MODIFY
Mentoring and Oversight for Developing Independence with Former Foster Youth

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The Mentoring and Oversight for Developing Independence with Foster Youth (MODIFY) Program provides ongoing services and resources specifically to meet the education and training needs of eligible former foster youth of West Virginia interested in furthering their education. MODIFY also provides technical assistance to the Department of Human Services, foster care placement facilities, specialized foster care agencies, youth, foster parents and the community on the program and educational benefits available to eligible youth transitioning out of the foster care system.

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#MODIFYSUCCESS

Click on the profile below to learn more about the former foster youth in the MODIFY Program and hear their advice for others:

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  Chase
  High School Student

  

  • Dual enrollment in high school and college courses
  • Pursuing major in academic training
  • Runs Track

  Click on the profile below to learn more about the former foster youth in the MODIFY program and hear their advice for others:

• 

  Danielle
  WVU Student

  

  Major: Mechanical and Aerospace with a BioMed minor

  Goal: To be a foster parent one day

  "I didn't have this big family support when I got out of foster care and they [the MODIFY program] were there. Not just with financial support but also with advice. I got into an accident once and the first person that I called was my MODIFY worker. It's like having a big family to support you."

  Advice: "Don't ever tell yourself that you can't. If you put your mind toward something and actually work toward it, there is nothing you can't do. Everywhere you look there's support around you, you just have to look for it."

  Download Danielle's #MODIFYSUCCESS flier (PDF)

• 

  Edmond
  Fairmont State Student

  

  Attends Fairmont State University
  Football player
  Criminal Justice major
  Best known for optimistic attitude

  "My goals are to become successful, find my career and support my future family."

  Advice: “Take advantage of this and know that you are lucky to be in this position and get this kind of help. Don't blow it away. Stay focused on what you really want and it will all even out perfectly.”

  Download Edmond's #MODIFYSUCCESS flier (PDF)

• 

  Hope
  Pierpont Community College Student

  

  Attends Pierpont Community College

  Major: Baking & Pastry

  "MODIFY has helped me with car repairs, that I was doing all on my own, and money for food."

  "My advice is to ask questions, ask a lot of them!"

  Download Hope's #MODIFYSUCCESS flier (PDF)

• 

  Kellie
  Social Worker

  

  Mother of 2 & Graduate Student

  "I had all that support through my foster care and MODIFY experience that my motivation is to be that support for somebody else."

  Advice: "Keep on. It's tough. The hard part doesn't last forever and if you push through it you'll be successful!"

  Download Kellie's #MODIFYSUCCESS flier (PDF)

• 

  Mary
  Salem International University Student

  

  Attends Salem International University
  Major: Computer Science

  "MODIFY has helped me learn that I have someone there when needed. I won't be alone in things."

  Advice: "Stay in school. Don't drop out. It might be hard at times, but you'll get through it."

  Download Mary's #MODIFYSUCCESS flier (PDF)

• 

  Samantha
  Outpatient Therapist

  

  Obtained Master's degree and is working as an Outpatient Therapist Worked as a MODIFY specialist after graduation

  "The only way that I was able to not quit school and make enough money to survive was by having the MODIFY [funding] supplementing my income."

  "I knew that I wanted to be a social worker because I had a fabulous social worker. She made me want to help people. I wasn't willing to quit college and I wouldn't give up."

  Download Samantha's #MODIFYSUCCESS flier (PDF)

The MODIFY Program has the following purposes:

1. To ensure that youth 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 26 years of age to complement their own efforts toward self- sufficiency and to ensure 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 age 18 or older with Educational and Training Vouchers for the purpose of attending a West Virginia post-secondary educational program. The funds may be used to cover the costs of attending a college, university, or some vocational training, including expenses related to a course of study such as tuition, books, dorm housing, computers, special clothing, transportation assistance and other related educational expenses (limited to up to $5,000 per school year).

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