New Directions
Our transitional housing program, New Directions, provides housing and Independent Living Skills training and supplementary services for youth (ages 18–25 and their children) who are transitioning out of the foster care system into independent living. Each youth served is provided with a fully furnished apartment located in San Diego County and receives rent payment support enabling them to learn budgeting skills and adapt to maintaining their own stable housing.
New Directions includes housing and services for emancipated or current youth in foster care who are pregnant and/or parenting. In addition, New Directions also provides all youth residents with:
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Basic necessities
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Case management, including trauma-informed support for overall medical and mental healthcare needs
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Connections to employment, education opportunities, and career planning services
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Money management, self-sufficiency, and Independent Living Skills training, including nutrition and cooking classes
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Monthly grocery and transportation gift cards
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Emancipation fund management services
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Relationship mediation services
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Optional matched financial savings program
In San Diego County, two of every 1,000 children enter foster care as survivors of child abuse. Common repercussions of these experiences affecting foster youth into adulthood include physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral health issues, academic challenges, social and economic hardships, and intergenerational risks.
Program and Facility
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Started in June 2008
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Fully furnished and equipped apartments in Vista, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Marcos
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Housing for individuals, parents, and their children
Eligibility and Fees
Participants are referred by San Diego County Child Welfare Services. Teens from Casa de Amparo’s Residential Services may be referred as well. Potential participants can self-refer by contacting New Directions to determine eligibility. Participants contribute to reduced rent on a graduated plan.
