MODIFY

MODIFY with CED provides on-going services to youth who are transitioning out of the foster care system. The program also provides technical assistance to the Department of Health and Human Resources, group foster care residential facilities, specialized foster care agencies, youth, foster parents, and the community on independent living services and transitioning services for youth aging out of foster care.

The MODIFY Program has the following purposes:

1. To ensure that children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age are provided education, training, financial support, and other needed transitioning services;
2. To support and serve these former foster care recipients between 18 and 20 years of age to complement their own efforts toward self- sufficiency and to assure that program participants recognize and accept their personal responsibility for preparing to make the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
3. To provide youth who exit foster care at 18 or older with Educational and Training Vouchers for the purpose of attending a post-secondary educational program. The funds may be used to cover the costs of attending college, or vocational training, including all expenses related to a course of study such as computers, special clothing, shoes or boots, books, housing, transportation, and other related educational expenses.

MODIFY is being presented with financial assistance as a grant from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.