Extended Care/Aftercare

Young people often recognize they need help to succeed in the adult world only after they leave foster care. Extended care provides coaching in the areas of education, employment, health and safety, and establishing lifelong relationships.

Eligibility

Current non-minor dependents and former foster youth, ages 18–21, from San Bernardino County are eligible for services.

Current non-minor dependents are eligible to expand their independent living skills at multiple workshops throughout the month.

Former foster youth, ages 18–21, from San Bernardino County are eligible to receive additional support as they make the transition from a structured foster care system to lives as independent adults.

What We Do

Extended Care Services prepares young adults to live on their own in the community by providing them with life skills coaches and supporting the path to meet their individual needs. Life skills coaches work with the young adults in identifying strengths and areas to build on, then develop a plan to best utilize strengths and improve in areas to achieve their fullest potential.

Life skills coaching provide mentorship, support, and information that covers the following topics:

• Education. Graduating from high school or earning a GED, identifying educational plans and goals, preparing for academic assessments and applying for scholarships and financial aid
• Employment. Exploring employment interests and options, discussing job placement and work readiness skills, providing information regarding job resources, assisting with job applications and resume development, and encouraging participation in vocational training and volunteer programs
• Health and Safety. Assessing youth’s ability to make appropriate lifestyle and preventative health choices, providing referrals to appropriate health and mental health services, securing viable housing, and applying for food stamps and health care coverage
• Permanent Connections. Guiding youth in developing mentoring relationships with appropriate adults, connecting youth to culturally relevant community events and services, and providing recreational events where they can build relationships with other young people with similar experiences

Locations

Walden serves young adults throughout San Bernardino County in:

San Bernardino Office: 255 North D Street, Suite 402, San Bernardino, CA 92401.

Why It Matters

Young people are often eager for independence, but not yet ready to live completely on their own. Extended care provides them with one-on-one coaching and personalized training to further develop the skills they need to succeed as adults living in the community.