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Chafee Foster Care Program

John H. Chafee Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (“Chafee”)

I Pour Life’s Chafee Program provides relationship-based coaching and practical life skill support for eligible youth in the northeast and southeast regions of Missouri as they transition toward stability and independence. 

What is the Chafee Program?
The Chafee Program is for current and former foster care youth who want to become successful, healthy, independent adults. I Pour Life helps these youth achieve the best possible version of themselves as they become independent persons (grown up; adults). Whatever their dreams and goals are, Tumbleweed will be there to help them on their path to success.
Am I eligible for the Chafee Program?
Are you between the ages of 14 and 21 and have or are currently in the Missouri foster care system? Were you adopted, or awarded guardianship after age 16, or released from care after age 18? Do you reside in the northeast or southeast part of Missouri? Do you want to become the best version of yourself? If the answer to any of these questions is, yes, you may be eligible for I Pour Life's Chafee Program. Contact your Case Worker today to be referred.
What is an Independent Living Specialist?
An Independent Living Specialist (ILS) is a dedicated mentor and advocate who partners with older foster youth to navigate the complexities of transitioning into adulthood. They provide personalized coaching to help youth master critical life skills—such as budgeting, securing housing, and finding employment—while building the confidence and social capital necessary for long-term stability. By offering both emotional support and practical resources, an ILS ensures that youth in the Chafee Program do not have to face the challenges of independence alone.
Who is in charge of setting goals?
In short, you are! Through the guidance of an Independent Living Specialist, you are the primary architect of your own transition plan, shifting from a passive participant to the lead decision-maker. Your specialist serves as a consultant who helps you identify personal priorities—whether that is buying a car, enrolling in college, or finding an apartment—and then maps out the specific steps and resources needed to achieve them. By leveraging the specialist's expertise to navigate Chafee Program requirements, you ensure that every goal set is one that truly reflects your vision for a successful, independent life.
How will I achieve my goals?
To achieve your goals, you will utilize the Independence Project curriculum, a structured framework designed to transform your personal vision into a concrete action plan. Through this curriculum, your Independent Living Specialist helps you break down large ambitions—like career placement or stable housing—into manageable "milestones" that you practice and master in real-world settings. By consistently applying these guided techniques, you build the self-efficacy and habits necessary to sustain your independence long after you have completed the Chafee Program.
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What will I gain from Chafee?
I Pour Life's Chafee Program provides a vital safety net for youth at risk of aging out by offering the financial resources and professional mentorship needed to prevent homelessness and unemployment. By focusing on the "Practice" and "Progress" phases of the Independence Project, the program ensures that youth don't just survive the transition to adulthood but enter it with a sustainable plan for housing, education, and career growth. Ultimately, this support transforms a high-risk transition into an opportunity for long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
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Our Method: What to Expect

Connect

Plan

Practice

Progress

Before we push goals, we build trust.

  • Establish a consistent coaching relationship,
  • Identify immediate needs and barriers, and
  • Learn what’s working, what’s not, and what support actually feels helpful.

We create a clear, realistic plan based on your current situation.

  • Set goals across education, employment, housing, and life skills, 
  • Break goals into simple next steps that are obtainable, and 
  • Identify resources, supports, and timelines.

We don’t just talk about growth, we practice it.

  • Coaching sessions that lead to real action steps,
  • Skill-building that fits your season of life, and 
  • Accountability, follow-through, and problem-solving support. 

We track movement, adjust the plan when necessary, and reinforce wins.

  • Document progress toward outcomes, 
  • Review what’s changing or what still needs support, and
  • Strengthen routines and next-step thinking.