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 Youth are the most important part of the PALS Program.
As a young adult, it is time for you to start
making plans for your future. The PALS Transitional Program is designed to
assist you in making your transition to adulthood a successful one.
So how can
you
get
involved in the PALS Program?
If you are a youth who was dismissed from the
state’s custody after your 18th birthday,
and are struggling with all
the
challenges of living independently, you may be perfect for the PALS Program. You
may contact a PALS Specialist you have worked with in the past or contact
Central Plains Center For Services at 308-872-6176 (collect calls accepted) for
the PALS Specialist nearest you. Allow the PALS
Program to assist
you in getting back on the track to success!
If you are a youth still in
the state’s custody, you should contact your case manager for information on
getting involved in the PALS Program.
 As a
case
manager, you
may be wondering which of the youth on your caseload are eligible and how they
get involved with the PALS Program. PALS serves youth ages 17-21. Referrals
to PALS may be made if:
1. The youth is
living independently and is in need of immediate services.
2. The youth is
within 6 months of transitioning to an independent living situation and is
not working with others on their transition plans (including their foster
parents or family support services)
3. The youth is in
group care or an agency based treatment home and is within 30-60 days of
being placed in an independent living situation. The actual transition work
may be done in partnership. A referral provides the PALS worker with the
opportunity of getting to know the youth and thus making the transition easier
and providing on-going support.
If you decide a youth meets this criteria and
may benefit from the PALS Program, you may refer the youth by completing and
sending a referral to the PALS Specialist in your area. If you have questions
about who or where to send the referral, please contact Central Plains Center
For Services at 308-872-6176.
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