The Transitional Age Youth Consolidated Approach
V.I.T.A.L.: Activating potential in young adults to build success, justice, and lead change.
Section 1: An overview of V.I.T.A.L.
Read the core values, key practice principles, and core practices.
See the V.I.T.A.L. graphic (PDF)
Section 2: Practice guide
Practice stage: Engagement and assessment.
2.1. Youth Engagement and Assessment (PDF)
2.2. Family Engagement and Transitional Age Youth (PDF)
Practice Stage: Youth-driven transition preparation
2.3. Educational Planning for Transitional Age Youth (PDF)
2.4. Financial Capability in Transitional Age Youth (PDF)
2.5. Employment and Career Development (PDF)
2.6. Health and Wellness Guide for Transitional Age Youth (PDF)
2.7. Establishing Lifelong Relationships with Supportive Adults and Peers (PDF)
2.8. Skill Building in Transitional Age Youth (PDF)
2.9. Planning for New Living Arrangements (PDF)
2.10. Accessing Supports for Substance Misuse and Behavioral Health Needs (PDF)
2.11 Supporting Specialized Cohorts
2.11a. Engaging, Empowering, and Supporting Young Fathers (PDF)
2.11b. Diverting Young Adults from the Criminal Justice System (PDF)
2.11c. Supporting Young Adults in Correctional Settings (PDF)
2.11e. Supporting Youth Identifying as LGBTQI+ (PDF)
2.11f. Assisting Young Persons Missing from Care-Supplemental Materials (PDF)
2.11g. Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Transitional Age Youth (PDF)
2.11h. Planning with Young Persons Referred to Adult State Agencies (PDF)
2.11i. Supporting Undocumented Young Persons (PDF)
Practice Stage: Launch
2.12. Transition Planning and Declining Services (PDF)
2.13. Securing Safe and Stable Housing (PDF)
Practice Stage: Re-Entry
DCF may offer a youth who was committed as of the youth's 18th birthday and subsequently left DCF care the opportunity to re-enter the services post majority program at DCF.
A youth may apply for re-entry if the youth:
- was committed as abused, neglected or uncared for at the time of their 18th birthday
- left DCF care after age 18, but before age 21
- is not married
- is not on active duty with any of the armed forces.
If you are interested in re-entery services, contact the DCF Careline: 1-800-842-2288
Section 3. Additional V.I.T.A.L. Tools and Resources
3.1 Supplemental Tip Sheets and Resource Documents
3.1a Positive Youth Development (PDF)
3.1b. Establishing Youth-Adult Partnerships (PDF)
3.1c. Building Resiliency and Grit in Young Adults (PDF)
3.1d. Supporting Healthy Relationships (PDF)
3.1e. Building Self-Confidence in Young Adults (PDF)
3.1f. Self-Advocacy: Access to Youth Ambassadors and Youth Advisory Boards (PDF)
3.1g. Supporting Authentic Youth Engagement (PDF)
3.1h. Omega Assessment Instrument (PDF)
3.1j Youth Launch Inventory (DOCX)
3.1k. Community Housing Employment Enrichment Resources (CHEER) Definition (PDF)
3.1l. Community Housing Assistance (CHAP) Program Definition (PDF)
3.1n. Services Post Majority (SPM) Administrative Requirements (PDF)
3.1p. Adolescent Parent Program (PDF)
3.1q. Appointment of Health Care Representative for Youth (PDF)
3.1r. Restorative Justice and Young Adults (PDF)
3.2. V.I.T.A.L. Coaching Opportunities (PDF)
3.3. V.I.T.A.L. Resources for Youth and their Caregivers
3.5. V.I.T.A.L. Logic Model (PDF)
3.6. Data Snapshot — Transitional Age Youth 2021 (PDF)
3.7. Goals and Objectives (PDF)
3.8. Table of Anticipated Outcomes (PDF)
3.9. V.I.T.A.L. Development Timeline (PDF)
3.10. V.I.T.A.L. Practice Model Strategy Table (PDF)
3.11. V.I.T.A.L. Proposed Implementation Timeline (PDF)
Section 4. V.I.T.A.L. Policy
Please see Chapter 28 - Adolescent and Transitional Age Supports on our policy page for all current V.I.T.A.L. Policies
Section 5. V.I.T.A.L. Foundational Briefs
5.1. Development Within the Context of Racism (PDF)
5.3. Brain Development and Adolescence (PDF)
5.4. Transitional Age Youth and LGBTQI+ Identity (PDF)