Youth and young adults who have experienced extended time in foster care are at increased risk of negative consequences once they leave care. This includes dropping out of school, unplanned parenthood, high rates of untreated illness, homelessness, criminal activity, depression and suicide.
To improve outcomes, the North Carolina Foster Care Independence Program (NC LINKS) provides services and resources to:
- Youth and young adults currently or formerly in foster care, ages 13-17
- Young adults who are between the ages of 18-21 and are participating in foster care, ages 18 to 21
- Young adults who aged out of foster care at age 18 and are not participating in foster care, ages 18 to 21
Youth ages 13-21 who are or were in foster care may request LINKS services from their county Department of Social Services. Read more about NC LINKS policies in the Permanency Planning Manual.
The NC LINKS Program
The North Carolina Foster Care Independence Program (NC LINKS) is a state-funded program designed to help young adults who have experienced foster care successfully transition to adulthood. It provides support and resources to youth who are either currently in foster care or who have aged out of the system.
A youth or young adult will receive LINKS services or funding if they are willing and active participants in the assessment, planning, and service implementation. Those who refuse services can later change their minds if they are still eligible.
The youth or young adult and their caregiver must complete an assessment of the youth's strengths, as well as their needs for further information and training. Based on the assessment, a LINKS Coordinator will create a plan with the youth or young adult. This plan will include the young person’s interests, goals, and their responsibilities for fulfilling the plan, which outlines services designed to help the young adult achieve positive outcomes.
Limited funding is available to reimburse county Departments of Social Services for expenditures made on behalf of NC LINKS participants. County Departments of Social Services are required to offer LINKS services to children and young adults in DSS custody.
If you or someone you know needs this service, please contact your local Department of Social Services and ask for the foster care supervisor or LINKS coordinator.
The Education Training Voucher Program
The Education Training Voucher Program (ETV) provides grants of up to $5,000 a year toward the costs of attendance for college or vocational training for students who are eligible for the LINKS program and youth who were:
- In foster care on or after their 17th birthday
- Adopted from foster care on or after their 16th birthday
- Entered a kinship guardianship placement from foster care on or after their 16th birthday
- Age 16 or older and exited foster care by legal guardianship, and be a
- U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen, and
- At least 18 yrs. of age to apply
This program is federally funded and state-administered. The grant award is up to $5,000 per year (up to 5 years or until the recipient's 26th birthday). The funding can be utilized for in-state and out-of-state public and private institutions. ETV funds can be combined with other grants and/or scholarships.
Applicants may reapply for ETV funds if they have a current grant, up to the age of 26. A student can receive ETV funding for a maximum of five (5) years, consecutive or intermittent.
Start the ETV application. If you have any questions, please contact: ETVandNCReachprogram@dhhs.nc.gov.
NC Reach
NC Reach is a state-funded scholarship offered to qualified applicants for study at NC public universities and community colleges.
NC Reach is a post-secondary educational scholarship. Available funding is awarded to students after all other financial aid, public funds, and scholarships have been processed and applied to their accounts. NC Reach provides comprehensive student support to help all students be able to navigate their post-secondary education who were:
- Adopted from NC foster care on or after their 12th birthday; or
- Exited foster care to a permanent home through guardianship with the support of the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP) at the age of 14; or,
- Aged out of NC foster care; and are
- A legal resident of North Carolina to be eligible for in-state tuition rates, and are
- Enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits in a NC public community college or university.
This grant award is for up to four (4) years of undergraduate study at NC public universities and community colleges and provides comprehensive case management with student support. Students may qualify for funding through age 25. NC Reach funding cannot be utilized at private or out-of-state colleges and universities.
Apply for NC Reach. For questions, contact ETVandNCReachprogram@dhhs.nc.gov.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that students fill out to apply for financial aid to help pay for college. It is required to determine eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs.
All students planning to pursue post-secondary education and seeking financial assistance should complete the FAFSA form. It is free to submit.
The form is the primary application for federal student aid by gathering students' personal and family financial information to determine a student’s eligibility for various types of financial aid, including federal grants, work-study programs, and loans, as well as state and institutional aid.
Foster Care 18 to 21 Program
The Foster Care 18-21 Program is an NC program that allows youth who were in care at age 18 to continue receiving foster care services and support until they turn 21.
The program helps youth transition into their independence by providing ongoing support, including financial assistance, case management, and access to resources for education, employment and housing. An individual who has reached 18 years of age but is not yet 21 years of age, and was in foster care upon his/her 18th birthday, may be eligible for foster care services if they:
- Enrolled in secondary education
- Enrolled in postsecondary or vocational education
- Participated in a program or activity designed to promote or remove barriers to employment
- Were employed for at least 80 hours per month; or
- Are incapable of completing the educational or employment requirements due to a medical condition or a disability.
For more information on the Foster Care 18 to 21 Program, please contact your local Department of Social Services.
Medicaid for Former Foster Care
Young adults ages 18 to 26 who aged out of foster care may be eligible for Medicaid and can apply for Medicaid coverage at the county Department of Social Services where they reside.