IASN STATEWIDE SERVICES

An average of 450 young people age-out of foster care in Iowa every year. Without intervention, these young adults are at high risk for poor outcomes, including homelessness, unemployment, crime, and poverty. IASN services are designed to help youth successfully transition from foster care to adulthood by providing encouragement, stability, guidance, and the opportunity to a build a positive future.

IASN can help if you are age 18, 19 or 20 and:

• Are Iowa residents between 18 and 21 years old.
• Exit foster care*, Iowa State Training School (STS), or a court-ordered Iowa juvenile detention center at age 18 or older, or between 17 ½ and 18 and have been in any combination of care for at least 6 of the previous 12 months.
• Are adopted from foster care or entered a subsidized guardianship arrangement from
  foster care, on or after their 16th birthday.
  

Aftercare Services. Voluntary, individualized support can help you transition successfully to adulthood. Aftercare participants meet at least twice monthly with an IASN Self-Sufficiency Advocate (SSA). Your Advocate will help you set goals, develop important life skills, connect you with community resources, and strengthen personal relationships.

Extended Aftercare:  Services for youth that are 21 or 22 years of age and had been served by the Aftercare services program prior to the age of 21.  Services include life skills training, periodic check-in, referrals to needed services, and limited payments to youth. Prior to receiving available funds, the youth is required to meet with the advocate and discuss the reason the youth is accessing funds and prior efforts to meet the need. The youth may also be asked to provide documentation of income.

Preparation for Adult Living (PAL). Financial support is available to Aftercare participants who qualify for the Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program. The amount of the monthly PAL stipend is based on your individual income and expenses.

To receive the PAL stipend youth must meet all of the following criteria:

• Left state-paid foster care, STS or court-ordered detention on or after their
  18th birthday.
• Had been in placement at least 6 of the 12 months prior to exiting care.
• Are no longer eligible for voluntary foster care.
• Attend college, job training, or work full-time (at least 80 hours per month).

There are expectations for participants, such as that they agree to meet with the self-sufficiency advocate at least twice a month and that they will take personal responsibility for their transition to adulthood, which means having achievable goals, being honest, and meeting obligations around work or school. All of this will be clearly explained to youth who contact Aftercare, after which the youth can decide if this is the right program for them.    

Pre-Planning Services. Youth who have experienced foster care can begin preparing to enter Aftercare Services several months prior to leaving foster care or any time after aging out. Youth can meet with Advocates to begin building relationships and learn more about Aftercare and PAL programs. Call 800.443.8336 to be referred.

* Foster care includes but is not limited to group care, family foster care, shelters, and relative placement. Call aftercare for verification of eligibility.

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