The Challenge
Every year approximately 50 teens living in foster care reach adulthood in Manatee, Sarasota and Desoto counties, the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida. At age 18, whether or not they are still in high school, often they must leave their foster homes and strike out on their own, frequently with little or no support system in place. Facing complex issues like locating safe, affordable housing, navigating public transportation and finding sufficient training and employment, 18-year-olds are unprepared and ill-equipped for the transition to independent living and decision making.  As a result, these young people often wind up unemployed, pregnant, incarcerated, addicted or homeless, perpetuating the very life from which they were removed. Many teens who have aged out of foster care do not even graduate from high school, and only about 1% attend college.  It is estimated that 10% of the homeless in Florida are former foster children.

Our program can change the statistics.

Next Step Mission Statement
To bring professionals together, acting collaboratively to provide individualized, tangible connections to community resources, information and advice designed to encourage and assist former foster care youth in achieving self-sufficiency.

Mentors
Next Step is an all volunteer organization established to create a safety net for aging out foster care youth by providing them with a collaborative trio of mentors from the fields of mental health, law, finance, education, business and community. To help the teen develop a sound life plan, the partnership begins in the year before the foster teen becomes an adult and continues for another year into adulthood.      

The Kids-Aging-Out Network (KAO Network)
Next Step has also created an ongoing resource list, called the Kids Aging Out Network, which includes people in the community who are willing to help the transitioning youth by donating goods or services. Whether it is a moving company donating furniture, a business that can offer a job, or a store providing clothing, Next Step connects them to local foster teens in need. 

Evolution
Next Step began as a permanent committee of the Family Court Professional Collaborative (FCPC). In 2009, the program was adopted by the 501(c)(3) Children’s Guardian Fund. Next Step is a Twelfth Judicial Circuit Family Law Advisory Group (FLAG) partner and is supported by members of the community who volunteer their time as mentors, trainers and advisors. The local juvenile court judges reinforce teen involvement in the program by setting additional review hearings as needed to further motivate and encourage the Next Step mentees.

Contact Us
If you would like to become a volunteer, the mentor application form can be downloaded here. If you have questions about Next Step, call Magistrate Susan Maulucci at 941-749-3648 or Judith Watson at 861-4841 or email NextStepMentors@gmail.com. 

Contribute
Tax deductible contributions can be made to Next Step made payable to the Children’s Guardian Fund. Next Step should be listed on the memo line of the check and mailed to the Children’s Guardian Fund, PO Box 49722, Sarasota, FL 34230.