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September 15, 2020
Catholic Charities, DOM LifeSet team virtually prepares for the launch of LifeSet in New Jersey on October 1, 2020.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s Acting Executive Director Julio Coto is pleased to announce the launch of the Youth Villages LifeSet Program in Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset, and Union Counties. Made possible through a partnership between Catholic Charities and New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families (DCF), the LifeSet program is a bridge to successful adulthood for young people transitioning from foster care.
Following an evidence-based model, utilizing motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy, young people are encouraged to set goals and make their own decisions while guided by specialists who model life skills and positive behaviors. The specialists are available 24/7, and also meet with the young people weekly to address goals related to areas such as educational achievement, financial stability, household management, and building healthy relationships. In these ways, program participants will learn the skills necessary to live stable, productive, and rich lives, and are guided toward self-sufficiency.
"In the child welfare arena, we strive to develop connections for the young people in our care, so that they have a loving, stable relationship to turn to for support after transitioning out of the foster care system," said NJ DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer, MSW. "The LifeSet model of services for transition-age youth is a data-proven curriculum in concrete life skills and healthy relationship coaching that uses individualized interventions and supports to achieve positive results and promote independent living. We're looking forward to partnering with Catholic Charities to welcome the LifeSet model into New Jersey, in order to empower aging out youth with a safe, stable launchpad into adulthood."
Program Director Tova Baron-Loewenstein stated, “Youth who have grown up in the foster care system are particularly vulnerable during their transition to adulthood, as many do not have the experience, knowledge, and familial relationships to assist them in their decision making and planning. We are excited for this opportunity to enter their lives as supportive adults and help them get set for life.”
Catholic Charities is proud to partner with DCF and Youth Villages as all partners are focused on supporting today’s young adults. Last year, Catholic Charities provided 15,191 hours of direct service to youth in their Partial Care program, served over 1,200 families through their Children’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services program, and collectively, the agency provided 172,000 hours of service to people in our communities.
The LifeSet model was created by Youth Villages. Since 1999, Youth Villages LifeSet has helped more than 20,000 young people aging out of state custody or other care arrangements successfully transition to independence. New Jersey is set to be the 18th state in the United States to implement this evidence-based program aimed at helping youth 17-22 years old to achieve personal and social growth and to foster lifelong relationships with trusted adults.
Acting Executive Director, Julio Coto, stated, “We are very excited and proud to be one of the first agencies selected to bring the LifeSet model to the state of New Jersey. The LifeSet model aligns with Catholic Charities’ mission of providing quality services with dignity and respect to all people in need.”
The Catholic Charities LifeSet program will serve 40 youth in the four counties. The youth typically participate in the program for 6-12 months, based on their needs. The pilot program has officially started and youth will begin receiving services on October 1, 2020.
