INDEPENDENT LIVINGOnce a child in the care of Native Child and Family Services turns 16, he or she can leave the care of the agency to live independently. If a child is a permanent or Crown Ward, he or she is entitled to remain in our care voluntarily until the age of 18. At that time, he or she can enter into an extended care and maintenance agreement (ECM) with us until the age of 21. This is a crucial transition period for the young people in our care, as they move from foster care or residential care to independent living. They have the same needs as all youth preparing for independence, but often face additional challenges related to the issues that brought them into care in the first place. We provide a variety of services to our youth as they strive for independence, including:
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