Preparing Youth for Adulthood Program

The Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA) initiative was created and designed to better address the needs of young adults aging out of foster care and to empower older youth to be more engaged in their Court process. CASAs support PYA youth in the transition to adulthood, working with youth on life skills such as budgeting, time management, professional development, and forming a positive identity. PYA youth additionally have the opportunity for biannual meetings with their Judge. PYA youth are typically identified by judges due to their high engagement and initiative.

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PYA's Core Purpose

VISION 

Empowering youth to create their own dynamic life plans, formulate their own objectives, and achieve individual goals on the path to adulthood and future success.

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MISSION

The Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA) Initiative seeks to change the outcomes of transitional aged youth by identifying youth’s individual strengths, needs, supporting the development of essential life skills, and building community connections with the assistance of a CASA volunteer. 

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VALUES

PYA values the endless amount of possibilities for transitional aged youth, and in transitional aged youths’ ability to identify their own paths in pursuit of their best selves.

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Features of PYA program​

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• ​PYA Preparations Meetings, which provide unique 1 on 1 time with Judge

• Quarterly workshops aimed at improving attendance and follow-through, setting and meeting goals, teamwork, self-advocacy and passion.

• Incentive Program

• 21st Commemorative Event celebrating their success and the next chapter of their lives

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PYA CASA Volunteers

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Interested in becoming a PYA CASA Volunteer? A PYA case may be right for you if:

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• You would like to serve an older youth 

• You are interested in building life skills in preparation for adulthood

• You wish to further empower an engaged youth

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Contact:

Tashana Pullam

Manager, Transitional Youth

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(Opportunities) Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA) Program Assistant:

Job Summary:

The Program Assistant will provide support and assist in the implementation and growth of the Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA) Program. They will provide support to the PYA Program Manager working on projects and offer administrative support by processing program referrals, answering emails, providing supervision to youth, and booking speakers for workshop events. The PYA Program Assistant may perform research, create training documents, and data entry tasks along with other jobs assigned by the PYA Program Manager. 

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Interviews and trains new PYA alumni staff

• Support and oversees the workflow of the youth in the PYA Alumni group

• Assist in the implementation of training and supervision of PYA Alumni members

• Assist in supervising and supporting PYA Alumni members

• Assist in managing PYA program email for referrals and workshop events

• Assist in researching articles for trends and best practices for supporting older youth population

• Assist in performing data entry task for program evaluation and effectiveness

• Accompany Program Manager at committee meetings and take notes during meetings

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Strong supervisory and leadership skills

• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate

Education & Experience:

• A minimum of 1 year in college or currently in college

• At least 1-year related experience required

• At least 1-year of related experience working with the older youth population

Additional Information:

• Minimum of 10 hours per week

• This opportunity is an unpaid internship

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Contact Tashana Pulliam at tpulliam@casadc.org for additional information regarding this opportunity.