NC LINKS
The John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Pro- gram assists young people successfully transitioning into adulthood by reducing barriers and providing financial support, resources, and services. North Carolina LINKS (NC LINKS) services are based on the Federal Chafee Program. Young people ages 14 to 21 are eligible for NC LINKS services if they were in foster care after turning 14. If a young person exits foster care via any permanency plan after the age of 14 (reunification, custody, guardianship, KinGap, adoption, or age out at 18) they are still eligible to receive NC LINKS services until their 21st birthday. If a young person in foster care has a personal reserve of more than $10,000 or if they are undocumented residents they are not eligible for NC LINKS funds.
The goal of the NC LINKS program is for young people who have experienced foster care to achieve the following outcomes:
- Sufficient economic resources to meet their daily needs;
- Safe and stable place to live;
- Academic or vocational/educational goals that are in keeping with the youth’s abilities and interests;
- A sense of connectedness to persons and community; every youth should have a per- sonal support network of at least 5 responsible adults who will remain supportive of the young adult over time;
- Avoidance of illegal/high risk behavior;
- Postpone parenthood until financially established and emotionally mature;
- Access to physical and mental health services, as well as means to pay for those services;
- Ongoing opportunities to engage in age or developmentally appropriate activities.
Transitional funds up to $3,000 per eligible young person per state fiscal year (amounts are based on funding availability)
Transitional funds are available to help youth and young adults age 14, but not yet 21, who are in foster care or were in foster care at the age of 14 or older.
Transitional funds can be used for goods and services that support the accomplishment of the NC LINKS program outcomes including, but not limited to:
- Appropriate attire for work, school, or extra- curricular activities;
- School equipment (including computers);
- Assistance with transportation;
- Expenses related to age or developmentally appropriate activities;
- $500 incentive to youth or young adults who complete high school, GED, 2-year degree, 4-year degree, or a vocational credential;
- Up to $650 to assist youth or young adults with vehicle insurance in accordance with state regulations;
- Up to $1,500 match towards the youth or young adult’s purchase of a vehicle (for the purpose of transportation to school, work, etc.)
NC LINKS Transitional Funds cannot be used for rent, rent deposits, room and board, or down payments on housing.
Housing Funds up to $1,500 per eligible young adult per state fiscal year (amounts are based on funding availability)
These funds are available to young adults who aged out of foster care at 18 but are not yet 21 years of age. This includes young adults in the Foster Care 18 to 21 program. Housing funds must only be used for:
- Rent
- Rent deposits
- Room and board arrangements
- Down payments on housing
Educational Resources
The Foster Care 2 Success (FC2S) website helps North Carolina manage college funding for the ETV and NC Reach stipend for youth in foster care.
Educational Training Voucher (ETV)
The John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 addressed the challenges faced by young people from foster care by designing programs to help them transition to adulthood. Drawing from best practice of FC2S’s work with foster youth, the Education Training Voucher (ETV) Program was designed as a federally funded, state- administered initiative to provide funding and support for post-secondary education in 2002. Eligible students in North Carolina may receive grants of up to $5,000 per year for up to five years or until their 26th birthday. ETV funds can be combined with other grants or scholarships to minimize or eliminate the need for student loans.
NC Reach is a state-funded scholarship offered to qualified applicants for up to 4 years of undergraduate study at North Carolina public universities and community colleges. Students are awarded available funding after all other financial aid, public funds and scholarships have been processed and applied to their account. NC Reach also provides comprehensive student support to help students navigate their post-secondary education.
North Carolina is committed to ensuring every child and youth grows up in a family that can provide them with the love, hope, and stability they deserve.
Additional Resources:
Youth Villages LifeSet Program. This program model is designed to assist young people ages 17 to 22 through their intensive, community- based program that acts as a bridge from foster care to successful adulthood for young people who turn 18 in foster care.
Children’s Home Society of North Carolina’s Strong Able Youth Speaking Out (SaySo) program provides comprehensive and professional training, leadership opportunities, awareness of resources, and life skill activities for transition-age youth and young adults between ages 14 and 24 involved in the NC LINKS program as well as adults serving those young people in local child welfare agencies.
Fostering Health NC is contracted by North Carolina Division of Social Services (NCDSS) to assist with developing resources surrounding health and well-being for children, youth, and young adults in foster care. Additional information is available at Fostering Health NC .
Response by the NC Division of Social Services. Have a question about foster care or adoption you’d like answered in “A Reader Asks”? Contact Us
