Step Up

Program for youth transitioning out of Nevada foster care to self-sufficiency.

Step Up, operated by Clark County Social Service, is a Young Adult Program for youth who have “aged out” of foster care in Nevada. To qualify, youth need to have attained the age of 18 years old while a child in foster care in Nevada. This means they “aged out” of foster care (i.e. they were not adopted or reunified with family by the time they reached 18 years old). The Funds to Assist Former Foster Youth (FAFFY) and Voluntary Court Jurisdiction (VOL JUR) laws make up the Step Up Young Adult Program. Our goal is to assist young adults in making the transition from foster care to economic self-sufficiency.

FAFFY is funded by the State of Nevada under Nevada Revised Statute 432.017 “Account to Assist Persons Formerly in Foster Care”. Eligible young adults may enroll in the FAFFY program anytime between the ages of 18 and 21.

The VOL JUR program is funded by the State of Nevada under Nevada Revised Statute 432B.591-595 “Voluntary Court Jurisdiction”. Eligible young adults may enroll in this program between the ages of 18 and 21, but must enroll during the period they exit from foster care.

We offer various forms of financial assistance (and referrals to our network of community partners) to assist young adults including housing assistance, educational assistance, employment assistance, transportation, resources, and case management. This includes funds for rental assistance, help with move-in fees and deposits, move-in kits (kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.), graduation incentive, monthly 30 day bus passes, and other resources.

Young adults participating in the program will be paired with a qualified case manager who will assist them in their journey to become self-sufficient. Together, they will work on individualized case plan goals and the young adult will have access to someone who will be their advocate and help guide them.

Our drop-in center opened September 2015 and is centrally located in Las Vegas (near Charleston/Rancho) and is close to a main bus route. The center features an open kitchen with snacks, several resource cabinets (hygiene, school supply, parenting resources), information boards (medical, education, employment, legal, events, etc.), and computers with internet access that are open for the young adults to use. The center is designed to support the needs of the “aged-out” former foster youth that the Step Up program serves.

Contact:

If you would like more information on the Step Up program please contact us at:

(702) 455-0468

Monday-Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Main Resources:

Clark County, NV

Division of Family Services

Division of Welfare

Nevada 2-1-1

State of Nevada Independent Living (IL) Programs

Housing Resources:

Affordable Housing Information (Apartment Guide)