Supervised Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Philosophy The transition from living in a group residential setting to living independently in the community is critical to all youth leaving group foster care. To facilitate obtaining employment, acquiring life skills, managing health manners and generally establishing themselves as responsible young adults; the youth will have to master each of these four components addressed in the program. Admission Criteria

1. The student must be 16 years of age, but not more than 20.
   
   
2. The student must be a rising junior in high school, working to obtain a GED or, possibly, begining college courses.
   
   
3. The student must be mature and have the intellectual capacity for independent living.
   
   
4. The student must have the desire to participate in the program and abide by the rules. The student must have the motivation to gain the skills and knowledge needed to cope independently.
   
   
5. Students that seek admission must be referred by their team to the Admissions Committee.
   
   
6. The Admissions Committee will hold an admissions interview to determine the appropriate program services for students who do not meet specific criteria guidelines.

Services Offered:
Preparation for Adult Living: vocational training, life skills instruction, academic counseling through the on-campus charter school, crisis intervention, community networking, mentoring, individual and group counseling, and case management.

Description:
Daily groups teach the initial and more advanced independent living and life skills. Residents are provided with group and individual therapy sessions. In this program residents share a cottage with seven other residents. Twenty-four hour supervision is provided. Each resident pays rent which will be returned after completion of the program. This requirement will prepare them for the next phase of living independently.

Through daily classes, residents are provided instruction in money management, vocational skills for seeking and maintaining employment in the community and on-campus, life skills, meal planning, using public transportation and accessing community resources. In addition, all residents will be required to participate in an in-service project and to attend guest speaker presentations.