Nonprofit opens home for youth aging out of foster care

By by: Anna Skog

January 30, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Grand Rapids adoption and foster care program is attempting to make the transition to adulthood easier for teens.

D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s has launched a program called Independent Living Plus, a home on its campus where people who have aged out of the foster care system can reside. It is open to people ages 16-19 who have been referred to the program by a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or agency foster care case worker.

The teens will have access to on-site coaching, therapy, medical and psychiatric support and “full amenities” on the campus, the program wrote in a release. Currently, the program is one home serving eight residents, but DABSJ hopes to expand.

“We have recognized the need for a specialized Independent Living Plus program for a considerable time,” Mary Muliett, DABSJ president and CEO, said. “All too often, these youth risk falling through the cracks. Our program is a beacon of hope, providing a safety net and a circle of support to ensure they survive and thrive as they transition into adulthood. This is more than just a program; it’s a commitment to allowing youth to rewrite their futures.”

DABSJ cited research that shows youth aging out of foster care face increased risks of homelessness, human trafficking and incarceration, which it refers to as the “foster-care-to-prison pipeline.”

“With the ILP program, DABSJ seeks to break the cycles put forth by the system and provide a supportive bridge into adulthood,” DABSJ wrote.

For more information on the program and referrals, visit the DABSJ website.