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 PALS stands for
Preparation for Adult Living Services and is a transitional and independent
living program designed to provide support and guidance to youth 17-21 who are
currently in the state’s custody or who were dismissed from custody after their
18th birthday and are struggling with all the challenges of becoming
independent. There are PALS Specialists located throughout the state working
with youth on becoming self-sufficient adults.
A PALS Specialist will work one-on-one with each
of these youth, ages 17-21, to access their strengths and abilities, as well as
assist the youth in identifying their personal vision for becoming a successful
independent adult. PALS will assist them in their time of transition and
provide on-going support.
PALS is a
way for the youth to take the lead in setting the course of their future.
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Accept referrals
for work with state wards, 17 and older, who are within 6 months of
transitioning from a foster home or birth home to independence and who have
no other available community resource, including the on going support of
their foster family.
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Accept referrals
for work with those state ward youth in group care, agency based
treatment homes, & the YRTC’s who are within 30-60 days of being
placed in an independent living situation. The actual transition work may be
done in partnership. Referral provides PALS worker with the opportunity to
get to know the youth and thus make the transition easier and provide
ongoing support.
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Accept referrals
for youth in out of home care, ages 18 through 20 for transition to or
support with independent living. PALS may accept self- referrals from youth
who are former foster youth but have aged out of HHS's foster care system.
Youth being served in another transitional or independent living service
will not be accepted for PALS independent living services.
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