Empowering Transitions

Occupational Therapy’s Role in Supporting Youth Aging Out of Foster Care

By Juliet Thomas, OTS, and Ashley Wagner, OTD, OTR/L

Growing up and moving out on our own can be a daunting experience. Managing finances, maintaining a daily routine, navigating jobs, and taking care of a home can all feel overwhelming. For youth in foster care, this transition to adulthood often brings additional uncertainty and fear as they lose the support of the child welfare system.

Many young people in foster care feel unprepared to navigate life on their own. The transition to adulthood—combined with the loss of services and connections to case managers—can be intimidating. Before they age out of foster care, it is crucial to equip them with the skills and confidence needed for independent living and long-term success.

How Occupational Therapy Supports Youth in Transition

Occupational therapy (OT) is a therapeutic service that helps individuals problem-solve barriers, develop skills, and adjust their environments or routines to achieve personal goals and enhance overall well-being. At FamilyForward, our occupational therapists specialize in understanding how trauma and adversity impact learning, sensory regulation, and social comfort. Using this expertise, we help teens in foster care build confidence in essential independent living skills, including education, employment, health management, financial literacy, and social engagement.

With a holistic and client-centered approach, FamilyForward’s occupational therapists collaborate with youth to address skills they identify as priorities. Key focus areas include:

Independent Living Skills

• Planning meals that meet their sensory, cultural, and nutritional needs.
• Budgeting for groceries and practicing safe food preparation and storage.
• Designing and maintaining a living space that reflects their identity and supports mental well-being.
• Paying bills on time and managing debt effectively.
• Creating a daily schedule to balance obligations and self-care.

Continuing Education & Career Preparation

• Establishing routines and organizational strategies for success in school or the workplace.
• Developing regulation techniques to stay calm during job interviews.
• Practicing interview skills, including asking questions to determine if a job is the right fit.

Social Skills & Community Integration

• Finding social opportunities that align with their interests and comfort level.
• Learning to navigate public transportation to increase social and work opportunities.
• Identifying safety strategies for different social situations.

Health & Wellness

• Practicing how to schedule medical appointments and communicate with healthcare providers.
• Managing medications and understanding prescriptions.
• Increasing health literacy to recognize physical and mental health needs and seek appropriate professional support.

No matter what area of independent living a teen and their caregivers want to strengthen, FamilyForward’s occupational therapists are here to support them during this critical transition. Our hands-on approach to skill development, combined with a holistic understanding of how each teen’s unique identity shapes their goals, helps build confidence for the journey into adulthood.

Learn more about FamilyForward’s occupational therapy services here.