…consider becoming a youth mentor or provider!
Teenagers in foster care often need a caring mentor/friend to help them make the transition from foster care to independent living. Mentors work with an assigned teenager to assess their skills and follow a program designed to help each teen prepare for independence. Mentors help with such skills as money management, the search for housing and employment, shopping for groceries and household items, and obtaining community services.
Mentors are asked to communicate regularly with their assigned teens either in person, via phone call, or via text. Mentors may also participate in or help facilitate independent living group meetings with teenagers in foster care.
For more information about becoming a Mentor, please contact Laura Becher, at 608-512-9224, or at Becher.Laura@DaneCounty.gov.
Youth in care aged 17 and older may be eligible to participate in a supervised independent living (SIL) program where they will live on their own in a rented apartment or home setting with assistance from Dane County Department of Human Services.
Each youth in SIL works with their Independent Living Social Worker as well as a community provider to meet their basic living needs, to work on independent living skill development, and to create goals for their future.
Providers are asked to communicate regularly with their assigned youth either in person, via phone call, or via text. Providers are paid by the county and are in charge of dispersing payments from the county to youth for their rent, food, and utilities each week. Providers may also be asked to help youth develop skills such as money management and may assist youth in the search for housing and employment, shopping for groceries and household items, and obtaining community services.
For more information about becoming a Provider, please contact Laura Becher, at 608-512-9224, or at Becher.Laura@DaneCounty.gov.
