NextUp
Program Eligibility
NextUp eligibility extends to all forms of foster care, including kinship care, Kin-GAP (Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment), probation, and other types of foster care.
NextUp Eligibility Guidelines
You must submit documentation verifying you were in a court-ordered placement at least one day between the ages of 13-25 years old.
Review the verification section to review a list of acceptable verification documentation
How do I know if I am eligible for NextUp?
Here are additional guiding questions you can ask yourself to determine if you might be eligible for our foster youth program -
- Are you currently in foster care?
- Have you ever been in foster care at least one day between 13 - 26 years old?
- Were you ever removed from your biological family at least one day by an order of the court between 13-26 years old?
- Were placed through the foster care system by an order of the court for a minimum of one day between 13-26 years old?
- You were placed through the foster care system by an order of the court for a minimum of one day with foster parents, a group home, or with relatives or other extended family members?
- Did you ever live with someone other than your parents by an order of the court for at least one day between 13 - 26 years old?
- Did you regularly attend court to discuss who you would live with between 13 - 26 years old?
- Did you have an attorney or other court appointed representative who has helped determine who you will live with between 13 - 26 years old?
- Have you ever lived in a group home between 13 - 26 years old?
If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, you may be eligible to participate in NextUp. Please submit documentation showing proof of court-ordered placement.
Foster Care Definitions
Foster Home Placement - involves a child being placed by a court order with a non-relative caregiver
Kinship Care - involves a child being placed with a relative, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other family member, while under the supervision of the child welfare system.
Kin-GAP (Kinship Guardian Assistance Payment) - this program provides financial assistance to relatives who become the legal guardians of a child who was formerly in foster care.
Probation - Youth under the jurisdiction of the delinquency court (probation). If you were in foster care at age 18 or earlier and transitioned to "transition jurisdiction" after completing your probation, you are considered a non-minor dependent.