Youth in Transit

What will you need to find a job? A career? How often should you see your doctor? Your dentist? How do you budget your money? How do you cook a turkey? It will soon be your responsibility to take care of many things in your life, on your own, or with a little help from your friends at the SYICCN! Let this virtual transition plan be part of your guide as you exit the system. The Youth in Transit App was created in partnership with youth members of the Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network Inc. (SYICCN). The SYICCN is a non-profit organization that provides support, advocacy, and education to youth, aged 14-24, in or from foster care or young offender or custody systems, also known as government care. We found over the years that many of our youth did not have enough transition planning due to many unforeseen circumstances. Our youth members felt the need to share their experiences and expertise to create much-needed resources, like this App, to help other young people transitioning from government care. This digital transition plan is a guide that can help you plan for your future as you leave government care. As a young person in/or from foster care and/or custody, you should have the opportunity and the right to develop a plan before you exit the system to live on your own. Don’t go it alone! We all need a supportive network of people, especially when we are making changes in our lives. It’s a wise idea to include supportive and trusted adults in your transition plan. We call them adult allies, but you can call them whatever you wish. The app is designed to be used by youth, in and or from government care, as they transition out of government systems and into adulthood. You may choose to have an adult ally (e.g., foster parent, social worker, teacher, relative, Elder) assist you in working through any of the 10 modules to better prepare you in your transition. These modules can be started as soon as you feel ready to begin planning to live on your own. We recommend starting your transition plan a few years before you leave the system, anywhere from the ages of 14 year and on. You can use these modules as a guide to help you set your goals and create your transition plan! The 10 modules for you to explore are: Identification Health and Wellbeing Housing and Healthy Living Money Management and Financial Education Education Employment Supports and Healthy Relationships Parenting Youth Justice Life Skills Each module is broken down into 3 specific sections and allows you to: IDENTIFY-What You Have, the Resources You May Need, plus an Education and Awareness checklist to highlight any additional topics and areas you may not have thought of or have questions about. PLAN-SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely), both short term and long-term goals. ASSESS-How Ready You Are for your Future Plans? Our hope is that youth in government care will be better prepared when exiting these systems and to be a part of your transition plan, to build for your future!