Services and Supports After Age 18

If you are interested in any of these programs, speak to your DCYF worker or contact the nearest DCYF District Office and ask to speak to the Adolescent Worker or Permanency JPPO.

HOPE (Housing and Opportunities to Personally Excel) Program

Young adults who were in the legal custody of NH DHHS upon attaining the age of 18 have the option of voluntarily requesting to remain in DCYF foster care until the age of 21. This includes young adults that previously declined this option at the time of their 18th birthday or started the program and discontinued participation.

Read the HOPE Program Brochure to learn more. 

Participants must sign a Voluntary Placement Agreement (VPA) and meet the additional requirements contained in the VPA. 

Anyone interested in applying for the HOPE Program should contact the nearest DCYF District Office and ask to speak to the Adolescent Worker or Permanency JPPO.

LifeSet: The Bridge to Successful Adulthood

This service is available to  DCYF involved youth and young adults between 17.5 and 23 years of age as they navigate adult challenges on the way to becoming independent adults. Visit their website:  www.youthvillages.org/services/lifeset/  or read the LifeSet Brochure.

Aftercare Services

A voluntary program that assists eligible young adults formerly in DCYF out of home care in their pursuit of education, employment, housing and well-being goals.

Aftercare Services Brochure

Aftercare Services, including limited financial assistance and the support of a DCYF Worker are available to eligible young adults who have left DCYF out of home care.   

You are eligible if:

• You are between the ages of 18-23 (up to 26 if attending an accredited college or career training school of at least one year in duration) with a previously open DCYF Child Protective or Juvenile Justice Services’ case and you exited DCYF foster, relative, shelter, group or residential care or secure detention* on or after your 18th birthday.
• You are between the ages of 18-23 (up to 26 if attending an accredited college or career training school of at least one year in duration) and you exited DCYF Child Protective or Juvenile Justice Services’ foster, relative, shelter, group or residential care or secure detention* for guardianship or adoption after your 16th birthday.

*(If you exited from secure detention you must have also previously resided in DCYF foster, relative, shelter, group, or residential care at some point on or after your 14th birthday.)

Financial Assistance 

Young adults receiving Aftercare Services are eligible for one or both of two federal funds based on exit status, availability and personal need. These programs are funded by the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. Youth receiving Aftercare Services can also apply for a housing voucher.

Funding is designed to complement the young adult's own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency.

• Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Funds
  If you are looking to attend an accredited college or a career training program of at least one year in duration you can access Education and Training Voucher (ETV) funds.

  ETV funds can be used for "cost of attendance items" such as tuition and fees, room and board, books and child care expenses.  Also see Paying for College.

• Chafee Funds
  Funding from this program can be used toward basic needs such as housing, food, medical and car insurance, car expenses, etc.  These funds are available to young adults under the age of 23 who are also qualified for aftercare services.