(Posted 2025 February)
By Tamie Tanner with the Fostering Futures Unit
As youth age out of the foster care system, the federal government requires states to collect information about them. Virginia does this through the NYTD, National Youth Transition Database, surveys, which offer incentives to certain youth selected at ages 17, 19 and 21 to participate.
In Fairfax County, Dwayne* came up on the list of youth that needed to complete a survey at age 21. He had decided not to participate in the Fostering Futures program and had not been in contact with the department since his 18th birthday. Dwayne wanted to “make it on his own.”
The foster care specialist located the last cell phone number on file for Dwayne. Luckily, his number had not changed. Dwayne was skeptical when he was first contacted, afraid it was a scam. He took the name and then contacted his previous foster care specialist to make sure this was a legitimate inquiry.
Dwayne had been homeless and sleeping wherever he could find to keep him warm. He had no place to keep any belongings including his important documents. Dwayne recounted a story of needing to leave work early to get his belongings when a “friend’s wife threw all of his stuff away.”
Dwayne had struggled throughout the past several years and stated that he wished he had taken advantage of the Fostering Futures program while he was eligible. He said that no matter how hard he had worked in the past several years, life kept beating him down. He had found that it was especially difficult to get back and forth to work living in an area without good public transportation.
Dwayne was eager to complete his NYTD survey and get the $100 incentive. He said this money would be a game changer for him as he would be able to buy himself a new pair of shoes.
When meeting with Dwayne to give him the money, the specialist noticed that his shoes were held together with duct tape that had been reapplied several times. Dwayne was incredibly humble and grateful for that assistance.
Dwayne was open to any other help the department could provide moving forward. Due to his homeless status, he was eligible for housing assistance and was able to get a housing voucher. The department used Chaffee funds to help him pay his rent. Project Belong, a community partner, connected Dwayne to McLean Bible Church which helped him to get some basic household items to get started in his new place.
Through Project Belong’s Don’t Go Alone program, Dwayne was able to get himself a mentor that lived close to his new place. The mentor has been able to help Dwayne through the process of signing up for SNAP benefits as well as being a constant support to help him on a regular basis.
Dwayne has a goal of being an electrician and wants to take advantage of the Educational Training Voucher (ETV) funds to help pay for the necessary training. Before he starts that program, Dwayne wants to obtain a driver’s license and a mode of transportation. He is studying for the driving test, and the Fostering Futures program can help him pay for driving lessons as well as assist him with getting his first car.
Dwayne is in a much better place thanks to the support of the foster care specialist and the way she connected him to these services. He remains grateful for the assistance and the chance to improve his life.
*Names changed to protect confidentiality.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
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