Young Adult Services

Our support services and mentor program is designed to aid foster care youth between the ages of 16 and 21 who have or will be transitioning out of Arizona State or Tribal Foster Care. We provide skills and support to more than 1,000 youth and young adults in their transition into independence each year by assisting them in gaining skills for self-sufficiency.

Thrive Mentor Program

Why Mentor?

Studies have found that mentored youth (those who reported having a mentor before the age of 18 years and for at least two years) with meaningful adult connections did better on self-reports of overall health, educational attainment, physical aggression, suicide risk, and risk of sexually transmitted infection than did non-mentored foster care youth.
Mentors can help a young person:
- Reduce rates of homelessness, incarceration and teen pregnancy
- Increase graduation and job stability
- Enhance social skills and healthy adult connections

Who are the mentees?

16 and 17-year-old males and females
Have expressed wanting a mentor
Participate in our Independent Living Program
Currently under DCS custody
Reside in group homes, foster homes, respite homes, kinship homes, residential treatment centers, and transitional living placements located throughout the state
Youth are matched with their mentor based on interests and location

What does it take to become a mentor?

Be at least 21 years of age
Have at least one-year experience working with teens
Be able to pass a background check and acquire a level one fingerprint clearance card
Attend an in-person interview
Attend initial and on-going trainings
Be able to commit to a two-year relationship with your mentee
Be available, supportive, compassionate, and consistent with your mentee

Get started!
Click here to complete the inquiry form and we’ll contact you via phone or email to answer any questions you may have. Otherwise, please use the links below to complete your application based on your location.

Southern Arizona Application

Central Arizona Application

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Glascom at mentor@arizonaschildren.org or call 1.844.747.1533. Thank you!

Having a mentor is more than seeing someone every 2 weeks. It’s a friend. Whenever you feel alone or sad you can always talk to them. When I started the mentoring program I thought it was going be more rules to tell me what to do. It’s not like that though; the mentoring program is fun, helpful, and provides someone I can count on. It’s more than a program to me. It’s two people becoming friends.”
– Jasmine, Program Participant

Living Skills Training

We provide skills training to youth/young adults 16-20 who are still involved with State or Tribal Foster Care. Living Skills Training (LST) prepares current and former foster care recipients for adult living by teaching interpersonal and daily living skills.

For more information about this service, please contact us at YAS@arizonaschildren.org.

Transitional Independence

We provide Case Management for young adults ages 18-20 who were previously involved in State or Tribal Foster Care at some point after age 16. These young adults are no longer involved with the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) and must self-refer. The purpose of the Transitional Independent Living Program (TILP) is to provide appropriate support and services to assist former foster care recipients in developing and maintaining stable living situations.

If you are a young adult who wants to learn more about participating in TILP, please call 480.247.1413 or complete the contact form at the link below:

Information Request Form

Empowered Young Parents Program

We offer one-on-one support services to young mothers, fathers, and their children and specialize in resources for those who have experienced foster care or the juvenile court system. We can help with parenting skills and training, financial independence, health care, employment, education (grants/funding), counseling, and community resources.

If you are a parent between the ages of 12-24 and are currently, or formerly, involved in the foster care or juvenile court system, you may be eligible for free services. For more information, please complete the contact form at the link below:

Information Request Form