/documents/cfsp-2025-2029-addendum-d.pdf

[3] Chapin Hall at University of Chicago. “Supporting Young People Aging Out of Foster Care through Independent Living Programs and Supervised Independent Living Placements.” chapinhall.org. https://www.chapinhall.org/project/supporting-young-people-aging-out-of-foster-care-through-independent-living-programs-and-supervised-independent-living-placements/

[4] Illinois Legal Aid Online. “Aging out of foster care.” illinoislegalaid.org, 2024-09-13. https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/aging-out-foster-care

[5] Child & Family Services of Illinois. “Housing & Transition Services.” cfsil.org. https://cfsil.org/resources/housing-transition

[6] Illinois CASA. “Older Youth in Care Support Webinars.” illinoiscasa.org. https://illinoiscasa.org/library/resource-catalog/older-youth-in-care-support-webinars.html