Casey Foundation Development of Alumni House Manual
A Partners in Care
Instiute for Change/Research Center Consultation
Pasadena, Casey Family Programs along with 20 other local organizations launched a collaborative partnership called the Transition Partners. The Transitions Partnership in Pasadena is a community-based multi-agency, multi-sector collaborative with a mission to "Create a full and comprehensive continuum of preparation and support for all 18-23 years olds transitioning from foster care in the Pasadena/Altadena area." Three primary goals were identified by the Transition Partners: (1) to develop transition services for youth emancipating from foster care, (2) increase available housing for youth transitioning from foster care, and (3) to improve pre-emancipation services. Together, the Transition Partners recently completed its first successful collaboration with the opening of a Transition Support Center to serve pre and post emancipated foster youth. This year-long effort brought together policy makers, agencies, educators, foundations, businesses and youth to help improve private and public services and enhance resources for foster children and prepare them for a successful transition to adulthood. The most unique aspect of this partnership is that former foster youth helped plan, organize, and design this new, integrated program.
The Pasadena Alumni Support Center (PASC), named by local former foster youth, provides a variety of transition support and services in a comfortable, casual environment. The Center operates out of a house located in a residential area and offers case management, Medicaid eligibility, transportation assistance, peer counseling and mentoring, educational and employment information, on-site Independent Living Program (ILP) worker from DCFS, computer training, linkages to food, housing, medical and dental care, mental health services, legal services, advocacy and other community services. In addition, the PASC operates as a drop-in center for youth and also offers social and leisure activities.
Partners in Care Foundation collaborated with Casey, PASC service providers, staff and foster youth to develop a manual to provide a framework for the development of a collaboration of community-based service providers and a transition program based on the successful implementation of similar activities in Pasadena. The intent was not to replicate what was done in Pasadena, but to allow others to adapt the processes for their local community. This manual is intended to serve as a model to guide other communities, providing a blueprint of the necessary elements and tools to be considered in forming partnerships and developing transition programs. Communities that use the manual are urged to adapt useful elements to their needs and disregard those aspects that will not support their local collaborative effort.
