educational attainment

Financial success is based on more than earning a living wage.  Transitioning foster youth must have workforce skills and education if they plan to be successful in sustaining long-term independence.  For all of our youth this means earning their high school diploma or GED.  Without their diploma, former foster youth are 3.5 times more likely to be arrested and 76 percent more likely to be unemployed. First Place provides former foster youth with academic counseling, tutoring and system advocacy to help them achieve this crucial and important goal.

Education beyond the secondary level is also strongly encouraged at First Place, and young people learn from first entry into our programs the important role education plays in their economic stability. Youth receive educational counseling, which includes help in applying for financial aid assistance, class enrollment, money for books and supplies, and ongoing counseling and tutoring.