What is a Transition Plan? 

A transition plan is a guide that can help you plan for your future as you leave government care. As a young person in/ or from foster care and/or custody, you should have the opportunity and the right to develop a plan before you exit the government system to live on your own. Our transition plan focuses on 10 key areas that our youth members felt were important to have knowledge about and direction in. We hope that by going through each module, you can develop your personal plan and find your own answers to questions that you may have when planning to move out on your own. 

• Where will you live after care or custody? 
• How do I find a job? A career? 
• Do I want to further my education? 
• What identification do you need when you leave care? 
• How often should you see your doctor? 
• How will you budget your money to make ends meet? 

It will soon be your responsibility to take care of many things in your life, on your own, or with a little help from your friends at SYICCN. Having all the knowledge you possibly can will help prepare you for your transition to living on your own! 

When Should I Start Planning? 

The SYICCN believes that youth from government care should have the opportunity to start building for their future as early as possible. There are many activities, which are age appropriate, that can begin at any stage to help nurture a solid foundation — learning how to cook, cleaning your room, other household chores, allowance and budgeting, how to vote, and so on. 

These modules can be started as soon as you feel ready to begin planning for living on your own. We recommend starting your transition plan a few years before you leave the system, anywhere from the ages of 14 years and on. You can use these modules as a guide to help you set your goals and create your transition plan! 

Further, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services policy states that preparing youth for independence should begin gradually, as soon as the child or youth is old enough to learn, and more actively when a youth reaches the age of 15 years. Your caregivers are responsible to ensure that you are well prepared to transition from the system. 

However, the SYICCN has found over the years that many of our youth did not have enough transition planning, due to many unforeseen circumstances. It is your right to know what is available to you and also your responsibility to be a part of your transition plan, to build for your future. 

How and Why This Guide Was Created 

The Youth in Transit guide was created in partnership with youth members of the SYICCN who came together from all across the province of Saskatchewan. Youth members felt the need to share their experiences and expertise in order to create resources, like this app, that would help other young people transitioning from government care. In this app you will find 10 modules that will help guide you in creating a transition plan by setting your goals, finding resources, and evaluating your strengths for living on your own. The 10 modules for you to explore are: 

• Identification
  
• Health and Wellbeing
  
• Housing and Healthy Living
  
• Money Management and Financial Education
  
• Education
  
• Employment
  
• Supports and Healthy Relationships
  
• Parenting
  
• Youth Justice
  
• Life Skills
  

There are many tools and tips contained in each module that you will want to check out. 

Who Should I Include in My Plan? 

Don’t go it alone! We all need a supportive network of people, especially when we are making changes in our lives. It’s a wise idea to include supportive and trusted adults in your transition plan. We call them adult allies, but you can call them whatever you wish. Adults that you feel comfortable with, can rely on, are knowledgeable, and helpful can be your best assets for information and learning as you create your transition plan. They are also people that will be there with you through the good times and the bad times and can offer their advice when you need direction. Some people that you may want to include in your plan may be:

• A teacher, coach, or school counsellor 
• A foster parent, guardian, or relative 
• An Elder in your community 
• A social worker 
• Group home staff 
• The parent of a friend 
• A member of your religious or spiritual community 
• An employer 

Disclaimer 

This app is not intended to offer any legal advice and is provided solely as an informational resource. Information presented in this manual may have changed, since publication. This app is for informational purposes only, and to be used as a framework for planning. The Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network is not liable for any incurrences that may occur as a result of reliance on this manual. It is the user’s responsibility to confirm the information and resources they choose to use.