Rhode Island Partnership for Family Connections

The Life Skills Program serves youth, sixteen years of age and older, who are living in foster care through the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).  The purpose of the program is to prepare youth for life after their foster care experience.  The Life Skills Program addresses different areas of independent living including:

• Obtaining affordable housing
• Preparing nutritious meals
• Obtaining employment
• Maintaining proper hygiene
• Health
• Educational planning
• Transportation
Interpersonal skills
Anger management and conflict resolution
Legal skills
Emergency and safety skills
Money management
Accessing community resources

The Life Skills Program receives referrals from a variety of sources including case workers at DCYF, other social service providers, foster parents and youth.  The Life Skills Program sponsors an Open House prior to the start of each semester so that youth, foster parents and others may learn more about what the program entails.  Once a youth has been referred to the program, a staff person will contact him/her to set up an appointment in their home.  During that meeting, the staff person will answer any questions that the youth or the family may have about the program.  A Life Skills Assessment will be completed, and transportation arrangements will be coordinated.

Classes meet twice weekly for three and one-half hours for a total of sixteen weeks. During the summer session, classes meet for a total of ten weeks.  Once a youth has completed their Life Skills Program, he/she will participate with their classmates in a graduation ceremony.  The Life Skills Program is funded through the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF).

Download and print a Life Skills Program Referral Form.