The Bridge Program
The Bridge Program assists young people who have aged out of foster care to create a vision for their futures and empowers them to achieve self-identified goals to make that vision a reality.
The Need: Investment in Support Services
In Michigan, there is a critical need for an investment in support services for young people aging out of foster care. Children enter the foster care system through no fault of their own, but due to the abuse or neglect of their parents or guardians. Children are removed from their homes based on the implicit promise that they will be better cared for by the State, but those that languish in the system until the age of 18 are often worse off than when they entered.
A Population in Crisis
Youth with Experience in Foster Care in Michigan
48%
Experience unemployment by age 21
These figures represent Michigan's population of young people last year.
575
young people aged out of foster care in Michigan last year.
31%
of the population in Michigan are black and brown children.
55%
of the population of children aging out of foster care without families are black & brown.
194
of those that aged out of
foster care last year, resided in Metro Detroit.
DHHS and other stakeholders readily acknowledge that there is a gap inthe system and this population is not supported by current programming.
The statistics reveal a critical and disproportionate impact on minority communities and urban areas:
Our Approach: Innovative Services
The New Foster Care envisions a future where every young person with experience in foster care can transition to adulthood with dignity, purpose and hope for a brighter future.
Our Bridge Program utilizes an evidence supported model to help young people residing in Metro Detroit who age out of foster care to create a vision for their futures, develop and achieve self-identified goals to make their visions a reality, and address issues hindering their progress in life.
Participants receive wraparound support from a multi-disciplinary team including a Transition Navigator, Peer Support Specialist, Personal Wellness Clinician, and Attorney. Our Bridge programming focuses on success in five life domains: Employment and Career, Education, Housing, Ties to the Community, and Mental and Physical Health.
Target Population
Young people ages 14 - 29 in foster care, who have aged out of foster care, or who have experienced failed permanency plans.
Service Period
2 to 8 years
Service Locations
Individuals residing in Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County
The Opportunity: Intervention for a Life of Productivity
For every young person who ages out of foster care, taxpayers and communities pay
$300,000 in social costs.ⁱ
That’s over $172 million just for the young people who aged out in 2023. That amount does not include the thousands who have aged out in years prior or the thousands that will continue to suffer the same fate if this critical infrastructure need is not met. Intervention at this stage in the life of a foster care alumni can lead to a life of productivity and contribution to society rather than a life that serves as a drain on societal resources.
ⁱCC-CostAvoidance-2009.pdf (aecf.org)
Access to Services
The Bridge
The Bridge website (coming soon) serves as comprehensive tool that supports a community team and provides a centralized location where participants can access all necessary resources related to services and the program.
Together We Can Do Better
We strive to bring people and organizations together to create a circle of support for young people as they transition out of foster care into a successful future. At the community level, TNFC collaborates with child welfare providers, community mental health, community faith-based organizations, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, local school districts, and the Foster Success Michigan network. Youth with experience in the foster care system, along with alumni, have access to these organizations.